Waterfront Film Festival – Turning It Up To 11

It is hard to imagine that a decade has already passed and we are on our way to the next 10 years for the Waterfront Film Festival – ranked by LA’s Screen Actors Guild Magazine as one of the top five film festivals in the world.  After hearing the news in 2007, I had to pinch myself like many people because it seemed like a fairy tale only found in the movies.  Cannes, Sundance and now Saugatuck! If you have been there, then you know it is all true.

The charm of this resort town film festival is that everything is accessible.  Unlike Cannes and Sundance where celebrities and their entourages are sanctioned off from the film-loving public, celebs sit side by side with the locals throughout the four-day Waterfront Film Festival. (Splash’s Daryl Hannah will be dropping by)

Although the chance to see celebs admittedly is a draw, the amazing independent films are really why we trek to the sunny coast year after year. Debuting this year will be films like “Fierce Light” – the story of spiritual activism with interviews from Hannah, Thich Nhat Hanh, Desmond Tutu, Julia Butterfly Hill and many more.

Other films premiering at the event include the thriller about human trafficking “True North,” the joys of pursuing your dreams even after 40 in “The Back Nine,” and timely documentary “Official Rejection,” which looks at the trials and tribulations of getting a film in a festival.  A complete schedule is on the festival’s website.

If you were not able to get on the list for Nosh Night this Thursday, then head to Saugatuck that night for the outdoor opening party.  It is always a great time with a band, local brews and a family friendly film.  This year’s outdoor cinema selection, which begins at dusk, is “Surfing 50 States” – a funny look at two Australian lads who travel the U.S. in a beat-up ice cream truck in the pursuit of 50 good waves.   There is even an appearance by a real queen on deck for the opening night event.

Admission: Thursday Night Event is Free (see website for film admission fees)