FRIENDS ONLY SCREENING PARTY
Saturday, July 28, 2012 | 1 pm & 4 pm
Lars Hockstad Auditorium 

This year our Friends of the Film Festival get a cool new perk—Friends Only movies on Saturday before the fest! We’re changing the ice cream social into a movie party so our Friends can have their cake and eat it, too, as a special thank you for their Friendship. The Friends Only movies, “BURN” and “The Intouchables,” are two of the year’s best, and they won’t be shown anywhere else at the fest. Read more about these films on page 38. And remember, there is still time to sign up to be a 2012 Friend of the Film Festival and take part in this special day of movies.

FOUNDERS PARTY
Sunday, July 29, 2012 | 1 pm | Rain or Shine
The State Theatre | Ciccone Vineyards & Winery 

The annual Founders Party for festival sponsors features a sneak preview of one of the festival’s best films, “The Queen of Versailles.” Read more about this film on page 28. Sponsors attend a pre-party screening at the State Theatre downtown, followed by a party at Ciccone Vineyards and Winery hosted by Ciccone and Grandview Catering in one of the most beautiful spots in our area.

OPENING NIGHT PARTY
Tuesday, July 31, 2012 | 8:30 pm – Midnight | Rain or Shine
Front Street (200 Block) between Park and Cass Streets 

Kick off the festival with a celebration of “just (infinitely) great movies” on Tuesday night. Front Street becomes a scene featuring local cuisine, libations and entertainment. Get your appetites ready, your palates prepped, and your dancin’ shoes shined as we welcome visiting filmmakers and guests to Traverse City for a night of fun and celebration. Cost: $50 

FILMMAKER DINNER
Friday, August 3, 2012 

Attend the very first TCFF filmmaker dinner on Friday, August 3, and support the festival while enjoying a one-on-one chance to meet with visiting filmmakers. A gourmet meal, delightful libations, the most beautiful setting possible, and intensely interesting company—plus a chance to support the festival in a tax deductible way. Stay tuned for more details about this new festival event that you won’t want to miss.

FILMMAKER PARTY
Saturday, August 4, 2012 | 8:30 pm – Midnight | Rain or Shine
Century 21 Northland Parking Lot, corner of State and Park Streets 

We’re combining the traditional Sunday Closing Night Party and the increasingly popular Friday night Filmmaker Party into one big Saturday night soiree this year. Celebrate with visiting filmmakers in the magically transformed lot on the corner of State and Park. Be one of the few to see the 2012 festival juries present their awards to this year’s stellar group of filmmakers. Featuring a smorgasbord of food, libations and entertainment, this party is sure to be a blast! Cost: $50 

AFTERGLOW PARTY
Saturday, August 4 & Sunday, August 5, 2012 | Late Night
Fire Fly | Downtown Traverse City on the Boardman River 

Keep the party going on Saturday and Sunday nights at Fire Fly, the festival’s official after-hours hot spot, located at 310 Cass Street.

CLOSING RECEPTION
Sunday, August 5, 2012
Downtown Traverse City 

After the Closing Night Film, finish the festival in style with fellow cinephiles with a post-film reception at a downtown venue to be announced. Discuss the films that made you laugh, the moments that made you think, and the characters who made your heart swell before the final curtain comes down.

VOLUNTEER PARTY
Monday, August 6, 2012 | 6 pm – 9pm | Rain or Shine
Clinch Park on Grand Traverse Bay 

We celebrate our hard-working, amazing, generous and talented volunteers at this post-festival homespun picnic. Share stories with friends about your festival experiences and celebrate the week’s success. Featuring some of the top food and beverages from our area, this party is the best way to end an energetic week. Be sure to bring your SWAG Coupons to trade in for some awesome festival gear!