Going back to Michigan for the Waterfront Film Festival was a homecoming for me. I grew up in Royal Oak, Michigan and get back about once a year to visit family. Here was a chance for me to visit with family, old friends and filmmakers. The fest is actually in Saugatuck, Michigan, a resort community on a lake just outside of Grand Rapids. The fest’s focus is squarely focused on emerging indie filmmakers and includes features, documentaries and shorts. But Waterfront’s program is also unique in that it not only represents the best of a new generation of regional festivals cropping up all over the country, the fest presents special programs like this year’s Midwest Action film series. I love it when a festival bucks conventions and actually tries something creative like putting together a program that includes a film genre that stuffy cinephiles may look down on. I had an amazing time, as you’ll see from the pictures, and I definitely plan on coming back. Thanks again to fest organizers, Dana and Hopwood Depree who really put together an impressive program of films and activities and I already can’t wait for next year.
For more info, head on over to the official Waterfront Film Festival web site.
Get more of the festival fun in WATERFRONT: THE CHAMPAGNE CRUISE>>>
