07/21/2006

Daniels to get filmmaker award

BY CHRISTINE FINGER

cfinger@record-eagle.com

TRAVERSE CITY — This year's Traverse City Film Festival will kick off with honors for an actor and filmmaker renowned for his Michigan ties.

The inaugural Michigan Filmmaker Award will be presented July 31 — the festival's opening day — to Jeff Daniels, who founded the Purple Rose Theatre Company in his hometown of Chelsea.

Festival co-founder Michael Moore said the honor, expected to be awarded annually, aims to recognize a significant contributor to the film industry who was born or grew up or got started in Michigan. The winner is chosen by the festival's board of directors.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm will present the award during a 2:30 p.m. ceremony in front of the State Theatre. Moore said festival organizers thought it appropriate for Michigan's top elected official to bestow the statewide honor.

Daniels will attend the award ceremony, participate in opening night festivities and speak Aug. 1 during one of the festival's panel discussions. He also stars in "The Squid and the Whale," featured in this year's film lineup.

"This was really a coup for the festival," Moore said.

Granholm will be joined by other local and state officials, including Traverse City mayor Linda Smyka and state Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire.

Elsenheimer said festival organizers asked him to attend and he was eager to support the event, which he said advances the region's economy.

"Having people come to northern Michigan to see what we have to offer is always a benefit," he said. "I don't really care who's putting it on."

Moore said there is no shortage of filmmakers to honor in future years.

"There's so many great people that got their start in Michigan," he said. "We want the festival to act as an inspiration to young people and encourage a whole new generation of filmmakers."