The Fresh Roast

2019 • USA • 7 min • Cameron Mattson & Matthew Key

Filmmaker in Attendance

Growing Freedom follows a family with humble origins turning their passion for farming into a rapidly expanding agricultural entrepreneurship. They’re bringing a new meaning to “homegrown” in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

2023 • United States • 41 min • Rory K. McHarg & Bret Miller

Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, First Time Filmmaker, Staff Pick

Bell’s Two-Hearted Ale is America’s No.1 IPA. The now infamous & iconic trout image is found in every convenience store nationwide. The legends behind this label and many others have been buried in folklore for nearly 40 years, but the vision created at Bell’s started a revolution in the craft brewing industry that changed what a beer label could be. This is the unconventional story of an artist whose love of fishing, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and beer found its way into every store in America. Dave Chapelle, during a comedy set in Kalamazoo said aloud, “Why the hell did you put a fish on the label?” However, eccentric artist Ladislav Hanka’s reasoning is simple yet personal. Just like the rest of his artwork.

2022 • USA • 20 min • Cameron Mattson and Kevin Paczesny

Filmmaker in Attendance, Adult Language, Michigan Premiere, Subject in Attendance, World Premiere

In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a rather unique subculture steeped in craft brewing has been growing since the mid 1990’s. This film explores that story by giving voice to some of the pioneers and newcomers behind the phenomenon they have come to call, “The Rising Tide”.