Michigan Theater by meanmustard1982
Create Detroit pulled together all the links surrounding this NPR feature on state lawmakers cutting funding for the Ann Arbor Film Festival for three years (at least), claiming it showed material they considered pornographic. It sounds as if there will be court battles over this. You should click over and check out all the links (including the Mackinac Center article that touched it off and the Festival's position), but this excerpt from the Film Festival's economic benefits page was especially thought-provoking:
The festival programming features a wide variety of viewpoints. Included are those from the far left or right political standpoints and avant-garde or mainstream themes, and documentaries which provide insights to other cultures and countercultures from around the world. In addition to accessible arts and cultures, the AAFF brings valued dollars to the local and state economy as well as recognition to Michigan on an international level.
Unfortunately, Michigan's reputation in the wider world seems to be more and more as a place of narrow tolerances. What's worse, at a time when we should be reading articles about how cool Michigan's film festivals are, we're getting coverage on the politics of it all.
Since we can't leave you on a down note like that, here's a nice article in the Hub on the opening of the East Lansing Film Festival that also explores how film festivals allow a "less corporate" and more dynamic presentation of films.
Since that's not enough cheer, how about some dueling YouTube featuring a feature on the Ann Arbor Film Fest with Todd Mundt and the merits of short film from the East Lansing Film Festival.
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