915 Washington Ave.
Bay City MI 48708
U S A
Phone: 989-893-0343
Fax: 989-893-6443
alanl@hhmfest.com
http://www.hhmfest.com
Full Length Feature
All topics welcome. Films must be 40 minutes or longer to be considered "full length."
Animation
All topics welcome.
Shorts
All topics welcome. Films must be 39 minutes or less to be considered in the "short film" category.
Foreign Language
All topics welcome. Films can be any length and must be subtitled.
Documentary
All topics are welcome. Documentary films can be of any length.
MISSION & OBJECTIVE
The mission of the Hell's Half Mile Film and Music Fest (HHM Fest) is to make contemporary film and music accessible to the general population of Mid Michigan, and provide developing independent film and music creators outlets for their work.
HHM Fest uses selected films and entertainment groups to provide or increase local access to a variety of entertainment and materials, through a variety of local venues. HHM Fest is a non-profit, cooperative effort of residents and partners who, in partnership with the Bay Arts Council, host the events, participate in planning, donate their time and material support
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
Please mail submissions directly to Hell's Half Mile Film and Music Festival.
HHM Fest is more than an event for those who simply appreciate film and music. It's a grassroots effort to develop a community that participates in the arts. The festival idea developed from a "wouldn't it be great..." conversation, into "we can do it" action. We hope our actions will inspire others to develop new arts and culture opportunities in our community.
We're reaching out to schools with film programs locally, and around the country to give students the opportunity to show their talents. We're placing our call for submissions on industry web sites to connect with current and aspiring film makers, and attending regional and national film festivals to extend personal invitations. Through these efforts we're positioning Bay City as a progressive arts and culture community.
Year One
The first HHM Fest presented nearly 40 films, including over a dozen feature films and over 20 documentaries, shorts and animated films over 4 days. 7 filmmakers were in attendance and participated in Q&A sessions after the screening of their films. The festival also featured nearly 20 bands and individual musicians over 2 days. Several of the films had never been seen at a theater before being screened at HHM Fest, including "Greener," a feature film shot primarily right here in Bay City!!!
Year Two
What a great year! Year Two brought us the bands Canada, Diet Audio, F'ke Blood, The Kincaids, Mason Proper, The One A.M. Radio and Slumber Party. Our music venue exploded with great sounds and huge crowds.
Filmmaker participation was once again one of the best features of the festival. Frank Popper, filmmaker, and Senator Jeff Smith attended for their acclaimed documentary "Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?" Screenwriter and Bay City-born Matthew Waynee attended for his star-packed film "Unknown" and taught two screenwriter workshops. Longtime documentarian Steve Gebhardt accompanied his film "Twenty to Life: the Life and Times of John Sinclair." Kenneth Hughes travelled from Hollywood to Bay City to talk about his absurdist film "Bad Dog and Superhero." And, our Toronto friends the Butler Brothers (Jason and Brett) brought actress Naomi Johnson with them for the screenings of "Confusions of an Unmarried Couple."
Year Three
Bigger and better than ever! Music included Great Lakes Myth Society, Tone & Niche, Cheap Girls, Monument Valley and more.
Australian filmmaker Chritopher Weekes attended with his film "Bitter and Twisted" (he wrote, directed and starred) along with 2 other films previously screened at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival..."The Autuer" and the documentary "Run For Your Life." Festival favorite "Dakota Skye was accompanied by Producer Shaun O'Banion and Actor Ian Nelson. Actor/Writer/Producer Kevin Sheridan supported his film "Leaving Barstow." Michigan Filmmaker Sultan Sharrief was on hand for his audience favorite "The Story of Bilal."
Filmmaker Panel Discussion...Screenwriter and Cinematography Workshops...Q&A Sessions...Great Music...Always a great time!
What's with the name?
In the late 1800's, a stretch of Bay City's riverfront was lined with raucous saloons and two-bit hotels where turn-of-the-century loggers and shipmen would go to blow off steam and take in more than a little local color. This strip was known as Hell's Half Mile.
Time has passed but the same rough-and-tumble spirit of the day is reborn in the Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival. Early in it's history, Bay City had over 80 hotels, hundreds of saloons and countless movie houses and theaters making it the entertainment capitol of Northern Michigan. This festival is a celebration of Bay City's history as an entertainment destination.
Today, the city boasts a beautiful downtown riverfront with boutiques, restaurants, theatres, pubs, hotel accommodations and other points of interest....a state of the art planetarium, art galleries, a thriving business community, an active shipping lane for Great Lakes freighters...Downtown Bay City is alive with activity.
ORGANIZERS
Alan LaFave (Festival Registrar) ; Chris Kro ; Mitchell Jarosz (Programming Chairperson)
GENERAL RULES
The 4th HHM Film & Music festival is open to all genres and categories (full length features, animation, shorts, documentaries, etc).
All entries must be submitted on DVD. Submissions will be returned at filmmakers expense only. For submission deadlines please see schedule. Extensions for submission may be made by contacting the show director. If selected, your film must be delivered to HHM by September 7, 2009 (proper screening format required).
All submission fees are listed in the deadline/fee schedule. We require that entries submit press kits including a short synopsis, a filmmakers bio, a list of the principal cast and credits, a black/white productions still and any other media information available. All photos should be clearly identified on the back and will not be returned. Any photo submitted may be used for festival promotion. Electronic files preferred.
Submissions using the student fee MUST include a copy of a current student ID with the submission.
Non-English language films must have subtitles.
The number, date and time of screenings are at the discretion of the festival.
Film selection announcements will be made in late August.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival and the Bay Arts Council are hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations. The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival and the Bay Arts Council from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
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