The Traverse City Film Festival venues offer exceptional audio-visual technology, comfy seating and historic charm to enhance your film-viewing experience. This year, two new Traverse City venues were added to accommodate the festival’s growth: The Buzz, located at the InsideOut Gallery, and ‘Movies on a Boat’, located on Northern Michigan’s favorite party-barge, the Nauti-Cat. This Northern Michigan festival runs from July 29th to August 3rd, and is chock-full of features ranging from laugh-out-loud comedies to moving documentaries. Pre-festival screenings will take place across Northern Michigan—find the Around the Bay showings here. MyNorth Media would like to thank the Traverse City Film Festival for contributing some of the following content.
Click for the Complete Film Festival Movie Guide
The Open Space Outdoor Theater — Corner of Union St. and Grandview Parkway (look out for the GIANT screen!)
- One of Traverse City’s most beautiful and versatile public gathering places, the Open Space is the place to be each night of the festival for free, larger-than-life screenings. Films will be projected onto a large inflatable screen next to West Grand Traverse Bay near downtown Traverse City.
Click Here for the Complete Open Space Free Movie Schedule
The State Theatre — 223. E Front Street
- ← The beautiful home of the Traverse City Film Festival, the State Theatre is a Traverse City landmark. Originally built in 1916, this theater was lovingly restored to its former glory by Michael Moore and volunteers. This 527-seat movie house is the perfect place to view a movie and was recently named #1 movie theater in the world by MPAA.
Bijou by the Bay — 181 E. Grandview Parkway
- The newest edition to the Traverse City theater lineup, the Bijou By The Bay was renovated and opened in 2013. Located in the historic Con Foster Museum, the Bijou is operated year-round by the community, and is the sister screen to the State Theatre.
The City Opera House — 112 1/2 E. Front Street →
- The City Opera house became the first commercial building in Traverse City to make use of the electric light in 1897. After closing down in the mid-forties and reopening in the mid-eighties, the Opera House has encountered numerous renovations and changes including the recently added balcony seating and grand entrance.
The Old Town Playhouse — 148 E. 8th Street
- The Old Town Playhouse was founded in 1960 to bring civic players to Traverse City via an amateur theater program. With a 358-seat main theater, the Old Town Playhouse brings stage events to the Traverse City area from the autumn through the summer. Located just a few blocks south of downtown.
Lars Hockstad Auditorium — 301 W. Seventh Street
- Located within Traverse City Central Grade School, Lars Hockstad is host to numerous events hosted by local schools and communities throughout the year. With 720 seats, Lars Hockstad is the largest venue for the Traverse City Film festival.
Milliken Auditorium — Dennos Museum Center, 1701 E. Front Street
- Located at Northwestern Michigan College, the Milliken Auditorium is the main stage at Traverse City’s premier cultural center. The museum’s 367-seat auditorium offers concerts and performing arts events throughout the year.
Dutmers Theatre — Dennos Museum Center, 1701 E. Front Street
- The more intimate theater within the Dennos Museum, the Dutmers Theatre offers only 35 seats and is used to show educational films to school groups throughout the year. The Traverse City Film Festival will use this space to host documentaries and experimental films.
The Buzz — InsideOut Gallery, 229 Garland St.
- ← Named after the late Buzz Wilson, The Buzz, located within Inside Out Gallery, is one of the festivals new locations. Unlike the other festival locations, The Buzz will be serving alcohol for patrons 21 and older to enjoy during the free film showings. The InsideOut Gallery is located in Traverse City’s Warehouse District.
Film School — 1701 E. Front St.
- Located just a few steps away from Milliken Auditorium the Film School, located in Scholars Hall of the Northwestern Michigan College campus, will offer classes twice daily Wednesday through Sunday throughout the festival.
Movies on a Boat — The Gas Dock in Clinch Marina
- Pack up your sea legs and set sail on the Nauti-Cat as you enjoy a film right out on the bay.
Read More about Movies On a Boat
The Patio at Clinch Park — Clinch Park, adjacent to Bijou by the Bay
- The Patio At Clinch Park is open to moviegoers to meet and discuss the noon and 3 pm Cinema Salon showings at the Bijou. Enjoy live music, and, on certain evenings, meet for panel discussions at 6 pm.