Michigan Theater Announces Cinetopia, First International Film Festival 

The Michigan Theater announced the inauguration of Cinetopia, a new International Film Festival, to take place May 31-June 3, 2012 at the stately historic theater located in the heart of downtown Ann Arbor.  

The 85-year-old center for fine film exhibition, which opened January 5, 1928, will have more than 30 films exhibited at the first-time festival and expects several thousand film lovers to attend, explained Russ Collins, executive director of the Michigan Theater and a leader in cultural arts and entertainment in the United States for the past 30 years.

"We have been contemplating a Film Festival of significant magnitude for some time. Southeast Michigan can support a festival similar in scale to International Festivals in Toronto, Berlin, Park City, Venice, Cannes, Traverse City and Cleveland," said Collins, who has led the nationally acclaimed and award winning historic theater and Art House cinema since 1982.

Worldwide, some 4,000 such festivals exist and create excitement and strong economic benefits for each specific region.

Cinetopia Program and Locations

The Festival will include feature films and documentaries produced around the world,

3D movies both old and new, classic cinema, recognized speakers and scholars to comment on films, as well as movie stars and directors.

Films will be screened at the Michigan Theater, the nearby art deco State Theater, Angell Hall on the University of Michigan campus and other satellite venues around the city. Collins expects the Festival will be expanded into Detroit area venues in future years.

This year's inaugural program will feature films previously premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, films culled from Berlin, Toronto, Tribeca, Venice and other world-renowned festivals, screenings of films by silent-era star Harold Lloyd and featuring a live appearance by Mr. Lloyd's granddaughter Suzanne (who is curator of the Harold Lloyd Trust) and 3D films using the newest digital techniques and classic celluloid 3D.

Classic and contemporary films demonstrating the rich heritage of screenwriting, the University of Michigan's primary contribution to world cinema culture, also will be featured. Lawrence Kasdan and Arthur Miller are just two of the screenwriters who have been products of the University of Michigan. This year, Cinetopia will celebrate the screenwriting craft of David Newman, best known for his screenplays for "Bonnie and Clyde," "What's Up Doc" and "Superman."

Broad Vision of Growth

Collins' envisions building on the inaugural year's results and expanding Cinetopia over several years into an 11-day festival of films and culture.

"We're thinking big because Ann Arbor is already recognized as a center for creativity and the arts," Collins said. "We want to grow Cinetopia to generate impact like that of the Ann Arbor Summer Street Fairs, Arts, Beats and Eats in Royal Oak, and the Detroit Jazz Festival, similar to other successful film festivals that many cities across the world now have."

The team of specialists driving development of Cinetopia includes Collins as line producer; Amanda Bynum, chief programmer; Brian Hunter, associate programmer; and Scott Clarke, technical director. All are seasoned veterans of building the Michigan Theater into one of the Nations leading providers in cinematic and cultural programs.

About the Cinetopia International Film Festival

The Michigan Theater proudly hosts the first-ever Cinetopia International Film Festival, presented by AT&T, featuring specially selected independent and foreign cinema from the festival circuit and across the globe. Themes of the festival include 3D filmmaking, Michigan screenwriters, and a diverse selection of celebrated contemporary comedies, documentaries and dramas.

With screenings of more than 30 films over four days, Cinetopia will take place at the Michigan Theater and across the University campus. Great film happens here - join us May 31 through June 3 for the inaugural Cinetopia International Film Festival!  More information, including ticket prices and packages, available at http://www.michtheater.org/cinetopia 

Support for this inaugural festival program comes from presenting sponsor AT&T and charter sponsors Zingerman's Community of Businesses, Dickinson Wright of Ann Arbor, Money Source Financial Services, Weiser Center for Europe and Eurasia, Whole Foods Market of Ann Arbor and the International Institute at the University of Michigan. Media sponsors for Cinetopia include The Ann Arbor Observer, Detroit Jewish News, The Metro Times and Michigan Radio.   

About the Michigan Theater

Now celebrating its 85th year, the Michigan Theater is Ann Arbor's not-for-profit historic center for fine film and performing arts. Winner of the 2006 Outstanding Historic Theater award, it was designated as an official venue of the Sundance Film Festival for the past three years. The theater is located in downtown Ann Arbor at 603 East Liberty Street. Please visit http://michtheater.org for more info. The 24-hour information line is (734) 668-TIME.

Eiler Communications Co-founder, Larry Eiler, named Michigan Small Business Journalist of the Year by U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration named winners of its annual Michigan Small Business awards. Each year, the SBA honors a select few exceptional small business owners and champions, on the basis of several factors including their innovativeness, staying power and contributions to their community.

Larry Eiler was named the Michigan Small Business Journalist of the Year for 2012, for his work regarding ReNEW: Michigan and his ongoing reporting and involvement in the economic and business rejuvenation and improvement throughout the state.

Eiler was specifically awarded for his unique efforts developing ReNEW: Michigan, a multi-dimensional project including a radio show, podcasts, and periodic surveys designed to highlight new development across the state. Eiler's weekly radio segment on WLBY 1290 am provides a forum for such discussion, with contributions from well-known and highly regarded business owners and leaders in Michigan.

Eiler's work has sought to spur the ongoing economic development appearing across the state. Frequently contributing expertise to small business owners through specific avenues, including guest features in well-known business publications such as Crain's Detroit Business, Eiler has continued to increase awareness of the importance of small business in Michigan's recovering economy.

The success of these efforts to devise and rebuild expectations has been vastly important in regards to the success of the reinvigoration of Michigan's economy through Governor Rick Snyder's "Relentless Positive Action" philosophy. Small business accomplishment is the cornerstone of Michigan's economic recovery and every contribution is uniquely important in redefining Michigan.

"We need to build on the past decade, set realistic, achievable expectations, measure what's done and rebuild the superior business environment we once had," said Eiler in a guest feature in Crain's.

Eiler welcomes three new interns for 2012 summer  

Eiler is no stranger to providing bright, enthusiastic students a place to intern and thus develop and hone necessary and invaluable hands-on skills in the public relations field. Previous interns have gone on to work in a multitude of different areas of the field, from hospital work to Google.

This summer Eiler welcomes  Kelly Etz, Emily Magyar and Emmy Mills. As interns, these students will be exposed to all aspects of the PR process, from strategy to execution. The students will gain experience in areas they have previously only studied and utilize this time as preparation for future careers.

Eiler is proud to include interns on each part of the public relations process, allowing them to immediately become "part of the team." Interns are thrust right into the work routine and contribute continuously from drafting press releases to brainstorming ideas.

Eiler has carefully selected three of the brightest candidates as interns for the 2012 summer season, looking for intelligent, detail-oriented workers with an enthusiasm for the public relations field.

Kelly Etz will be entering her junior year at the University of Michigan in the fall. 

Emily Magyar will be entering her junior year at Michigan State University in the fall. 

Emmy Mills will be entering her junior year at the University of Michigan in the fall.