Join visiting filmmakers and guests from Hollywood, New York, and abroad as they share their best movie stories, mixing it up with each other and the audience, because as everyone knows, what happens in Traverse City, stays in Traverse City. Panels are FREE to the public and are not ticketed. Entrance is on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no priority seating. Panel topics and panelists are subject to change.
Meet the TCFF Moderators.
Watch the Panels online thanks to our friends at UpNorth Media Center Channel 189!
The 2019 Traverse City Film Festival schedule will be announced on Friday, June 28. Until then, see what kind of panels we offer with last year’s 2018 programming below.
2018 Panel Schedule
Tuesday BONUS!
MICHIGAN FILM OFFICE ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING
Participate in the part of your government that is set up to support the art of filmmaking by attending the public meeting held bi-monthly by the Governor’s Michigan Film and Digital Media Office Advisory Council, right here in TC. Hear the latest news about the film industry in our fair state.
TUE 1 PM HOLIDAY INN, WEST BAY BEACH
Wednesday
It’s a TCFF tradition to have Michael Moore sit down with a filmmaking legend for a candid conversation about a storied career lived in the movies. Jane Fonda will join us for this special panel event. Seating will be first come, first served.
WED 3 PM STATE
Thursday
Join our founder and president Michael Moore along with other festival board members, staff, and volunteers for a candid State of the State, Bijou, and TCFF. As the theaters and festival embark on a new era, we invite community members and supporters to share their ideas and comments. This won’t be some stodgy presentation with a perfunctory Q&A session. We couldn’t take this more seriously or value your time and input more. Nothing is off limits. Everyone welcome.
THU 3 PM OTP
Friday
A CONVERSATION WITH DICK CAVETT AND ROBERT S. BADER
Remember when late night talk shows weren’t about singing in cars or reading mean tweets? That was the era of the now iconic Dick Cavett Show, which was regarded, even among its contemporaries, as the talk show for people who didn’t like talk shows — meaning there was nothing quite as intelligent or genuine out there. So that’s what we’re gonna do, sit down with Michael Moore, Dick Cavett, and filmmaker Robert S. Bader and have an honest-to-god, civilized conversation with some legendary conversationalists.
FRI 9:30 AM OTP
Saturday
The state of the world today is certainly no laughing matter, but at the same time, there’s almost no pain a good belly laugh can’t at least ease, no matter how temporary. Join us for an afternoon with our most entertaining filmmakers and guests wisecracking about their films, their careers, the funny business of making comedy, and hilarious tangents that happen to run through their heads. Hosted by TCFF fan-favorite Doug Benson, who is VERY excited he no longer has to host the comedy panel at 9:30 am — our ever-popular panel on all things funny will deliver a hearty dose of the best medicine.
SAT 3 PM OTP
Sunday
In times when universally agreed upon facts become “fake news,” one important antidote is a huge dose of nonfiction. After enjoying a week of the eye-opening, inspiring, and infuriating documentaries on offer at this year’s fest, sit down with the filmmakers at our annual doc panel. They’ll discuss the trials, tribulations, rewards, and consequences of creating their art, shining light on important and often controversial subjects, and bringing truth to the people.
SUN 9:30 AM OTP
