The Circuit

The Ann Arbor Film Festival, one of the country's oldest fests, wasn't looking for a fight when it programmed Crispin Glover's "What is it?" for its 2005 edition. It got it when the Mackinac Center for Public Policy pointed to it and a number of other "pornographic" films in an essay calling for the state of Michigan to pull its financial support from the event.  The state arts funding in Michigan has, for decades, had vague, hidden guidelines attached to it regarding "offensive" material, a ripple effect from the NEA controversy in the '90s.  It's just no one enforced it.  But after Michael D. LaFaive's 2005 essay -- which likens the fest to the famous dogs-playing-poker painting "The Big Bluff" -- the state wanted the guidelines followed before they released the festival's past-due cash. 

The festival refused, and in March 2007 they (with the ACLU) sued the state, contending that "the laws harm the First Amendment rights of the artist."

The lawsuit making its way through the courts is now being closely watched.  Though there is optimism, McArdle says that a few Michigan arts orgs have already had to sign the state's guidelines or face dissolving. The upcoming Film Festival Summit has a panel on the controversy, and Ann Arbor exec director Christen McArdle has made sure the issue stays in the spotlight.  McArdle says that while they fully intend to see this through, the festival has been living hand-to-mouth ever since. 

To help fund their efforts, they announced a campaign to raise $75K through "Acts of Audacity."  For a contribution, people will get to vote on which "act" they want festival reps to perform - which will be shot and edited for YouTube glory. 

Option 1: Glam Rock karaoke through the streets of Ann Arbor in a yellow classic pick-up truck.

Option 2: Urban tobogganing in Detroit and Ann Arbor while dressed as giant animals.

Option 3: Recreations of famous scenes from classic movies with finger puppets.

Check out this wonderfully instructional video: