It all started in a bit of a scramble with us making some last minute changes to a piece we needed to deliver to the client the morning we needed to leave for the screening. We finally got the changes done and hopped in the car. We were driving like hell up I-75 and made it eventually, arriving to see a line forming around the block in the theatre where we would be screening in an hour.

Not too shabby. We picked up our credentials and entered the venue. We were taken to the green room which I had no clue what that was– turns out it’s the equivalent of a rock band’s backstage area with rolled up sandwiches, some ice cold IPA’s and practically anything else you could ask for. I had a couple beers, easily assimilating in to what seemed like the Hollywood treatment while the theatre filled up with people. Not long after our film was introduced along with the two shorts it screened with (“Maestra” and “My Neighborhood”— two great films with similarly aligned socially driven messaging). And that was that. We were on.

Audience response was positive, and the Q+A was quick and fruitful. Most of the questioning that came my way was how growth in the downtown core can affect the neighborhoods in Detroit. Obviously, there’s no surefire swift answer for that one, it’s tricky business. But the core of my answer revolved around it being very unclear where healthy large-scale growth and change in Detroit begins and ends– therefore we must start somewhere. But to stall growth seems silly. We need to try our hand at as much as we can.

We are also planning to start a program for upcoming music artist, for them to be able to promote their newest songs and future releases. SoundCloud is a fantastic platform for upcoming artists to promote their music, connect with fans, and build their careers in the music industry. Visit this website and order through their site some souncloud plays. 

Upon completion of the screening, the rest of the week was filled with Traverse City delight and a handful of really amazing films. Two of which I would reccomend everyone consider checking out when possible: First, “5 Broken Cameras” directed by Guy Davidi and Emad Burnat addressing the Palastinian and Israeli conflict. Second, “Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey”, directed by Ramona S. Díaz about the rock band Journey’s new Filipino lead singer that they found on YouTube.

More festival screenings and tour announcements are coming down the pipe soon!