Oakland University's fourth annual Grizzdance film festival, a three-day event showcasing some of the university's most talented student filmmakers, is slated to run Wednesday, Nov. 12, through Friday, Nov. 14. Screenings of all student film entries will be held in the Oakland Center Fireside Lounge all three days from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. OU students are invited to enjoy refreshments and vote for the Student Choice Award.
“This is a very exciting event,” said Sean Buono, president of Grizzdance. “Our organization is helping expand film opportunities at OU, and we are fortunate to have the full support of the administration.” Buono said he is optimistic about the growth of the film industry in Michigan, citing the state’s new tax incentives to attract movie producers and create industry jobs. He hopes such efforts will one day lead to the establishment of a film department at OU.
Grizzdance will also mark the world premiere of “Pendragon: Sword of his Father,” an independent film chronicling the Saxon invasion of England circa 400 A.D. The film is produced by Burns Family Studios, a production company featuring OU students Aaron Burns and Marilyn Burns. The film will be shown Wednesday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. in the Oakland Center Gold Rooms.
An awards banquet will be held Friday, Nov. 14, from 7-8 p.m. in the Banquet Rooms of the Oakland Center. Prizes will be given following a keynote address by Rich Brauer, filmmaker and owner of Brauer Productions, the leading multimedia imaging company in northern Michigan. In addition to serving prominent businesses such as Chrysler Corporation, Subway Restaurants, and MTV, Brauer has worked with several noted actors, including Michigan natives Tim Allen and Jeff Daniels.
In addition, Grizzdance hosts an annual event during the winter semester that includes a screening of a newly released major film, followed by a question-and-answer session with the production team. This event is slated for March 2009 and will feature the documentary "FLOW: For the Love of Water," a critique of the bottled water industry's pursuit of profits in the face of looming fresh water shortages worldwide.
Grizzdance is free and open to everyone. The event is cosponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, Student Technology Center, Honors College Student Association, Student Video Productions, Filmmakers Guild, Honors College, Department of English, Center for Multicultural Initiatives, Sociology Club, International Allies, Student Program Board and Center for Student Activities.
For more information on Grizzdance, visit the Grizzdance Web site or e-mail grizzdance@gmail.com.