TC Film Fest Kicks Off

<p> </p> <p><em>By Linnaea Melcarek</em></p> <p>The local film festival started by documentary filmmaker Michael Moore celebrated its fifth anniversary at a kickoff party in downtown Traverse City last night. Hundreds gathered to take in the event, which included live music and balloon sculptures worn as costumes.</p> <p>Moore told those in attendance that he was afraid this year might be a tough one for the festival.</p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p>"We figured during the difficult year for the festival, and we planned for that," Moore said. "What we didn't plan for was a 37 percent increase in the sponsors of this festival over what we had last year."</p> <p>Moore said ticket sales for this year's festival are higher than ever, with many films already sold out.</p> <p>At the opening ceremony, Moore presented the Michigan Filmmaker Award to local writer and director Rich Brauer.</p> <p>Brauer is the festival's first honoree who has not left Michigan to work in Hollywood.</p> <p>Upon accepting his award, Brauer said that after 32 years of making films in Northern Michigan, he's now seeing the area become more interested in the art of film and independent filmmaking.</p> <p>"It's great that the community has recognized that what I've been doing for all these years is fun!" Brauer said. "At the end of the day, it's the enthusiasm of a crowd like this that support me and other filmmakers that make it all worth while, and I'm so grateful to be here."</p> <p>Brauer's films include <em>The Lost Treasure of Sawtooth Island, Frozen Stupid, Barn Red,</em> and an upcoming feature called <em>Fitful</em>.</p> <p>The Traverse City Film Festival runs through Sunday.</p> <p>Get more TCFF coverage from IPR <a href="http://ipr.interlochen.org/tcff" target="_self">here</a>.</p>