ANN ARBOR—The engaging creative work of University of Michigan faculty, students and graduates explores the aesthetics and democratization of filmmaking at this year’s Ann Arbor Film Festival, March 27-April 1.

Among the featured faculty films are:

• Leigthton’s Piecre’s video installation of an environment designed for photo-narratives at the Slusser Gallery, located at the U-M School of Art and Design.
• Phil Solomon’s epic examination of 20th-century American history at Work Gallery in downtown Ann Arbor.
• Chris McNamara’s multimedia diorama and meditation on “capitalist cities” as a site for collective memory.
• Scott Northrup’s vigil for his grandmother, a woman of “great faith.”
• Kyle Kramer, Jacob Mendel, Kevin Serota and Edmund Zagoin’s 3D surround sound installation that explores abandoned production zones in the industrial Midwest.

Short and animated films produced by U-M students offer a close look at the techniques and favorite subjects of today’s apprentice filmmakers. Below is an overview of the films created by U-M students and graduates in this year’s Ann Arbor Film Festival:

• “Reckford” by Sean Thompson — A recent graduate of the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Thompson is currently collaborating on an upcoming animation project along with pursuing freelance animation work, and editing paintball videos.
• “A Piece of Life” by Chase Becsey and Jamie Lee — Case Becsey is a film student at the University of Michigan. “As a filmmaker, I seek to grow by paying particular attention to the medium specificity of film, in hopes of garnering a better understanding of the intricacies that make up the ever-changing world of cinema.” Lee is finishing her studies in Communications at U-M. “I have become enthralled with the art of film and its uncanny ability to portray artistic expression on screen.”
• “Instructions for Urban Explorations” by Perry Janes — Janes is a writer and aspiring filmmaker. A U-M senior, he is currently in postproduction on his short film, “Zug.”
• “The Date” by Cynthia Greig — Greig received her MFA from U-M (1995) and studied filmmaking while pursuing a degree in art history from the University of Iowa (MA 1988). During the 1990s she served as a screener and board member for the Ann Arbor Film Festival.
• “The Arson of History” by Kristen Zelenka — Zelenka will graduate in April with honors from U-M with a major in art and design and minor in screen arts. She has also directed “Wired Seoul,” served as production designer on student films, and was director of photography for the TEDx U of M Spotlight interview series.

For more information on the Ann Arbor Film Festival, visit: www.aafilmfest.org

For more information on the arts at the University of Michigan, visit: www.montage.umich.edu