The panel discussions at Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival have long been a highlight of this Michigan film festival. Directors, screenwriters, actors take to the podium to discuss film topics and amongst themselves and to take questions about the world of filmmaking. This year, the 2010 Traverse City Film Festival will also host an improved Film School and a new Film Lounge which includes forums and live music.

Listed below is information on the panels, film school and forum. CLICK HERE FOR THE COMPLETE LINE-UP AT THE 2010 TRAVERSE CITY FILM FESTIVAL.

Panels

The week before the festival, the Traverse City Film Festival will announce the line up for one of the most popular festival offerings: the free daily film industry panels at the City Opera House. This is where our visiting filmmakers tell stories and offer opinions, mixing it up with each other and the audience. These sessions range from the hilarious to the moving. Theybegin at 9:30 am Wednesday-Sunday, so that you won’t miss lunch or your first movie at noon.

Free tickets for a given day’s panel are handed out beginning at 8:30 a.m. to guarantee seating. Ticketed patrons may leave and return to line up following the numbers on the panel tickets. A maximum of two tickets per person will be distributed.

Film School

We’re doubling the number of Film School classes offered this year and relocating to NMC’s Scholars Hall. We’re even planning a master class with famed animator Bill Plympton, one of America’s all-time great artists who has a short in this year’s festival. Look for the class schedule the week before the festival. Tickets are just $5 per class, and they run at 12 noon and 3 pm Wednesday through Saturday.

Film Lounge: Film Forum Series and Live Music

Lay Park on Union Street is the best festival destination to enjoy great live music and great film talk, and it’s free. The Film Forum series is NEW THIS YEAR: Wednesday through Saturday after specially designated noon and 3 pm movies (listed below), join fellow movie lowers in the Film Lounge park to discuss what you’ve just seen and heard in an informal community in the round format. And stay for great sets from volunteer musicians. Look for the entertainment schedule the week before festival, too.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Budrus: after noon movie 12th & Delaware: after 3 pm movie

Thursday, July 29, 2010
Waiting for “Superman”: after noon movieRestrepo: after 3 pm movie

Friday, July 30, 2010
American Radical: after noon movie8: The Mormon Proposition: after 3 pm movie

Saturday, July 31, 2010
Most Dangerous Man in America: after noon movieGasLand: after 3 pm movie

See the Traverse City Film Festival schedule in a glance…Buy Tickets…Read about special film events, Traverse City restaurants near each venue, how to make it a car-free festival and more on the MyNorth Film page.