You're invited to the Farmington Film Festival for a day of Michigan shorts, networking, and a Michigan feature! The event begins with a Michigan Filmmakers Panel, a free event hosted by MiFIA.
We'll hold a panel discussion and Q&A with esteemed Michigan film industry professionals. MIFIA members are encouraged to stay for the Michigan Short Film Block and networking that follows. RSVP to let us know you're coming to the Filmmakers Panel!
RSVP TO ATTEND
PANELISTS INCLUDE
JOSH MALERMAN is the New York Times bestselling author of Bird Box, adapted into the smash-hit Netflix film starring Sandra Bullock, and Incidents Around the House, which becomes the film Other Mommy this October starring Jessica Chastain. He's also a singer-songwriter for Michigan band The High Strung, whose song serves as the theme for Showtime's "Shameless."
GEOFF GEORGE is an award-winning cinematographer and Michigan Film Industry Association board member who has shot for Nike, Ford, Cadillac, the NFL, Rocket Mortgage and Eminem, among others. His camera work includes Batman v. Superman, It Follows (2nd Unit DP), Beverly Hills Cop 4, and the Sundance-premiered short Raspberry, plus numerous other shorts and three features.
ARIEL ELLIS is an award-winning director specializing in emotional, character-driven storytelling across documentary, social impact, and commercial projects for clients including Pepsi, Crown Royal, and the Innocence Project. With a background in journalism and design, she blends raw moments with distinctive visual style exploring themes of identity, resilience, and community.
MITCH MCCABE is a Detroit-based filmmaker whose work has screened at Sundance, True/False, and New Directors/New Films, with their 2024 essay film 23 MILE winning the TruthDox Award at Dokufest. Their HBO documentary Youth Knows No Pain screened at IDFA and Lincoln Center, and they've directed branded content for Chrysler, Verizon, and major networks while teaching film at Ithaca College.
Stay after the Filmmakers Panel to take in all that the Farmington Film Festival has to offer on its Day 3:
4pm - Michigan Short Film Block - $10
Films include We Hope for Better Things by Gary Schwartz, Pure Magic by Natasha Beste, Sincerely, Sage Joe by Jacob Wilkins, The Girl Inside by Kate Bryan, Ana Sees Her Dad by Mark Broe, Tall Jesse by Adam Burns, Walking the Unknown by Aysha Jamali, That Bolex Thing by Paul Echeverria, and Resurgent Cineribus by Gary Schwartz
5:30pm - Film Industry Networking at Heights Brewing
With food and drink available for purchase. Show your ticket from the festival to receive half off your first drink and 10% off all food.
7pm - RESURGO, followed by a Q&A. - $10
A landmark documentary from director Stephen McGee and poet-producer Jessica Care Moore, created from twenty years of immersive filmmaking in Detroit. Drawing from millions of photographs and thousands of hours of footage, the film presents a powerful, people-centered portrait of a city defined by creativity, endurance, and humanity.
10:00 pm - Farmington Film Festival Afterparty
Lone Light Spirits and KickstART Gallery
