So I’d been meaning to write a roundup of Ann Arbor microcinema offerings when I find out a few weeks ago that the Current has gone and done their own little “Cheap and Free Film” writeup. Well, turns out they missed a few things, and not just the Bluish Barn. (Actually, we’re trying not to promote our screenings much until the Summer, when we can handle more guests.) Anyway, here’s a slightly more exhaustive list of alternative movie options in and around Ann Arbor. All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
The Smithee Award Ceremony is held (semi-?)annually in Ann Arbor. The Smith-ka-teers present scenes from the year’s worst films and audience members vote for the winners in several hilarious categories. I went to the last one, and let me tell you, this is a rollicking good time, especially for dorks like me.
A few microcinema options might have been left out of the Current’s article because they don’t appear to be screening much at the present moment. But check the websites of Projectorhead and Cinema Guild for more information, because both of these student groups has been up to much good in the past.
Also not mentioned: WCBN hosts Free Movie Night on the second Tuesday of every month (this semester at least) at Live @ PJ’s.
Cinema Slam, in addition to screening mostly local short films at the Screening Room of the Michigan Theater the second Tuesday of each month (tickets are $5), also has some part in running the Microcinema Gallery in the lobby of the Michigan Theater. The Microcinema Gallery screens “work by visual artists working with moving pictures around the world”, especially work “which would be more appropriate in a gallery setting”. Local filmmakers are encouraged to submit your own work to both of these venues.
This one’s almost too obvious to mention, but the Ann Arbor Summer Festival’s screens big family-friendly Hollywood hits during Top of the Park from June 15 - July 8th outside at Ingalls Mall, in front of Rackham Auditoriium. Bands play before the films.
And here again are the rest of the offerings that the Current’s article did mention:
EMU Office of Campus Life screens “big movies before they’re on DVD” now through April at the EMU Student Center Auditorium Friday nights and Monday middays. FREE for EMU students, faculty, staff, and their family and friends all fall and winter semesters. Schedule.
M-Flicks, the U-M student group, screens anything “from special sneak previews to older (20+ year old) classics” during Fall and Winter semesters at various campus locations, usually Angell Hall and the Natty Sci.
The Center for Japanese Studies screens Japanese films well-curated into various Series during the U-M Fall semester at Askwith Auditorium in Lorch Hall.
The Center for Chinese Studies screens Chinese films occasional Saturdays 7pm at Angell Hall Auditorium A. Schedule.
The Center for Russian and Eastern European Studies sometimes has a Film Series as part of their department events. This term it’s three Wednesdays in March 7pm at Angell Hall Auditorium A.
And then there’s our house, which screens whatever the hell we feel like screening during 8-10-week programs each season, usually Thursdays 9pm.
Let me know if I’ve left anything out or gotten anything wrong.
