Film festivals / Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor Film Festival
We couldn’t confirm it’s still running in 2026. Call or check its official site before you go.
It calls itself the oldest avant-garde and experimental film festival in the world: since 1963, six days, about 40 programs and more than 180 films from over 20 countries.
Quick facts
- Opened
- 1963
01 / Now showing
Now showing
Announced lineup
What the venue announced on its own site when we last checked (2026-09-26). Click through for exact times and tickets.
- Festival65th Ann Arbor Film Festival ↗
02 / The story of this place
Make time for these
George Manupelli founded the Ann Arbor Film Festival in 1963, and it bills itself as the oldest avant-garde and experimental film festival in the world. Over six days it presents about 40 programs with more than 180 films from over 20 countries, picked from more than 3,000 submissions a year. Kenneth Anger, Andy Warhol, Agnès Varda, Brian De Palma, George Lucas and Gus Van Sant all showed early work here. The 65th edition runs March 23-28, 2027, with submissions open July 1 to September 30, 2026.
- Bills itself as the oldest experimental film festival
- Six days, about 40 programs, 180-plus films
- 65th edition: March 23-28, 2027
Plan your visit
The festival takes place in Ann Arbor, and the next edition runs March 23-28, 2027. We couldn't confirm it's operating unchanged in 2026, so check aafilmfest.org or call (734) 995-5356 before you go.
Cinemas nearby
Back to cinemas ↗
Art houses & film societies / Ann Arbor
State Theatre
C. Howard Crane's Art Deco movie house on State Street, right next to the Michigan Theater. Once a 1,773-seat palace, it now shows art-house and independent films on four screens.
Film festivals / Ann Arbor
Cinetopia Film Festival
Ann Arbor's independent film festival at the downtown Michigan Theater and State Theatre: indie features, visiting filmmakers with Q&As, workshops and Michigan-made shorts.
Art houses & film societies / Ann Arbor
Michigan Theater
A restored 1928 movie palace on Liberty Street in downtown Ann Arbor, mixing film with concerts, comedy and live events.