The party is starting for the 5th annual Mountainfilm on Tour: Saugatuck Film Festival at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA)!
This intriguing festival brings together children’s programming, outdoor adventure, meaningful and creative films, and community collaboration. The festival kicks off with a month-long scavenger hunt (March 1 – 31), Children’s Film Festival (March 14 – 31), Family Film Festival (March 19), and culminates with the Community Film Festival (March 25 & 26).
Mountainfilm is one of America’s longest-running film festivals. Based out of Telluride, Colorado, Mountainfilm is a dynamic nonprofit organization and festival that celebrates stories of our collective indomitable spirit and aims to inspire audiences through film, art, and ideas. The SCA is the only Mountainfilm partner in Michigan, and one of only two venues in the entire Great Lakes region!
“We partner with Mountainfilm, in part, because of their passion for the environment which also resonates with our lakeshore region. But they also bring stories from around the globe… expanding our horizons and connecting us to the broader world” says Kristin Armstrong, Executive Director of the SCA.
Locally, the Mountainfilm on Tour: Saugatuck Film Festival supports the 20th annual Children’s Film Festival which runs March 14 – 31 in schools throughout West Michigan. This free programming allows students to dig into other cultures, traditions, stories, and spiriffts through the power of film. Throughout the last 20 years, the SCA has served more than 45,000 students with this transformative experience.
Kristen Milord, a multi-year Mountainfilm on Tour presenter, says “We hope that through film, the students are able to be creative and realize they can tell their story whether it’s through art, photography, film, music, dancing, or their writing – that they all have a unique story to tell.”
Creative and imaginative children’s programming expands into the Family Film Festival on March 19. Designed to get viewer’s imaginations in gear and gather families for a day packed with adventure, exploration, and learning opportunities – and to top it off, FUN! A special set of family-friendly Mountainfilm shorts are shown in the theater, followed by hands-on activities in the Art Studio, and family-focused games led by the local Boys & Girls Club.
The free Children’s Film Festival is only made in collaboration with the Community Film Festival, which takes place on March 25 & 26 this year. The Community Film Festival celebrates adventure and the indomitable human spirit with two days of shorts.
Friday (March 25) opens up with a Happy Hour party with live music by Michigan Academy of Folk Music, followed by The Medley playlist, and the After Party featuring live music by Colorado-based indie rock band, Wildermiss.
The party keeps rolling on Saturday (March 26) with two film playlists; Big Green World at 10 am and Indomitable Spirit at 3 pm, followed by Happy Hour and live music by Michigan Academy of Folk Music, and the feature film: The Ants and the Grasshopper at 7pm.
This celebration doesn’t stop at the SCA doors though – it carries through Saugatuck, Douglas, and Fennville with special offers and perks for ticket holders from community partners. These perks include featured $6 drinks and/or appetizers at select local restaurants/breweries, 10% of total purchases with retail partners, and complimentary Fenn Valley wine tastings from noon – 5pm at galleries around town throughout the day on Saturday (March 26). Several lodging partners are also offering exclusive deals and discounts. A full list of community partners can be found at sc4a.org.
In addition, there is a month-long scavenger hunt that explores and celebrates local outdoor gems throughout Saugatuck, Douglas, Fennville, and Holland. All ages can enjoy quality time with friends and family while taking in local spots with fresh eyes and getting outdoors! All eight locations include a new way to experience that spot and fun facts about that location.
Tickets to the 5th annual Mountainfilm on Tour: Saugatuck Film Festival are on sale now at sc4a.org or at the Box Office at the SCA, in-person or at 269-857-7222. Individual passes for each of the screenings in the Community Film Festival are available or get an All Access Pass, unlocking the entire Mountainfilm on Tour: Saugatuck Community Film Festival experience.
Mountainfilm on Tour: Saugatuck Film Festival is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors. Gold Sponsors include John Cannarsa & Tim Straker, Andy Knight & Beau Gratzer, and Experience Grand Rapids. Silver Sponsors include Landsharks and Phil’s Bar & Grille. Bronze Sponsors include The Stannis Family, Anne & Roger Gamache, Ihle Auto Service, and Velo City Cycles.
EN 
ES 