12/15/2006

Filmmakers join TC's festival board

George

Charles

TRAVERSE CITY — Two prominent filmmakers have joined the Traverse City Film Festival's board of directors.

Larry Charles and Terry George, who were both on hand during the 2006 Traverse City Film Festival, are the new additions to the board. They join the three original members, who include festival founder and Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore, photographer John Robert Williams and author Doug Stanton.

"This decision by Doug, John and me is to acknowledge that the TCFF has two missions: bring great films to northern Michigan and be advocates for preserving the fine art of cinema,” Moore said via email earlier this week. "Our two constituencies are the people of this area and people anywhere who love film.

"We want from now on to have a small representation of the filmmaking community on this board, as they do at Sundance and Telluride. That can only help to make this a better and more popular festival.”

Charles directed "Borat,” which made its North American premiere at last summer's festival. The largest-grossing comedy of the year, "Borat” was named one of the 10 best films of 2007 by the American Film Institute this week. Charles was also one of the original writers of "Seinfeld,” a director of "Curb Your Enthusiasm” and a writer/producer on HBO's "Entourage.”

George, who directed the Academy Award-nominated "Hotel Rwanda,” also attended the Traverse City festival this year, co-teaching a master class for aspiring student filmmakers with Moore. The Belfast-born George was also nominated for an Academy Award for co-writing "In the Name of the Father.” He is now directing a movie starring Jennifer Connelly and Joaquin Phoenix that will be released next year.

Moore said that both Charles and George were so impressed with the people they met and the time they spent in Traverse City at last year's festival that both said they wanted to return and do more to support it. In addition, Charles' children have attended Interlochen's summer arts camp.

"We are proud and honored that both Larry and Terry will be part of our growing festival,” said Moore. "It's a nice sign that what we are doing here in Traverse City has captured the attention of some of the country's best filmmakers.”

Moore said that while the board remains locally controlled, the two new members will be more than figureheads.

"They will be actively involved,” he said.

While the start date for this year's festival is still being determined, organizers know that closing night will be Sunday, Aug. 5.