IndependentFilm.com

Traverse City, Mich. (July 14, 2007) - The Traverse City Film Festival is going bigger and better for 2007. The festival, founded and programmed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore, will hold its third annual celebration of "great movies" on July 31-Aug. 5. Moore announced today that the festival will screen over 60 films in a variety of categories this year, including American Independent Cinema, New Foreign Cinema, Dangerous Docs, and Overlooked & Outstanding Films.

Also among this year's highlights: dedicated matinee screenings of Children's and Native American films; Midnight Madness, a selection of new cult-favorite horror films playing at special midnight showings; select screenings of classic films including a 40th anniversary celebration of "The Graduate" and a screening of "The Bridge on the River Kwai" on its 50th anniversary; and Mike's Surprise, a mystery film hand-picked by Moore to play closing night of the festival.

In addition to venues used in previous years, including the State Theatre, City Opera House, Old Town Playhouse, and free nighttime screenings in the Open Space park, the festival is also adding a fifth venue to its lineup this year. Lars Hockstad Auditorium, located in the neighborhood adjoining downtown Traverse City, will expand the number of screenings the festival can host, increasing the possibilities for moviegoers to get tickets to popular or sold-out shows.

"With the addition of Lars Hockstad, we hope to ensure everyone has an opportunity to see as many of the films they'd like to see as possible," said Moore. "It was important to us, too, that all of the venues remain within walking distance of each other. For that reason, Lars Hockstad was a natural choice for us."

Additional highlights of the festival, including discussion panel topics and a list of guest stars and directors attending this year's event, will be announced next week. Tickets go on sale to members of the Friends of the Festival at noon on Friday, July 13 (anyone who becomes a Friend before July 19 can also buy their tickets early), then to the general public one week later. Public tickets are limited to walk-ups only from noon until 6p.m. on July 20. After that, they'll be available for online and phone purchases, as well as through the box office daily from 12-8 p.m.

All tickets to regular film screenings are $8.50, except for the opening and closing night movies, which are $25. Open Space movies and panels are free, as is the children's screening for people under 18. Tickets for the opening and closing night parties are sold separately and are $50 each. All tickets can be purchased at the Main Box Office at 300 E. Front St. in Radio Center (next to Crema), downtown Traverse City; by phone at 231-922-0234; or online at www.traversecityfilmfest.org .