Did you ever stop and think about how cool it is that, if you wanted to, you could go to a different film event every night of the week in Metro Detroit? I know some of you take this as a personal challenge! Looking at this week’s schedule, it’s clear that we are spoiled for choice in this city.
Here are a few of this week’s highlights:
The 63rd Ann Arbor Film Festival, runs now through Sun 3/30
For each day I’ve included a link to the full schedule, and listed the Special Programs. There is so much more to explore in their schedule, I encourage you to check this celebration of experimental film.
Cinema Detroit’s fundraiser - These Are My Friends: An Evening with Satori Circus - World Premiere - Sun 3/30
Includes live performance and Q&A with the performers and filmmakers
Georges Méliès films with live accompaniment at the DFT this weekend - a free event with admission to the DIA!
Motor City Cinema Society’s Evening of Shorts, Vol 2, projected on 16mm - Mon 3/31
This was my favorite event of theirs in 2024, excited to see what rare gems they’ve put together this time!
Also, Francis Ford at the Henry Ford tickets go on sale this Friday at 9am! They changed the date after I sent out last week’s newsletter - so it’s not too late to get your tickets.
Support your local theaters, go out to a movie!
Colleen
Reminders:
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Screening information is subject to change, please double check the theater websites before heading out to a show.
Local Cinema Happenings
3/26 – 4/1
Unique screenings, classic movies, one night only events
Wednesday 3/26/25
Ann Arbor Film Festival
Special Programs:
Analog Dreaming, Jon Behrens Memorial, 5pm - Michigan Theater Screening Room, featuring guests from Motor City Cinema Society
50 Years of De-Evolution, the Restored Films of DEVO (1976 – 1984), 7:30pm - Michigan Theater Main Auditorium
Detroit Public Library - Main Branch
HYPE Teen Center: Wednesday Movies, 4:30pm
“Join us for a fun and relaxed movie night where you get to help choose the film. Ages 13-18.”
Milford Independent Cinema
Wicked Sing-A-Long (2024), 7pm
UFO Film Club
Screenings usually start at 8:30pm on Wednesdays, check their Instagram for updates - at UFO Bar, Detroit
Thursday 3/27/25
Ann Arbor Film Festival
Special Programs:
What about China? (2022, dir. Trinh T. Minh-ha), 9pm - Michigan Theater Screening Room
Birmingham 8
Inland Empire (2006, dir. David Lynch), 6:15pm, 7:30pm, 8pm - the last installment of the Absurda - A Lynch Retrospective series
Doom City Cinema
Black Sabbath (1963, Italy), 8pm, at The High Dive, Hamtramck
Historic Howell Theater
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2003, extended edition), 6pm
Lowkey Cinema
Enter the Void (2010, France/Germany/Italy/Canada/Japan, dir. Gaspar Noé), 8pm
Milford Independent Cinema
Wicked Sing-A-Long (2024), 7pm
Redford Theatre
Unconditional (2023, documentary), 5pm - free!
Friday 3/28/25
Ann Arbor Film Festival
Special Programs:
Bodies in Motion and Film, 7pm - Michigan Theater Screening Room
Arab American National Museum
2025 Screening and Workshop: Making Spaces of Possibility, 11am – 2pm
Presented by the American Association of Geographers, “Join us for a workshop to consider how filmmaking can create spaces of possibility to help us challenge some of today’s major problems related to climate and social justice.”
Detroit Film Theatre
Georges Méliès: Right in the Eye, 7pm - 75 minutes
Free with general admission
“This live production showcases twelve of Méliès’ silent films, accompanied by a spellbinding live score performed by three virtuoso musicians.”
Doom City Cinema
The Devil Rides Out (1968, UK), Fri 3/28, 7pm, at Carbon Athletic Club, Detroit
Historic Howell Theater
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2003, extended edition), 6pm
Redford Theatre
A League of Their Own (1992, dir. Penny Marshall), 8pm
Saturday 3/29/25
Ann Arbor Film Festival
Special Programs:
Tenacity, 1pm - Michigan Theater Screening Room
Devo, 5:30pm - Michigan Theater Main Auditorium
Constellations Super-8 (2009 – 2024), 7pm - Michigan Theater Screening Room
Detroit Film Theatre
Georges Méliès: Right in the Eye, 2pm - 55 minutes
Free with general admission
“This live production showcases twelve of Méliès’ silent films, accompanied by a spellbinding live score performed by three virtuoso musicians.”
Youth (Hard Times) (2024, France/Luxembourg/Netherlands, documentary), 7pm
One ticket includes admission to both Youth (Hard Times), 3/29 and Youth (Homecoming), 3/30
Historic Howell Theater
Terrifier 2 (2022), event featuring Casey Hartnett and Sarah Voigt, 2pm – 9pm
2pm - doors open for signing with actors Casey Hartnett and Sarah Voigt
6pm - Q&A
7pm - screening of Terrifier 2
Senate Theater
Rumble in the Bronx (1995, Hong Kong/USA), doors at 7pm, organ overture at 7:30pm, show at 8pm
Redford Theatre
The Sandlot (1993), 2pm
A League of Their Own (1992, dir. Penny Marshall), 8pm
Sunday 3/30/25
Ann Arbor Film Festival
Special Programs:
SCREAM IT OUT OF YOU: 6 Films by Luther Price, 12pm - Michigan Theater Screening Room - tickets running out!
Naked Spaces: Living is Round (dir. Trinh T. Minh-ha), 2pm - Michigan Theater Screening Room
Cinema Detroit
These Are My Friends: An Evening with Satori Circus - World Premiere (2025), Sun 3/30, doors at 5pm, show at 5:30pm, at Planet Ant Theater, Hamtramck
This fundraiser event includes the World Premiere of the film, live performance by Konrad Lee, and a Q&A with Satori Circus and filmmakers after the film
Detroit Film Theatre
Youth (Homecoming) (2024, France/Luxembourg/Netherlands, documentary), 2pm
One ticket includes admission to both Youth (Hard Times) 3/29, and Youth (Homecoming) 3/30
Historic Howell Theater
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2003, extended edition), 6pm
Monday 3/31/25
Detroit Public Library - Edison Branch
Anime Movie Mondays - For Teens, 3:30pm
Milford Independent Cinema
Dinner and a Movie: The Big Chill (1983), 5:30pm - tickets to dinner are sold out, but you can purchase a ticket to attend just the screening
5:30pm - dinner at River’s Edge Brewing Co.
7pm - screening of The Big Chill
Motor City Cinema Society
An Evening of Shorts: Vol 2, doors at 6:30, show at 7pm - on 16mm
Tuesday 4/1/25
Historic Howell Theater
April Fool’s Day (1986), 7pm
Marquee Arts: Michigan Theater
The French Dispatch (2021, dir. Wes Anderson), 7pm - part of the Complete Wes Anderson series
New Releases
Where to find new releases at local, independent theaters
Farmington Civic Theater
Black Bag (dir. Steven Soderbergh) - opens Fri 3/28
Marquee Arts: Michigan Theater
No Other Land (Palestine, documentary) - moves from State Theatre on Mon 3/31
Thank You Very Much (documentary) - opens Mon 3/31
Marquee Arts: State Theatre
Anora - through Sun 3/30
Black Bag (dir. Steven Soderbergh)
Death of a Unicorn - opens Fri 3/28
Eephus - through Thu 3/27
Mickey 17 (dir. Bong Joon-ho)
No Other Land (Palestine, documentary) - moves to Michigan Theater on Mon 3/31
Novocaine - through Thu 3/27
The Penguin Lessons (Spain/US/Ireland/UK) - advanced screening Thu 3/27, opens Fri 3/28
There’s Still Tomorrow (Italy) - through Thu 3/27
Milford Independent Cinema
Eephus - opens Fri 3/28
Coming Soon
Upcoming screenings through 4/9/25
Detroit Film Theatre
Misericordia (2024, France), Fri 4/4 – Sun 4/6
Doom City Cinema
Dead and Buried (1981), Thu 4/3, 7pm - at Mutiny Bar, Detroit
Historic Howell Theater
A Minecraft Movie (2025) - opens Fri 4/4
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure (1985, dir. Tim Burton), Mon 4/7, 7pm
Italian Film Festival USA
Full schedule here, hosted by various cities in MI, 4/6 – 4/27
Cities include: Ann Arbor, Clinton, Detroit, East Lansing, Livonia
Detroit Film Theatre screening dates: Sun 4/6, Wed 4/9, Sun 4/27
Marquee Arts: Michigan Theater
Heat (1995, dir. Michael Mann), Thu 4/3, 8pm
Bob Trevino Likes It (2025), opens Fri 4/4
The Friend (2025), advanced screening Thu 4/3, opens Fri 4/4
BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival 2024-25 World Tour, Sun 4/6, 7pm
UnBroken: Would You Hide Me? (2023, US/Germany/Israel, documentary), Mon 4/7, 5:30pm
Asteroid City (2023, dir. Wes Anderson), Tue 4/8, 7pm
Marquee Arts: State Theatre
Milford Independent Cinema
A Minecraft Movie (2025) - opens Fri 4/4
Grizzly Man (2005, dir. Werner Herzog, documentary), Mon 4/7, 7pm
Motor City Cinema Society
Liquid Sky (1982), 7pm
Penn Theatre
Casablanca (1942), Thu 4/3, 7pm; Fri 4/4, 7pm
Blessed Solanus Casey’s Journey to Sainthood (2019, documentary), Sun 4/6, 5pm
Redford Theatre
When Harry Met Sally… (1989), Fri 4/4, 8pm
The Three Stooges Festival, Sat 4/5, 2pm, 8pm
Senate Theater
VHS Detroit
Detroit Theaters:
Cinema Detroit - Cinema Lamont - Detroit Film Theatre
Doom City Cinema - Lowkey Cinema - Motor City Cinema Society
Redford Theatre - Senate Theater - Slimeball Cinerama
Southeast Michigan Theaters:
Farmington Civic Theater - Historic Howell Theater
Marquee Arts: Michigan Theater - Marquee Arts: State Theatre
Support your local theaters, go out to a movie!
