Community gratitude in Traverse City, Michigan

The Traverse City Film Festival, located at 232 East Front Street in Traverse City, Michigan, is a beloved movie theater institution that has been presenting one of the best film festivals in the country for nearly 20 years. The festival has brought top filmmakers from around the world to this charming town by the bay, engaging incredible audiences, volunteers, and donors. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the festival had one of its best seasons last summer, breaking even for the first time in years. After much heartfelt discussion, the decision has been made to close this era of the film fest on a high note, free from debt, and filled with fond memories. The focus will now shift to the historic downtown movie houses that were restored and rebuilt - the State Theatre and the Bijou by the Bay. The goal is to create a permanent "year-round TCFF" by providing great movies at these venues 365 days a year.