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HHM Fest is more than an event for those who simply appreciate film and music. It's a grassroots effort to develop a community that participates in the arts. The festival idea developed from a "wouldn't it be great..." conversation, into "we can do it" action. We hope our actions will inspire others to develop new arts and culture opportunities in our community. We're reaching out to schools with film programs locally, and around the country to give students the opportunity to show their talents. We're placing our call for submissions on industry web sites to connect with current and aspiring film makers, and attending regional film festivals to extend personal invitations. Through these efforts we're positioning Bay City as a progressive arts and culture community. Year One
The first HHM Fest presented nearly 40 films, including over a dozen feature films and over 20 documentaries, shorts and animated films over 4 days. 7 filmmakers were in attendance and participated in Q&A sessions after the screening of their films. The festival also featured nearly 20 bands and individual musicians over 2 days. Several of the films had never been seen at a theater before being screened at HHM Fest, including "Greener," a feature film shot primarily right here in Bay City!!! Year Two
What a great year! Year Two brought us the bands Canada, Diet Audio, F'ke Blood, The Kincaids, Mason Proper, The One A.M. Radio and Slumber Party. Our music venue exploded with great sounds and huge crowds. Filmmaker participation was once again one of the best features of the festival. Frank Popper, filmmaker, and Senator Jeff Smith attended for their acclaimed documentary "Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?" Screenwriter and Bay City-born Matthew Waynee attended for his star-packed film "Unknown" and taught two screenwriter workshops. Longtime documentarian Steve Gebhardt accompanied his film "Twenty to Life: the Life and Times of John Sinclair." Kenneth Hughes travelled from Hollywood to Bay City to talk about his absurdist film "Bad Dog and Superhero." And, our Toronto friends the Butler Brothers (Jason and Brett) brought actress Naomi Johnson with them for the screenings of "Confusions of an Unmarried Couple. "Filmmaker Panel Discussion...Screenwriter Workshops...Q&A Sessions...Great Music...What a Great Year! What's with the name?
In the late 1800's, a certain stretch of Bay City's riverfront was known as Hell's Half Mile. A strip lined with raucous saloons and two-bit hotels where turn-of-the-century loggers and shipmen would go to blow off steam and take in more than a little local color. Time has passed but the same rough-and-tumble spirit of the day is reborn in the Hell's Half Mile Film & Music Festival. Early in it's history, Bay City had over 80 hotels, hundreds of saloons and countless movie houses and theaters making it the entertainment capitol of Northern Michigan.
This festival is a celebration of Bay City's history as an entertainment destination. Today, the city boasts a beautiful downtown riverfront with boutiques, restaurants, theatres, pubs, hotel accommodations and other points of interest....a state of the art planetarium, art galleries, a thriving business community, an active shipping lane for Great Lakes freighters...Downtown Bay City is alive with activity.
Visit the Hell's Half Mile website at http://www.hhmfest.com |
