“Cinema is a place where we can all go… no borders, no visas required, no possibility of being excluded or exiled. A place that filmmakers and – more importantly – film lovers, from all over all our planets might find a home, and might find company.” This quote helped start the cinema-based ‘8 ½ Foundation’, by actress Tilda Swinton and Mark Cousins, and inspired members of our community to offer quality independent films and animation to kids of Berrien County with the Coastline Children’s Film Festival.
“Presenting films to families and the community on the big screen creates a shared theatrical experience,” says the Coastline Children’s Film Festival. “Alongside the screening of features, documentaries, and short programs, festival participants have the opportunity to learn about the history of cinema and the craft of film-making.”
This film festival began thirteen years ago, with the screening of two films at the old Elk’s Lodge in St. Joseph. It has now evolved to include nine different screening venues across Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana, offering showings throughout the Summer and Halloween season, free of charge to attendees.
“It’s all a volunteer effort,” says Leslie Sullivan, President of the Coastline Children’s Film Festival. “March is our main 10-day festival which includes a Young Filmmakers Competition that has now gone national.” This year’s competition (2022) featured twenty-two films and filmmakers from ten states, and fun activities throughout the ten days, such as an Opening-Night Costume Party, Flapjacks & Flicks, a Night Hike, and much more.
The Open House on Saturday, October 15th, 2022, will take place from 12 p.m to 4 p.m, at 5861 Sawyer Road in Sawyer, at the CCFF Storefront inside the Flynn Theatre Building. The afternoon will be full of board games and mummy bowling, along with snacks and treats. The evening’s Flick Or Treat showing of the 1963 film ‘Jason & the Argonauts’ will begin at 6:30 p.m. Red Arrow Roasters will be providing complimentary, and delicious, hot beverages.
Sponsors, donors, and contributors are in abundance, in support of this organization and the educationally-focused film world they are introducing to our youth. The Virginia & Harvey Kimmel Family Foundation generously contributes, making the March festival becoming a reality, and the CCFF itself is supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. New Buffalo and Three Oaks programs are supported by a grant from The Pokagon Fund, and local business involvement includes Fruitbelt Sparkling Tonic, Modern Dentistry Associates, Sam & Connie Monte, the New Buffalo Times, Red Arrow Roasters, Bit of Swiss, musician Brandon J. Woodcox, and many more.
“We just got news of our $4,000 mini-grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council,” says Leslie. These funds will be used for the 2023 Film Festival, as well as for the screening schedule throughout the year. Film showings are open to the public and are free, though a $1 per person donation is greatly appreciated. The 13th Annual Coastline Children’s Film Festival Competition will occur March 3rd-12th of next year, and submissions are open now. The deadline to submit is January 15th, 2023. For more information on the CCFF, please visit coastlinechildrensfilmfestival.com.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM Contributor
