News, Events & Festivals

A most impressive event occurred last weekend on the Wayne State University campus, and it can only get better as it expands in the future.

That would be the third annual Detroit Windsor International Film Festival (DWIFF). Its presence merely drives home the point that we definitely have a lot to be proud of in Michigan when it comes to embracing and creating independent films.

Local filmmakers also held their own in competition among worldwide productions.

Two all-Michigan-made films captured top honors on Sunday: "Annabelle & Bear" earned Best Detroit Windsor Feature; "Bilal's Stand" snagged Best Feature. A Dutch offering, "Grown in Detroit," focused on local pregnant teens who turn to urban gardening, and captured Best Documentary as well as Best International Film.

The DWIFF featured a TechFair at State Hall on Saturday, with a series of film screenings and premieres from through Sunday at the Welcome Center, Law building and Deroy Auditorium. Five categories covered more than 55 entries, including shorts, features, documentaries, children's, animation and commercials.

Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, who kicked off the event at a special WSU reception, heralded the industry and pledged his support to filmmaking in the state.

"What our job is, is to make sure that the next generation, a talented generation, chooses Michigan to learn the best that film has to offer," he said, adding that it's his goal to fight at keeping funding initiatives currently in place for such projects.

He was joined in that support by DWIFF Director of Operation Suzanne Janik, who lauded the industry's growth each year and credits the resulting successes for "putting Michigan on the map."

"The Wayne County Film Initiative has done an amazing job," she said, as she listed the county's generous help in procuring props, locations and actors as well as crew for movie making.

The Tech Fair provided classes in increments of an hour or more, covering subjects near and dear to the entertainment world.

Tommy Morris, a native Detroiter, gave instruction on how to create live operations, or live streaming. Morris procured the DetroitCity.TV idea and is growing in leaps and bounds as more and more of his talents are in demand.

"I would advise that if you plan to do this, pick a catchy name," he said, noting the handiness of his website moniker.

As he blazes more than one trail, often Morris is sometimes met by people trying to pull rank or throw authoritative attitude his way.

"Make sure you have some business structure, and understand the values of trademarks and copyrights in your work," he said. "Also, in terms of filming or transmitting someone's image, if they enter a room or an area with obvious cameras in use, it's a given they allow themselves to be filmed."