So why do we do it? Why do put in the hours for no pay? Is it because we love where we live and want to see interest and growth and economic development? Yes. That’s part of it. But bottom line is that we love the art. We believe in it and it’s impact. We love visual storytelling because it’s both a deeply human impulse and the most powerful way to communicate the values of a community or your “message” to the next generation.

Why? Because the family genre is not just about kids anymore. It’s older teens, parents of children and childless adults. Over the past decade, box-office numbers have proven that it’s the most profitable, the most attended, and the most “up” in production output versus its R-rated counterparts. It’s people who don’t want the excessive Hollywood “gish” that creates a cringe-factor.

A writer from one of the business journals stated “…the key will be an open-minded, nonjudgmental view of what family friendly means. If we’re looking at only films kids can see — it’s bedtime for the whole idea. If we’re looking at films that teenagers and their parents should see together, then I would challenge the committee choosing these films to consider an example — Juno.”

Would Juno be considered? Yes. It’s storyline about teen pregnancy and adoption, along with its production value are indeed an A+. But it is not suitable for all ages. Personally, I felt it was a little too neat and tidy without long term consequential impact, but indeed thought provoking. The business journal writer goes on in her editorial to say this genre of movies should “have an edge and challenge viewers….to chew over the themes and ideas, battle with the characters’ choices, and discuss — with our families — what we would have done if faced with the same problems.”

I couldn’t have said it better.

There are a number of categories that span the spectrum of film genres — from feature length and documentary, to animation and music video.  Check out the Filmmakers section of the site for more details.  And remember, the deadline is July 17!  Visit http://www.grfilmfestival.com to get your questions answered.  We can’t wait to see you in August!

All that to say, every film festival has its own “filters” whether it’s spelled out or not. It’s judged by humans, and therefore filtered through the preferences, convictions or standards of those screening the films. It’s what’s called “subjective objectivity.” To say it doesn’t exist is ignorance. In the case of the civil war example above, we felt the graphic violence was not “excessive.” (again, subjective objectivity).

Some may think the glass is half-empty, I like to think of it as half full. With all the studies done (even the recent article about “Night at the Museum”) that are proving the “gish” of Hollywood as considerably less profitable, less attended and even down in production output versus it’s more family-oriented counterparts, I view us as perpetuating a trend, not squelching creativity or acquiescing to a paradigm of festival “typical.”

We’ve thought through a bunch of different names and kept coming back to our own hometown. It’s that simple.

Other films?  Well, yes, some are lacking and may not make it due to a lack of artistic expression, lighting, story, cinematography, you name it.    But watching some of these submittals is indeed fun, entertaining and encouraging.  We continue to get films from all over.  We’re excited as our inaugural year is off to a good start.  We ‘re learning as we go.  Thank you for hanging with us!

So this year we decided….let’s just do it.  Let’s pick a date, get a venue and just jump off this cliff and the free fall will force us to get organized and make it happen.  If we don’t jump, it will never happen.  So, we’re falling…and it’s happening.  We’re excited about the venture and the growing enthusiasm and vision for the first annual Grand Rapids Film Festival.  We’ve got great sponsors and underwriters, and our goal is to have great films (action, adventure, comedy, drama, romance, whatever…) that aren’t the typical Hollywood-type gish filled with gratuitous sex or extreme profanity and violence.  We want movies, documentaries, short films, animation projects, that inspire and challenge.  Independent films that are message driven.

This first year we’re collaborating with Celebration Cinemas because they’re a great organization and have a great venue.  Being a large theater makes it expedient as well.  Our vision, however, is to have the venue downtown next year at different locations.  The downtown experience will contribute to the atmosphere and continued momentum of a great film festival.  So come out.  Be part of the 1st Annual Grand Rapids Film Festival.  What a great way to wrap up your summer!