DIA Film Screening at Stony Creek

 

The Detroit Institute of Arts' Detroit Film Theatre [DFT], along with Mi Community Media [MiCM], is delighted to produce Summer Cinema Evenings in cooperation with the Huron Clinton Metroparks. The series will be held at Stony Creek Metropark on Friday and Saturday, August 19 and 20. It is sponsored by the DIA/DFT and MiCM, which is the new community media center and home of WBRW for Romeo, Washington, and Bruce.

MiCM's Managing Director, Diane Hellner, recently sat down with eMacomb staff to talk about the event and how it came to be.

 

Q.  What is Summer Cinema Evenings with the DFT all about?

 

A.  Being a big fan of both the DIAs' DFT and the annual Traverse City Film Festival's outdoor movie space, I thought that by combining the two venue aspects locally, at Stony Creek Metropark, we could offer the communities a unique movie-going experience. A family-friendly event, it is also modeled after drive-in theaters, giving moviegoers an opportunity to enjoy feature films under the stars.

Everyone is welcome to bring blankets, chairs, food and beverages, beer and wine (no glass). Movies will be shown at dusk on a 60-foot screen against the natural vista of Stony Creek’s Baypoint Beach. Day passes cost $5/vehicle. There is no cost for Huron Clinton Metropark pass holders. The park entrance is located at 4300 Park Road, Shelby Township, MI  48316; west of Mound Rd. on 26 Mile.

Bringing the DIA’s DFT to Stony Creek was also conceived as a goodwill collaborative between Detroit and its surrounding communities. It dovetails nicely with the current DIA marketing initiative, "Inside Out," creating the potential to attract people who otherwise might not venture into the parks or the Detroit Film Theatre.

 

Q.  How is this related to your work at the Romeo Film Production Office?

A. Summer Cinema Evenings will feature winning entrants of this year's Romeo Student Film Festival. Each of the student films spotlights Romeo, Washington and Bruce Townships as ideal locations for the motion picture industry to shoot and produce movies. They feature settings and situations that viewers may recognize. This event was created by the DIA and MiCM to expand the DFT's ability to spotlight great films in exceptional locations and to generate enthusiasm and local involvement in the film industry.

 

Q. When will the student film festival begin? Is there a deadline for submissions?

A. The Romeo Student Film Festival is taking submissions now through August 7. Students are being asked to create a 3 - 6 minute short film that features at least one of the three communities of Romeo, Washington or Bruce Township. Entrants must be residents of Michigan and currently enrolled in a middle school, high school or college/university. Minors submitting entries must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. Visit www.romeofpo.com for additional info and entry form.

 

Q. What do you need to make this first-ever film screening a success?

A. What we need most is for everyone to attend the event and experience the DFT in this great outdoor space. We're also seeking funding. MiCM is requesting persons, businesses, and local community governments to help fund this event. We're asking for volunteers to help. Please contact MiCM by calling 586.281.3051. This is very much a community effort!

 

Q. Do you have sponsors lined up already?  Who are they?

A. Primary funding for the series is from the DFT through a grant from JP Morgan Chase. This will cover the expense of securing film rights as well as associated marketing and advertising. Operational costs of $18,000 include the large screen format and supporting audio visual equipment and are being underwritten, in part, by the Huron Clinton Metroparks and MiCM as well as Outdoor Movies, the event's audiovisual company. To date, the townships of Washington, Shelby, and Bruce have all contributed funding. Other communities are pending. As MiCM strives to meet the goal of raising $18,000, any sized contributions will be gladly accepted.

 

Q. How can people get in touch if they want to get involved?

A. Contact MiCM by calling us directly at 586.281.3051 during our business hours, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., or contact Nannette at ngriffin@micommunitymedia.org.

 

Q. How can people stay informed about the event?

A. Watch for updates on MiCM's local cable access station, WBRW TV, which is channel 6 for Romeo, Washington, and Bruce residents. You can also visit our Facebook page. Watch for the DIAs' DFT promotions on their website, www.dia.org, as well as through their social media networks.