© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

LSO cartoon concert kicks off Capital City Film Festival

Two men fighting over trophy
Highway Goat Productions
The Capital City Film Festival will screen "Skips Stones for Fudge," a documentary about the rivalry between competitive stone skippers Russ Byers and Kurt Steiner.

Lansing area movie buffs are in for a treat.

The Capital City Film Festival returns for its sixth year this week.

The multi-media event will feature independent films, live music, and even video games.

The Lansing Symphony Orchestra kicks off the festival with a special performance on Wednesday.

Current State talked with the co-founder of the festival, Payal Ravani and LSO director Timothy Muffitt about what audiences can expect. 

The festival’s schedule is jam-packed with short films, documentaries and experimental narratives. 

“We’re probably showing over 85 films this year, and that includes short films, documentaries, experimental, narratives,” says Ravani. 

Festival organizers have also teamed up with some Lansing area organizations for special collaborations throughout the week. 

The Lansing Symphony Orchestra kicks off the festival with a symphonic accompaniment to classic cartoons at the Lansing Center on Wednesday evening. 

“It’s a remarkable presentation of some of the earliest animations that Walt Disney did – what he called the Silly Symphonies,” says Muffitt.

Walt Disney himself (well, a recording of his voice) will emcee the event, providing  commentary before each segment.

The director will have a click track in his ear to help him synch the rhythm of the music with what’s happening on screen.

“So when a skeleton is dancing on screen, we’ve got the beat for him,” says Muffitt.

Besides the LSO performance, the festival will also feature director and filmmaker appearances at some of the screenings. 

One of those is the film Skips Stones for Fudge.

“So, stone skipping is actually a pretty big hobby, especially here in Michigan, and part of the film was shot up in Marquette. So it’s about two men battling it out for the world record in stone skipping.” 

So how exactly does fudge factor into that? 

“You’ll have to watch it to find out,” says Ravani. 

Ravani says the festival has grown significantly since it was founded in 2010, and she’s optimistic that it will continue to provide a unique experience for Lansing area residents.

“For six years now we’ve stressed quality over quantity,” says Ravani. “I think that as long as that remains at the core of the festival, then it will have an audience.”

Article by Ethan Merrill, Current State Intern 

Related Content
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!