A Grand Rapids Film Festival Uses Art to Support Community Connection
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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The 4th Annual Cans Film Festival delivered a world-class experience in Grand Rapids and had its largest showing to date with festival goers traveling in from across the state and packing two screens to see 26 independent, Michigan-made films screened on July 17-18 at the Wealthy Theatre. The festival provided an opportunity to cultivate the relationship between local filmmakers and new audiences.
The Cans Film Festival began as a unique celebration for the filmmakers and artists who live among us right here in Michigan.
Since 2023, the Cans Film Festival programmed filmmakers from across the Great Lakes State to screen their short films to an audience that brought their cans and bottles for donation — the proceeds of which went to the audience favorites of the evening.
$543.40 was raised from donated recyclable cans and bottles and the proceeds were split amongst filmmakers who screened their films. A grocery cart full of canned food was also collected and donated to Flat River Outreach Ministries Food Pantry.
The festival included interactive panel opportunities including a Making It In Michigan workshop and a discussion connected to humanitarian efforts around Wronged: The Maurice Carter Story.
“Amongst the incredible praise from festival goers and filmmakers alike that this was the best-run festival they have ever attended, we heard that this event reminded them of pre-pandemic events in Grand Rapids and gave hope to know people still cared about art and community in West Michigan,” shared Tran Hoang Calvin, director and founder of the Cans Film Festival. “It's notable that the films that won audience choice, best documentary and best narrative were all student-created films. How we prepare students for careers as artists and filmmakers will determine whether they stay here in Michigan or take their incredible talents elsewhere. It's important to us as a festival and organization to ensure they find the community and support they need.”
How we prepare students for careers as artists and filmmakers will determine whether they stay here in Michigan or take their incredible talents elsewhere. -- Tran Hoang Calvin, President
Best of prizes that were given out included:
Audience Choice Award: A Boy Named Choo-Choo, directed by Ethan Williams
Jury Award Best Documentary: Sincerely, Sage Jo, directed by Jacob Wilkins
Jury Award Best Narrative: Songs From The Sky, directed by Patrice Scott Jr.
Palm D'or, awarded to the feature that exemplifies the honor and spirit of the festival: Walter, Grace and the Submarine, written, directed, edited and produced by Noah Bashore
ArtPrize and History Fix, a Michigan-based streaming platform for history fans based in Michigan, had a presence at the festival.
2027’s festival will align with ArtPrize for the first time, on September 23-26, 2027. See more about the organization’s mission at cansfilmfestival.org.
