Moore Asks For Public Input On Bringing Back Film Festival

Traverse City Film Festival Founder Michael Moore is seeking public input on the potential for bringing back the festival this summer. The event hasn't taken place since 2019 due to the pandemic.

In an email to TCFF supporters Friday, Moore said he and the festival board "are in deep discussions" about the potential of holding the festival this summer. "One thing we know is that we cannot commit to spending money in advance for a festival that may need to be postponed again due to the surge of a new variant," Moore wrote. "Recent festivals across the country like Sundance have announced they were doing an in-person festival, attendees went ahead and bought plane tickets and paid in advance for hotel rooms. When the festival had to cancel due to covid, vendors couldn’t return the money to Sundance and the public lost their non-refundable lodging fees. We can’t let that happen here in TC."

Moore said that as the board considers "all of our alternatives," he is accepting public input at mike@michaelmoore.com. "Please send us any of your thoughts and suggestions," he wrote. "Perhaps instead of swinging back and forth because we don’t want to accept that this virus or its offspring are going to be with us for a long time, maybe the smart thing to do is to acknowledge a reality we don’t like and then find ways to adapt to it. So that we can go on living and enjoying life while making sure we stay healthy and alive. What do you think of when I say that?" 

Moore added: "I’m asking you for your thoughts about our beloved festival this year. We will not risk people’s health and safety. We will also refuse to lose a dime on any event planned in advance that will end up costing us dearly due to circumstances that will be beyond our control."

Moore also noted in his email that beginning March 4, "fully vaccinated" at the State Theatre and Bijou by the Bay will mean all theatergoers must show proof at the door of having received the third booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. "Thanks to all who have happily participated in our protocols - and for the thank you notes you’ve sent us about how safe you feel coming to our theaters," Moore wrote. "This will continue to be our top priority."