When the Michigan Film Incentives vanished back in 2015, did Michigan filmmaking disappear along with it? No way! Independent filmmakers were here long before the incentives and remain here after, and they are only increasing in number, productivity, and talent. Here we’ll profile several different filmmakers, film commentators, and a movie theater film coordinator to help showcase some of the wide variety of film/video activity happening right now in Grand Rapids!
Joel Potrykus (Sob Noisse Movies)
Beginning with his first feature film APE winning Best New Director Prize at Switzerland’s Locarno Film Festival in 2012, Joel Potrykus and his filmmaking band Sob Noisse have been on a roll. Potrykus’ films are uniquely his own vision, often walking a knife edge between humor and horror. His fifth and most recent feature film VULCANIZADORA made its world premiere at Robert De Niro’s Tribeca Film Festival in New York, where it won Special Jury Mention for Performance in a U.S. Feature.
The film went on to win Best Narrative Feature at the Oak Cliff Film Festival and made its international premiere at Fantasia Film Festival 2024 in Montreal. This is surely only the beginning of a healthy festival run! In addition to being probably the most successful independent filmmaker to come out of Grand Rapids, Potrykus also teaches filmmaking at Grand Valley State University, his alma mater. Joel says, “Since losing our tax incentives in 2015, many filmmakers split to L.A. or Atlanta to make a living. It’s been inspiring to see hometown independent filmmakers dig their heels in and keep the scene alive. One of the goals of teaching at Grand Valley is to show young filmmakers how to be relevant to the industry without leaving home.”
Nicholas Hartman (Grand Rapids Film Society and Open Projector Night)
Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids is home to two great resources for classic and independent films, The Grand Rapids Film Society and Open Projector Night. Wealthy Theater Film Coordinator Nicholas Hartman explains, “I remember graduating from film school and more than half of my peers either moved out to LA or NY in hopes of finding a career in film/television. The reason they did this is because, well, there’s no scene here, and if there isn’t a scene, why would you stay? This was alarming, because if we keep moving away, we’ll never establish anything in our community.
“Through Wealthy Theatre and the Grand Rapids Film Society, this is what I want to change. I want to influence film graduates/makers to have a community. I want to provide a place where they can build a scene and be an example of what the Michigan film scene is capable of. How are we doing this? Well, through Open Projector Night we’re providing Michigan filmmakers not only a place to play their film on the big screen, but a community to network with other filmmakers.
“We’ve created roundtables where filmmakers, cinephiles, and writers can gather monthly to discuss film and long-term goals. We’ve created pitch nights where writers can pitch their scripts to filmmakers in hopes of getting them made. We’re also about to have our first even Rough-Cut Night. This allows filmmakers to see their work on the big screen with a group of peers to provide feedback before they submit it to festivals.
“Finally, we’re thoughtfully curating our screen to provide our audiences with thoughtful, unique, and engaging film programming.
Grand Rapids may not be LA, but at least in GR you’re not just another drop in the pond, you’re part of a community where you will be recognized.” For more information on the Grand Rapids Film Society and Open Projector Night, go to grcmc.org/theatre/grfilm. Editor’s Note: Wealthy Theatre, in partnership with the Grand Rapids Film Society, will host the Grand Rapids Film Festival this year with several events slated to take place Sept. 20-22 during ArtPrize.
Chris Randall & Keith Golinski (Fulvew)
Longtime Grand Rapids production team Chris Randall and Keith Golinski have worked in both the commercial and narrative film/video worlds for nearly 20 years. Catch their national PBS series “J Schwanke’s Life in Bloom,” now going into its Seventh season, Fulvew’s first feature film AMERICA’S MOST HAUNTED, best described as “Scarier than ‘Ghostbusters’ and funnier than ‘Poltergeist!’” is currently available on Amazon Prime, Tubi, and other streaming services. Their most recent spooky short film ABANDONED has gone viral, with over 2.5 million views on YouTube. With all the national and even global buzz the short has received, Randall and Golinski are currently developing ABANDONED to pitch as a feature-length film, and potentially an ongoing series. Find more information on Fulvew Productions at fulvew.com and check out ABANDONED at youtube.com/watch?v=2ul2vOA39cU.
Jim Schaub (Clear Vision Films)
Director Jim Schaub has unleashed his brand-new documentary BUSTER KEATON: HOME, which reveals the untold story of famed comedian Buster Keaton’s fascinating connection to Muskegon, Michigan. The film features many fascinating interviews and even animated re-enactments from veteran Michigan animator, Jim Middleton! Special appearances from comedy legend Carl Reiner and a longtime friend of Keaton, the late, great James Karen! BUSTER KEATON: HOME has won Best Feature Film at the Toronto Documentary Feature & Short Film Festival, kicking off its festival run. Onward and upward! More info at busterkeatonhome.com.
Jacob de la Rosa / Kathryn Postema (Perelandra Pictures)
Perelandra Pictures’ Grand Rapids produced science fiction series REAL AMERICAN follows Anastasia Atwood (Nathalie Galde), a news producer covering politics in an alternate timeline where aliens live among us as refugees. She’s at risk of becoming the story when an authoritarian’s rise to power threatens to expose her deepest secret. Director Jacob de la Rosa and Producer Kathryn Postema add, “More than ever, we feel it is crucial to highlight the dangers of politicians who dehumanize immigrants, people of color, and LGBTQ+ persons.” Fittingly, the series will conclude in time for the upcoming election. All episodes of REAL AMERICAN are available on YouTube and at perelandrapictures.com.
Daniel E. Falicki (Rotomation Films)
Virtually a one-man-band, from directing, camerawork, makeup, and physical effects, to post-production wizardry, filmmaker Daniel E. Falicki has made more than ten feature films over the last decade. His magnum opus, the fantasy epic DWARFHAMMER has been in the works for many years and is finally nearing completion and a 2025 premiere. This writer has seen a rough cut of the film, and all I can say is, prepare to be blown away. Any fan of classic ’80s fantasy adventure is going to be in barbarian hog heaven. Keep an eye out for his upcoming side project, the thriller BONE HILL.
Dean Wilson (Blind Faith)
Long out-of-print on VHS, 1988’s BLIND FAITH, the very first feature length movie made completely in Grand Rapids by actual Grand Rapidians (!) has finally been given a proper release in 2024, in the form of a loaded special edition Blu-ray from OCN Distribution! Director Dean Wilson brings forth a unique slasher/thriller hybrid, based on the true story of Philadelphia serial killer Gary Heidnik, and starring David Winick in a ferocious performance! The OCN Blu-ray release also features Wilson’s films FREE AMERIKKKA BROADCAST, CLAYTON COUNTY LINE, and many more. An essential purchase for those interested in where Grand Rapids indie filmmaking truly began. Available at vinegarsyndrome.com/products/blind-faith.
Walt Lodes III/Adam Mikrut/Leslie Rader (Two Drunk Dorks, Early Morning Film Productions) Who likes pop culture? Who likes drinking? If you like both, then the YouTube series TWO DRUNK DORKS may be for you (but be sure to drink responsibly!) There’s plenty of opinionated commentary and alcoholic beverages to be found, as Walt Lodes III, Adam Mikrut, and Producer Leslie Rader imbibe libations and discuss all manner of dorky pop culture. On the filmmaking side of things, Walt and Adam’s horror/comedy feature film RETURN OF THE SCARECROW can found on Amazon, Tubi, and most streaming services. They are currently developing a new scary anthology film for 2025, HARPER LAKE HORROR. Watch TWO DRUNK DORKS at: youtube.com/@twodrunkdorks.
Joshua Courtade / Diane Kowalski (Chuck’s Boy Productions)
The prolific team of Director Joshua Courtade and Producer/Production Designer Diane Kowalski have created six feature films over the last decade and show no signs of slowing down! Catch Courtade’s latest horror/comedy MOON GHOST on Tubi and keep an eye out for the upcoming sequel MOON GHOST RETURNS, coming soon! More information at chucksboy.com.
Jason Roth (Bargain Basement Productions)
In the spirit of self-promotion (cough, cough) I’ll mention that my crime/zombie feature TOO DEAD TO DIE will make its streaming premiere this year. Development continues on my long-percolating animated series, STICKY FINGERS, and I’ll be returning to live-action arena in 2025 with my urban spaghetti western feature, DUSTY. Stay tuned! (Here endeth the plug.)
There have been many rumblings of a potential return of the Michigan film incentives, but rest assured, the independent filmmakers of Grand Rapids will continue creating art and entertainment— incentives, or no-incentives. Streaming services like Amazon Prime and Tubi are helping to give a national, even global reach to films that would once have only played a few local theaters. From veteran filmmakers to brand new up-and-comers, the film scene in Grand Rapids is one to keep an eye on. Support your hometown filmmakers!
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