Venues & Accessibility

Over a century ago, the State Theatre brought movies to Front Street. Today, in our restored, historic, antique gem beats the heart of the TCFF.

But since the State is one of only two existing year-round movie theaters in downtown Traverse City, many more must come alive each July for the festival. Out of necessity, we’ve built them, but we’d like to think that each theater has its own special character; unique spaces that infuse the films we show there with a little extra something. Each venue is distinct, and like great character actors, each fleshes out the whole of the filmgoing experience. 

Accessibility at the Traverse City Film Festival

Accommodation Requests

If you have a specific accommodation request, including American Sign Language interpretation, please email us at boxoffice@tcff.org. Please submit requests prior to July 22 so that we have ample time to schedule an interpreter. Please include the dates you plan to attend.

Physical Access, Hard of Hearing and Deaf Resources

We are committed to making screenings and festival events accessible to all attendees. We are continually looking for ways in which we may improve our services, and welcome your comments and questions. We will post Closed Caption and other accessibility options on the relevant screenings in the film guide.

Seating

The Traverse City Film Festival follows regulations in the Americans with Disabilities Act and is committed to serving all people in our community.

Accessible Seats for patrons with disabilities and their companions are reserved and available for purchase at each venue. Unsold Accessible Seats may be released to individuals without disabilities when general seating sells out.

Three categories of Accessible Seats are available:

1. Wheelchair Accessible Seating
2. Easy Access/Mobility/Transfer Seating
3. Companion Seating

Wheelchair Accessible Seating is for patrons with disabilities who require space for a wheelchair. These seats provide WHEELCHAIR SPACE ONLY, not a physical seat.

Easy Access/Mobility/Transfer Seating is for patrons with disabilities who need convenient in and out access to their seat. These seats have moveable armrests and are located on the aisle (Available at State Theatre, Bijou by the Bay and AMC Cherry Blossom).

Companion Seating is for companions of patrons with disabilities who have tickets for Accessible Seats. Up to 3 adjacent companion seats are available for companions of people with tickets for Wheelchair Accessible seats.

The box office at each venue and the Main Box Office are accessible. (The Old Town Playhouse box office is accessible by using the side entrance and elevator, but not easily.) Accessible Seat tickets may be purchased online, by phone, or in person.

Purchased tickets may be picked up at the Main Box Office or at any venue during operating hours.

Patrons with disabilities and their companions are encouraged to arrive early when attending movies. For further information or assistance with Accessible Seating please contact us.

For further information or assistance with Accessible Seating please call the TCFF Box Office Manager on Duty at 231-498-3378 during our regular business hours.

Transportation

Free 2022 Traverse City Film Festival Bayline Shuttle
You can ride the free BATA Bayline shuttle between the Downtown Theaters (State and Bijou) and the AMC Cherry Blossom Theater. Park your car at a Park and Ride lot and eliminate the need to park downtown or move your car from one venue to another. Shuttles are ADA accessible and air-conditioned.