Open Projector Night Showcase Celebrates West Michigan’s Film Community at UICA Friday

This Friday night, August 22, local filmmakers and their fans will come together to celebrate West Michigan’s growing film community at the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts’ (UICA’s) second annual Open Projector Night Showcase. It all begins at 8 p.m.

This year’s showcase will include Pinback: Sediment, by Michael Foxtrot Johnson, Party Marty, by Casey Huizenga, the Lord Huron music video She Lit a Fire, by Arms Race, and Tuna Rice Balls, by Stephanie Kang, as well as other memorable films shown in Open Projector Night’s second season. Selections include narrative films, music videos, documentaries, experimental video, art films, commercial spots and student projects. The show starts at 8 PM and will be followed by a brief Q&A with the filmmakers. Audience members will vote for their favorite film of the night and all audience-vote winners will enter a drawing to host their own film as a private event in the UICA Film Theatre. Ticket price for the event is $8 at the door ($4 for UICA Members). There is no dress code but fanciness is encouraged. An after-party will follow the event, with the location to be announced..
For those who cannot attend the opening night on Friday, August 22, repeat screenings will be held on Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24. Visit uica.org for showtimes.

The UICA’s strives to give filmmakers an opportunity to show their work to a live audience in a state of the art theater, and to give local film-appreciators a chance to experience West Michigan filmmaking in a festive and open atmosphere. As the series moves into its third year, Open Projector Night’s Coordinator Anjalika Lobo hopes to draw even more filmmakers and attendees, which would in turn seed and encourage more local film production and provide an opportunity for students and professionals to network. OPN Founder Brandon Belote said, “The more active and connected West Michigan’s film community becomes, the more students might stay and find work right here, building a stronger creative workforce and a healthier economy.”

This Friday night will be a good night to be downtown, and more importantly, at the UICA!