DETROIT — The sixth annual Cinetopia Film Festival is coming to Detroit/Ann Arbor and Dearborn on June 1-11, 2017. This showcases the best of the best independent films from festivals all over the globe.
There were 130 submissions and they chose the best innovative films that tell a story and the history behind them.
Russ Collins, CEO of the Michigan Theatre in Ann Arbor, said they started Cinetopia five years ago in Detroit. “We looked at other film festivals. (to model after) The heritage of cinema in Detroit is pretty interesting. This year we will be in the 30,000 attendance range. We are pleased with the growth here. The cinema culture is built into the roots of this community,” says Collins.
Cinetopia Programming Director Brian Hunter added, “I listen to the community I work with.” He named two movies that are worth seeing. One is “I Dream In Another Language” which won the Sundance Audience Award for World Cinema-Dramatic. This movie searches for the dying language of Zikril. As Martin (Fernando Alvarez Rebeil) chases the language and the history in an attempt to preserve both, he uncovers something supernatural.
The second movie he suggested as a must-see is “Tribal Justice” which is filmed in communities in California and about the justice system for Native Americans.
The films showing at the Detroit Film Theatre at the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts) are from Italy and Egypt. Cinetopia honors the rich heritage of cinematic culture and Michigan’s proud legacy of outstanding cinema artists. Come see the films at the many locations throughout the area. Tickets can be purchased online at cinetopiafestival.org/tickets.
