Emberlight International Film Festival celebrates independent and diverse filmmakers from around the world.
For our inaugural season, we are celebrating the art of the Short Film – films of all genres that are 40 minutes or less. Emberlight will be screening animations, dramas, comedies, experimental films, thrillers, documentaries and more. We have received hundreds of submissions from over 35 countries and 6 continents. This year’s acceptance rate to the festival is less than 15%.
Film Festival Director, Colton Pometta, states, “In addition to supporting independent filmmakers, our international film fest is on a mission to give back to the community that makes our programming possible. Communities thrive and experience economic spurs when they welcome the film industry, often bringing new opportunities, new jobs and redevelopment. Emberlight is sowing the seeds to put the western Upper Peninsula on the filmmaking map. Both the local community and filmmakers will reap the benefits.”
Below is an overview of Emberlight’s 2021 programming. Please note that all foreign language films are presented with English subtitles.
Light Your Fire – Tuesday, August 31, 7:30pm
Our most awe-inspiring films from Finland, Spain, China and The United States
Off the Beaten Path – Wednesday, September 1st, 12:00pm
Experimental, surrealist, and one-of-a-kind comedic narratives by filmmakers from Finland, Mexico, China, France, Spain, Russia and The United States
Female Voices – Wednesday, September 1st, 2:30pm
Dramas, comedies and documentaries by female filmmakers from Iran, Pakistan, The United Kingdom, and The United States
The World as We Know It – Wednesday, September 1st, 5:00pm
Films that reflect today’s political and social climate through the lens of filmmakers from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Spain, The United Kingdom and The United States.
Courage • Strength • Survival – Thursday, September 2nd, 12:00pm
Empowering stories by filmmakers from Iran, Pakistan, The United Kingdom and The United States
The Artist’s Way – Thursday, September 2nd, 2:30pm
Films across all genres that highlight the life and process of artists by filmmakers from Argentina, Australia, Macedonia and The United States
Daydreams and Nightmares – Thursday, September 2nd, 5:00pm
Haunts, thrills and figments of imagination that will make you question reality by filmmakers from Australia, France, Guatemala, and The United States
Around the World in 80 Minutes – Thursday, September 2nd, 7:30pm
Authentic and diverse perspectives from across the globe by filmmakers from Argentina, Australia, France, Iran, Italy, Pakistan, and Russia
Laughs and Animations – Friday, September 3rd, 4:00pm
Animated narratives, comedies and musicals from Argentina, Australia, Italy and The United States
Tickets are available online at Emberlight.org/tickets or at the Leather & Gift Shop in Bessemer, MI.
The Emberlight Festival is also proud to offer nearly 20 free events in conjunction with the festival, including the world premiere of Dirk Wierenga’s “Route 2 Elsewhere”, Art in the Park (NOW OPEN!), the Film Festival Red Carpet Finale, and many more. The full festival schedule can be seen here: emberlight.org/2021season. Questions? Feel free to send us an email at media@emberlight.org.
The Emberlight Festival is committed to following every COVID-19 guideline set by the C.D.C. and the State of Michigan at the time of our events. Specific information can be found on our website.
The Emberlight Festival is produced by Theatre North, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.