About Ann Arbor Film Festival

The Ann Arbor Film Festival is one of the oldest experimental film festivals in North America. It was founded by George Manupelli in 1963. The film festival acknowledges independent filmmakers and artists. The festival has over 180 films from over 20 counties.  More than 3,000 films are submitted to the festival from more than 65 countries. You can also see a selection of films that might be nominated for an Academy Award.

Ann Arbor Film Festival Movies

Winner: Annihilation

Plot:

A mysterious band of musicians travels to a medieval city.

Movie Details:

Release: 2017
Production Country: USA
Director: Robbie Ward
Time: 7 minutes

Review:

A mix of Dantes Inferno and Heavy Metal. If you enjoy art and music this film is for you.

Winner: Lotus Lantern

Plot:

A peek into the wax lotus. Lotus Lantern is a tribute to late Chinese singer Zhou Xuan, a missing link between filmmaker’s queer identity and Chinese heritage

Movie Details:

Release: 2017
Production Country: USA / China
Director: Xingpei Shen
Time: 7 minutes

Review:

An experimental 2D animation that kind of reminds you of a computer video game. A vivid animation with symbolism.

Fundamental

Plot:

Fundamental is about the injury of rigid religious upbringing to a teenager who discovers the strange and terrifying reality behind fundamentalism.

Movie Details:

Release: 2017
Production Country: Taiwan
Director: ShihChieh Chiu
Time: 6 minutes

Review:

If you enjoy philosphy and self expressionism this movie is for you.

Ming

Plot:

A Chinese student’s experience as a live figure model while abroad.

Movie Details:

Release: 2017
Production Country: USA
Director: Danski Tang
Time: 3 minutes

Review:

A colorful vector animation with a compelling story. Told through the perspective of a live figure model and her experiences.

My Catchbasin Runneth Over

Plot:

Subtitled “Songs From the City,” Catchbasin collects observations, synthetically constructed or found in my environment, in the subway, while wandering on the streets, loafing on the rooftop, digging through forgotten drawings and pages of ephemera

Movie Details:

Release: 2016
Production Country: USA
Director: George Griffin
Time: 12 minutes

Review:

A comical short film that showcases different scenarios and events.

Pigeon in a net

Plot:

A phone conversation between two countries and generations

Movie Details:

Release: 2016
Production Country: Germany  / Finland
Director: Saana Inari
Time: 7 minutes

Review:

A film that you might want to watch your mother with. Shows the personalities of two separate generations and what they are thinking.

Red Riding Hood Redux

Plot:

A classic tale with a twist.

Movie Details:

Release: 2017
Production Country: Croatia
Director: Danijel Žeželj
Time: 12 minutes

Review:

Similiar to a live action hybrid. Music is compelling as well as the story. A retold version of the little red riding hood.

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Plot:

Booted from the limelight, Max Headroom now roves the video signal on the search for meaning.

Movie Details:

Release: 2018
Production Country: USA
Director:  Anna Spence
Time: 4 minutes

Review:

Think of it as a 80’s MTV snippet but without the music.

Snake Bomb

Plot:

Inspired by imagery of life and death, loosely constructed conspiracy theories, and the science fiction of yesteryear, Snake Bomb tells a story of salvation of a species at the expense of another species’ existence.

Movie Details:

Release: 2017
Production Country: USA
Director: Nolan Downs, Chris Kalis, Valerie Paykov
Time: 3 minutes

Review:

If you enjoy adult swim and chilling on the couch eating Doritos then this short film is for you.

Spank Shot

Plot:

Experimental hockey film.

Movie Details:

Release: 2016
Production Country: USA
Director: Gina Kamentsky
Time: 1 minute

Review:

A bright short film that keeps you interested in the story.

The Hostel/ Die Herberge

Plot:

In The Hostel, past and future merge into one place, and deepest misery and recreation are not mutually exclusive. This is where our paths cross.

Movie Details:

Release: 2017
Production Country: Germany
Director: Ulu Braun
Time:16 minutes

Review:

A mix of live action and stop motion.  Definitely an experimental film.

The Stuff Revolution

Plot:

“The Stuff Revolution” is a meditation on materialism and consumerism

Movie Details:

Release: 2017
Production Country: USA
Director: Simon Alexander-Adams
Time: 3 minutes

Review:

A film about existentialism and philosophy.

The Unwoods

Plot:

A collision of the synthetic and the natural results in a carnivalesque,

Movie Details:

Release: 2017
Production Country: USA
Director: Alyssa Sherwood
Time: 2 minutes

Review:

Creative artwork. Enjoyed the incorporation of pictures and magazines with a 3D effect.

To Be A Tree

Plot:

“If there is rebirth after death, Wish to become a tree, Stand for eternity, No postures for grief and joy. Half reposing in the dust, half soaring in the wind; half spattering the shade, half basking in the sun. Greatly prideful, greatly taciturn, Never to cling, never to seek…”

Movie Details:

Release: 2017
Production Country: Germany
Director: Xin Sun
Time: 6 minutes

Review:

Really enjoyed the animation style of this movie. The movie makes you think.

Where is Eva Hipsey?

Plot:

An experimental animated film that blends documentary, fiction and poetry.

Movie Details:

Release: 2016
Production Country: Ireland
Director: Orla McHardy
Time: 9 minutes

Review:

A film that can be associated as a documentary. Enjoyed the nostalgic animation, color and sound effects.