08/02/2007

Film Festival Outtakes

Things worked out well for Mickey and Sally Fivenson this festival.

They'd already bought their tickets to more than 15 movies by the time they decided to have their company, Telecom Classified Ads, sponsor a movie. They're sponsoring "Fireworks Wednesday,” which is screening at the same time as "The Valet.” They really, really wanted to see "The Valet” and were prepared to skip their own movie if it came down to it. It didn't. They saw "The Valet” at a special screening for sponsors.

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Speaking of "The Valet,” if you don't see it during the Festival, you'll get another shot soon. Bob Bahle, who owns the Bay Theatre in Suttons Bay and is one of the judges for this year's Film Festival, saw it during the Founders Party and "absolutely loved it.”

He said he's going to figure out a way to bring it to The Bay, possibly pairing it with "Lady Chatterley,” which he's running Sept. 28. He's also going to be showing "La Vie en Rose'' on Aug. 24.

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Festival "angel” Buzz Wilson, who pledged thousands for needed repairs to the State Theatre, hid out in the balcony during introductions before the opening night film there at the Traverse City Film Festival. But that didn't stop audiences from giving the media-shy philanthropist a standing ovation.

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Christine Lahti, winner of the Traverse City Film Festival's Michigan Filmmaker Award, waitressed at several area resorts while growing up and once rode on a float in a National Cherry Festival parade. Lahti told audiences at the festival's opening ceremony Tuesday that she was a singing "Honeybee” at the former Brownwood restaurant in Eastport, which "may or may not have involved a costume with wings and a stinger.”

Compiled from Record-Eagle employees and others. If you have a slice-of-life-type festival story to share, send it to: kgibbons@record-eagle.com