The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) has awarded the Ann Arbor Film Festival a $7,200 grant that will fund a traveling tour of top short films from the upcoming 47th festival. Films will screen during the summer of 2009 in a dozen Michigan communities where regular access to artistically-inspired cinema is not typically available. Screenings will be free and open to the public.

This was the first time the AAFF applied for state funding since 2005, following the successful settlement of a federal lawsuit which removed objectionable state arts funding restrictions. "We have now come full circle with renewed funding from the State of Michigan, and we look forward to working together to strength our state's film culture," said Executive Director, Donald Harrison.

The AAFF has been a pioneer of the traveling film festival since 1964. The first tour included stops in Los Angeles, Berkeley, and Paris. This year, the 46^th AAFF Tour includes stops in Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit and New York.

Labels: censorship controversy, grants