Various Locations in Detroit and Windsor
July 28-August 1, 2015
Media City Film Festival opens Tuesday July 28 at 8 pm, at the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (4454 Woodward) with performances from renowned trail-blazing US composer and saxophonist Matana Roberts, who recently opened the new Whitney Museum alongside first lady Michelle Obama and other dignitaries. Opening night will also feature live multi-projector performances by one of Britain’s most celebrated artists, Malcolm Le Grice.
This year’s celebration will showcase more than 60 filmmakers from around the world including historical films by legendary American pioneers Ken Jacobs, Barbara Hammer, Andy Warhol, and new films by artists from China, Thailand, Argentina, Portugal, Palestine, Spain, Colombia, Germany, Brazil, Iran, Austria, South Korea, and more.
The 21st Media City will also feature works by filmmakers from across the USA and Canada, along with a program of Regional Films, generously sponsored by the City of Windsor, including a film shot in 1978 on Regular 8mm offering historic views of Windsor courtesy of local artist / musician Scotty Hughes.
Festival staff are bracing for a very large number of out-of-town guests this year. Over 110 room nights are currently booked at downtown hotels, and Media City's Guest Services Coordinator has been working around the clock to find additional accommodations for the many cinema lovers travelling to Windsor from all corners of the globe.
“Media City is a truly unique festival, and the only film festival in the world that takes place on both sides of an international border. The festival is recognized and celebrated worldwide, and we are very proud to continue to feature so many significant artists and filmmakers here in Windsor each year. We’re very grateful for the support of a local and international community of cinema lovers.”, says Jeremy Rigsby, Media City Program Director.
All Media City Film Festival screenings and events are Pay What You Like or FREE. The FREE Opening Party in Windsor is Wednesday July 29 at 6 pm at the Capitol Theatre (121 University W.), and will feature drinks, light fare and remarks from this year's International Competition Jury; 2015 Guggenheim fellow Akosua Adoma Owusu, Havard Film Archive curator Jeremy Rossen and Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre Director, Lauren Howes. The reception is followed by a retrospective screening of the films of Warren Sonbert at 7:30 pm, co-presented with the Harvard Film Archive and featuring a reading from celebrated Detroit-based poet, essayist and playwright, Carla Harryman.
The 21st Media City Film Festival continues until Saturday, August 1st with nightly screenings at the Capitol. Programs include more than 65 new international films with filmmakers in attendance from around the world. For full program details and schedule information visit mediacityfilmfestival.com or view an online version of the festival's 90+ page catalogue.