by Tim Pulice
The 47th Ann Arbor Film Festival, taking place March 24-29, has announced its full schedule, remarkable in breadth and depth. Executive Director Donald Harrison held two press previews today, one in Ann Arbor and the other in Detroit. I had the pleasure of attending the former, and was pleased to see an enthusiastic turnout from area media. Having volunteered as a pre-screener for this year's festival, and most recently having assisted with media relations, I'm thrilled to see the quality of films and special programs that will greet audiences, as well as the AAFF's top-flight online presence.
The festival is presenting an array of special programs, including two Midwest premiere retrospectives that will showcase the late Bruce Conner, in addition to a live multimedia show -- "Adventures in Illegal Art" -- from Negativland frontman Mark Hosler, and Craig Baldwin's latest work, "Mock Up On You," which examines the conspiracy theories of L. Ron Hubbard, NASA, and Aleister Crowley. Recently announced is the AAFF exclusive, "An Evening with Don Hertzfeldt," at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 27, wherein the Academy Award-winning animator of "Rejected" will screen new work and engage the audience in an extended Q&A. Other highlights include "Automorphosis," which peers inside the unique world of "art cars" at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 28.
The Opening Night Gala and Screening launches six days of, in Harrison's words, "challenging, adventurous, risk-taking" narrative, documentary, animation, and experimental films, culled from 2,600+ submissions, a 25% increase over last year. Regarding animation, there is a "For Kids of All Ages" program at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, filled with inventive shorts ideal for young viewers. I've been to this internationally acclaimed festival many times but, having been so involved this year, I can attest that the 2009 presentation will be spectacular. Harrison and his staff have worked incredibly hard to make that happen, and are utterly passionate about this art form. Whether you're a festival veteran, or a first-timer, please consider taking in the creative vision of filmmakers from around the world. Festival and Weekend passes are now available for purchase online, your ticket to an important, vital gathering that you'll replay in your mind again and again.
