First Grand Rapids Film Festival Premieres August 26-28

First Grand Rapids Film Festival Premieres August 26-28

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Independent, foreign and documentary filmmakers along with area film enthusiasts, will converge in Grand Rapids August 26-28, 2009 for the first Grand Rapids Film Festival.

The inaugural event will take place at Celebration Cinema North and feature films by some of the best and brightest independent moviemakers from around the world. Organizers of the Grand Rapids Film Festival have chosen to focus on films that are message-driven and universally entertaining.

"Hollywood is seeing a paradigm shift in its audience. Box office numbers show people want a better film that doesn't expose them to gratuitous sex or excessive graphic violence," said Corey Niemchick, president of Storytelling Pictures and co-founder of the Grand Rapids Film Festival. "Studios are acknowledging that family films can go beyond the minivan set. The goal of the Grand Rapids Film Festival is to show great independent films that challenge, inspire and tell a great story."

Organizers are working on providing producers face-to-face opportunities to meet with publishers and potential distributors. A welcoming reception and awards ceremony are also planned. Film workshops and seminars may be scheduled this year and will be an integral part of future film festivals.

"Given the enthusiasm for the film industry in West Michigan, we are elated to have an all-new film festival for Grand Rapids," said Rick Hert, West Michigan Film Commissioner. "Festivals introduce moviegoers to a wide variety of independent films while helping film producers make direct connections with an audience. It also gives our West Michigan film industry an opportunity to showcase ourselves."

The final film line up will be announced in coming weeks. It will include 30 movies encompassing a variety of genres--independent films, foreign films, children's features, animated motion pictures, short films and others. The festival will utilize four screens at Celebration Cinema North, one of Loeks Theaters' flagship locations.

"We realize a festival is also about the venue experience," added Niemchick. "Celebration will be a wonderful venue for our first year, allowing us to get our feet wet by tackling the complexities of building a festival infrastructure, including relationships with filmmakers, judging, sponsorships and networking."

Niemchick said a 2010 festival is already expected to take place in downtown Grand Rapids, with several venues interested in taking part.

Admission to the Grand Rapids Film Festival will be $7 per screening, (excluding opening- and closing-night events). All-event passes will also be available. Tickets go on sale August 1 through the Celebration Cinema box office or online at www.celebrationcinema.com. $5 early-bird passes are available now.

Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting info@grfilmfestival.com. Festival volunteers may register online at www.grfilmfestival.org.

About the Grand Rapids Film Festival

The Grand Rapids Film Festival is committed to expanding the cultural awareness of film making and to perpetuate the creative talent of aspiring and professional filmmakers in Michigan's second-largest city. It is headed by a committee of West Michigan filmmakers, writers, artists and other creative professionals. Additional information is available at www.grfilmfestival.org.

Source: Grand Rapids Film Festival

CONTACT: Brian Burch of Lambert, Edwards & Associates, +1-616-233-0500,
bburch@lambert-edwards.com, for Grand Rapids Film Festival

Web Site: http://www.grfilmfestival.org/

-------
Profile: intent