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.

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!