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It’s Officially Thunder Bay International Film Festival Week!

Posted on January 25th, 2018

This week brings the 6th Annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival to Alpena, with over 40 Oceanic and Great Lakes films created by filmmakers from all over the world. 

One special film that will be featured is “The Big Five Dive“. This 28-minute adventure documentary, created by Alpena native Elizabeth Kaiser, follows a group of women attempting to dive one historic site in all five Great Lakes in less than 24 hours! This effort is to create awareness of women SCUBA divers, a predominantly male sport and career. >> (Check out a preview here) <<

Another Alpena local making waves at the Thunder Bay International Film Festival is Zach Irving with  “Michigan Micro Adventures“, Vol. 1. In this inaugural episode, Gary and Ely Irving kayak through the open water of Lake Huron from Presque Isle harbor to the southern part of the Albany Bay shipwreck; underwater since 1853. Mary Ellen Jones of Harrisville has submitted a documentary called, “Mindjimendamowin”, meaning “Blood Memory”, about a young man’s journey to reclaim his Anishinaabek heritage by navigating the same waters and walking the same trails as his ancestors did here in Northeast Michigan so many years ago.

We are definitely excited to have not one, but three Alpena area natives showcasing their passion for film, our waterways, Northeast MI cities, and our state, all at one film festival! 

Support the free student film competition on Saturday, January 27th! Stop in and check out the work of talented student filmmakers and share in their excitement for creative film and preserving our ecosystems! Showtimes are at 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

With over 40 films from regional, national, and international filmmakers, there is something for everyone during this 5-day film festival.

Download and print the complete program schedule here