By Ann Escamilla, Staff Reporter.
Films, music, and fun all in one weekend? What else could you ask for! From Sept. 25 to the 28 all three of those things happened during the 9th annual Hell’s Half Mile (HHM) film and music festival. The opening night party took place on the 25 at the Pere Marquette Depot in downtown Bay City. The small depot was packed with sponsors, producers, directors, and actors from the films. “I got my first acting award from this film festival for best supporting actress in last year’s “Loves Her Gun’s” and I didn’t even know I got it,” said Ashley Spillers who plays Julie in “Arlo & Julie”.
A mixture of music and good food helped guests to get excited for the festival activities.
The HHM event founder and director Allen LaFave said, “I’m always nervous. I hold this weight on my shoulders. I want everyone to have a good time.” It seemed everyone was enjoying themselves as the opening party winded down and guests headed to the State Theater for the opening night film, “Arlo & Julie” a quirky comedy directed by Steve Mims. “I tend to do a lot of projects. This is my first comedy,” said Mims.
Some directors and producers have attended larger festivals throughout the U.S. Director of the film “BFFs”, Andrew Putschoegl, has attended such festivals as Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Outfest Los Angeles. “You become a smaller fish in a big pond but here everyone is welcoming. I like the smaller festivals. I can focus here it’s great,” said Putschoegl.
Following the opening night movie an afterparty was hosted at Old City Hall in downtown Bay City for music and drinks. The opening music was performed by the Jamaican Queens, a techno hip-hop band from Detroit.
The fun continued over the next two days with films, workshops and panels being offered throughout the day. Saturday the 27 was the peak of the whole event. The day started bright and early at 10 a.m. as Delta student short films were played at the Delta College Planetarium. The festival happy hour took place at the Masonic Temple Club Room at 5:30 that evening. Over 30 people were stuffed into a small cramped room with four standing tables and a heat could kill, but everyone seemed perfectly happy to be where they were. The DJ was spinning music from the 70s and 80s as guests enjoyed free beer, wine, and food.
The happy hour was another opportunity for guests to mingle with directors, producers and actors. “I came to HHM once before. I’ve been having a great time. I saw four films,” said Jessica Shepherd of Saginaw. The happy hour was followed by music in the Masonic Temple Blue Room by The Mud Suns (Chesaning), PONYSHOW (Detroit), Hollow & Akimbo (Ann Arbor), The High Strung (Detroit), and Tunde Olaniran (Flint).
The music at the Masonic Temple winded down by 12:30 a.m., but the night didn’t end there. A secret after party took place at 1 a.m. at Intermission Deli in downtown Bay City. The secret show featured Alexis, an electronic glamrock band. The sub shop was full of laughter and dancing until the party wound down around 3 a.m.
The weekend came to a close Sept. 28 with the the final film “FOREV” at the State Theater. A total of 18 films and 15 bands/musicians were showcased Hell’s Half Mile this year. The festival staff plan on hosting small events throughout the coming year such as the Indie Music Showcase. For more information visit their website at hhmfest.com.
