The Traverse City Film Festival is giving up control of the Bijou by the Bay movie theater.
The festival has operated the small venue since 2013, but in a letter to the city commissioners, founder Michael Moore cites expensive equipment repairs and road construction on Grandview Parkway as reasons for the decision.
The theater has been closed since mid-May.
Rebecca Schankula is the creative director of the Traverse City Film Festival. She says the organization is focused on operating its other venue — the State Theatre, on Front Street in downtown Traverse City.
“Our commitment to the town remains that we want to make sure the State Theatre never closes again, like it did during the pandemic," Schankula said.
In the letter, Moore suggests giving stewardship of the building to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.
IPR reached out to Moore for comment but had not heard back as of Friday evening.
