The fifth annual Mountainfilm on Tour: Saugatuck Film Festival — bringing together children’s programming, outdoor adventure, meaningful and creative films, and community collaboration — is underway at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts.
Ongoing through March is a scavenger hunt. On tap: a Children’s Film Festival March 14-31, Family Film Festival March 19 and Community Film Festival March 25 and 26.
Telluride, Colo.-based Mountainfilm is one of America’s longest-running film festivals, part of a nonprofit effort to celebrate stories of collective indomitable spirit and inspire audiences through film, art and ideas.
The SCA is the only Mountainfilm partner in Michigan and one of only two venues in the Great Lakes region.
“We partner with Mountainfilm,” said Center executive director Kristin Armstrong, “in part because of their passion for the environment, which also resonates with our lakeshore region.
“But they also bring stories from around the globe … expanding our horizons and connecting us to the broader world,” Armstrong said.
Locally, the festival supports the 20th annual Children’s Film Festival March 14-31 in schools throughout West Michigan. This free programming allows students to dig into other cultures, traditions, stories and spirits through the power of film. Throughout the last 20 years, the SCA has served more than 45,000 students with this experience.
“We hope that through film,” said multi-year presenter Kristen Milord, “the students are able to be creative and realize they can tell their story whether it’s through art, photography, film, music, dancing or their writing — that they all have a unique story to tell.”
Such programming expands into the Family Film Festival March 19 — designed to get viewers’ imaginations in gear and gather families for a day of adventure, exploration, learning opportunities and fun.
A special set of family-friendly Mountainfilm shorts are shown in the SCA theater, followed by hands-on activities in the art studio and family-focused games led by the local Boys & Girls Club.
The free Children’s Film Festival is made in collaboration with the March 25-26 Community Film Festival, which celebrates adventure and human spirit with two days of shorts.
It opens Friday, March 25, with a Happy Hour party featuring live music by Michigan Academy of Folk Music, followed by The Medley playlist and after party with live music by Colorado-based indie rock band Wildermiss.
Fun continues Saturday with two film playlists; Big Green World at 10 a.m. and Indomitable Spirit at 3 p.m., followed again by Happy Hour. live music by Michigan Academy of Folk Music, and the feature film “The Ants and the Grasshopper” at 7 p.m.
This celebration carries through into Saugatuck, Douglas and Fennville with special offers and perks for ticket holders from community partners. Among them are:
• Featured $6 drinks and/or appetizers at select local restaurants/breweries,
• 10 percent off total purchases with retail partners, and complimentary Fenn Valley wine tastings Saturday, March 26, from noon to 5 p.m. at galleries around town
Several lodging partners are also offering exclusive deals and discounts. A full list of community partners can be found at sc4a.org.
In addition, the March-long scavenger hunt that explores and celebrates local outdoor gems throughout Saugatuck, Douglas, Fennville and Holland. All ages can enjoy quality time with friends and family while taking in local spots with fresh eyes and getting outdoors. All eight locations include a new way to experience that spot and fun facts about that site.
Tickets to the fifth annual Mountainfilm on Tour: Saugatuck Film Festival are on sale now at sc4a.org, the Center box office or by calling (269) 857-7222. Individual passes for each of the screenings in the Community Film Festival are available or get an All Access Pass.
Activities are made possible by the support from Gold Sponsors John Cannarsa and Tim Straker, Andy Knight and Beau Gratzer, and Experience Grand Rapids; Silver Sponsors Landsharks and Phil’s Bar & Grille; and Bronze Sponsors the Stannis family, Anne and Roger Gamache, Ihle Auto Service and Velo City Cycles.