Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance
Food security is an issue for residents of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. (In)Security explores the food systems in the U.P., and how a few organizations are working to improve access to quality food.
Michigan
33 films at Fresh Coast 2025
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(In)Security
1969: Killers, Freaks, and Radicals
Filmmaker in Attendance, First Time Filmmaker, Adult Language, Adult Themes, Staff Pick
Amid the radical politics and cultural upheaval of the late 1960s, a series of brutal murders targeting young women gripped the twin university towns of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, Michigan. This independent documentary examines not just a series of crimes, but the social and political tensions that enabled them—many of which still resonate today.
A Caregivers Journey
Family Friendly
A Caregivers Journey puts a spotlight on the lives and experiences of two Michigan caregivers who are caring for their aging loved ones. It’s a heartfelt first-hand look at the joy and challenges that come with caregiving.
A Paranormal Night in Eagle Harbor Lighthouse
Filmmaker in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, World Premiere
On the shores of the Keweenaw Peninsula, a group of paranormal investigators break out their ghost hunting equipment and expertise to prove the historic Eagle Harbor Lighthouse is haunted. But their evidence leaves some unconvinced.
Boundless Water
Filmmaker in Attendance
“Boundless Waters” tells the story of Jorden Susewitz - a seasoned conventional fisherman who had seemingly reached the pinnacle of his smallmouth bass pursuits. Feeling a sense of stagnation, he discovered the art of fly fishing, igniting a newfound passion and opening up a world of angling opportunities.
Camp Daggett - A Centennial Celebration
Family Friendly
A heartwarming tribute, this centennial documentary celebrates tradition, nature, and the lasting impact of Camp Daggett on Northern Michigan families.
Citizen: The Jilmar Ramos Gomez Story
Filmmaker in Attendance, Has Subtitles
“Citizen” explores the near deportation of Grand Rapids, Michigan-born U.S. citizen, Marine, and combat veteran Jilmar Ramos Gomez. This film scrutinizes the system that nearly expelled him, the collaboration between local law enforcement and I.C.E., and raises critical questions about who gets to define what it means to be American.
Color Out Here: Breaking Ice & Building Community
First Time Filmmaker, Michigan Premiere, World Premiere, Filmmaker in Attendance
Rooted in the core values of uplifting representation, place, and public learning, this segment follows Alice Lyn and community members on a powerful journey to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where they learn to ice climb at Michigan Ice Fest.
Color Out Here is a TV show highlighting BIPOC representation in the outdoors through Public Learning, Representation, and Place. Each episode explores outdoor activities, unique environmental narratives, and the intersection of identity with nature, inspiring inclusion and advocacy for equitable access to outdoor spaces.
Dinosaur Fish
Filmmaker in Attendance
The Lake Sturgeon has existed virtually unchanged for more than 130 million years. It survived a meteor impact and outlived the dinosaurs but we’ve found out it couldn’t survive in the face of human development. With only 1 percent remaining in the Great Lakes, conservationists in Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay are working to bring this iconic species back.
For Nokomis
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, World Premiere, Student Filmmaker
A short documentary about three generations of Ojibwe women from L’Anse, Michigan, sharing their stories about intergenerational trauma.
GHOSTBIKE
Filmmaker in Attendance, First Time Filmmaker, Subject in Attendance
Love and forgiveness are the telling messages in this real life story of a family whose lives changed in a split second due to distracted driving.
GOLD the Documentary
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Adult Language, Adult Themes, Nudity, Staff Pick
GOLD is a documentary exploring the lives of four current dancers and the owner of the Gold Nugget strip club in Spread Eagle, Wisconsin. The film focuses heavily on Dusty’s story, who was a dancer in the 90s. She has owned the club for 30 years, and runs the club in a way that empowers women, guiding them to further education, encourages them toward sobriety, and offers respect and support through unconditional (and sometimes tough) love.
Lake Leelanau, Spirit of the Lake
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Family Friendly
Blending stunning visuals, heartfelt stories, and expert perspectives, “Lake Leelanau, Spirit of the Lake” is a heartfelt tribute to a lake that continues to shape the identity and memories of its community.
Land of Lost Toys
Filmmaker in Attendance, Adult Language, Has Subtitles, Staff Pick
In the heart of Detroit, a city with a rich history and a tapestry of diverse communities, “Land of Lost Toys” follows the interconnected lives of its residents, brought together by a shared passion to combat the city’s vast stray dog epidemic. This mosaic of characters carry their own burdens and dreams, navigating the challenges of life in Detroit. With conflicted views on the breeding, spaying and neutering this group of characters discuss the saddening results of disposability culture, lack of municipal support and overall care for “humans’ best friend”. Following our lead character James, we get a unique look into the world of dog fostering and rescuing as he navigates his own internal hardships and the emotional support dogs bring to him.
Platte To Platte
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, World Premiere
Grant takes an unconventional road trip in a tiny 33 year old kei car from Japan, with a simple goal: to challenge the narrative that electric vehicles are the greener choice.
Restoring Northern Michigan's Rivers
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, World Premiere, Representative in Attendance
From Rugg Pond Dam on the Rapid River in Kalkaska County to the Crystal River in Leelanau County, this film follows the Conservation Resource Alliance’s River Care program and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians as they restore Northern Michigan’s rivers—reconnecting waters, renewing habitats, and honoring cultural ties.
Resurgo: The Rise from Within
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, Staff Pick
Detroit endured six decades of massive disinvestment, losing its primary industry in what is often described as the largest economic withdrawal in U.S. history. Its industry collapsed, its skyline dimmed. Yet the city’s spirit refused to vanish. Some call what followed the greatest comeback story in the nation. Others insist Detroit never left at all.
Now, through the eyes of a two-time Emmy Award–winning filmmaker and the voice of a celebrated poet, comes a story told from the ground up. Drawn from a twenty-year archive of over three million photographs and thousands of hours of unseen footage, this cinematic journey redefines an iconic city through the lives of the people who lived it.
Return of the Lake Sturgeon
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, World Premiere
Green Bay Lake Sturgeon during their spring spawning run are blocked from traveling up the Menominee River by the first set of dams. The 12-minute documentary explores the sturgeon lift operation, how the sturgeon make their way past the dams and spawn 22 miles upriver at the Grand Rapids Dam.
ScrapFest: An Artist's Journey
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance
“ScrapFest: An Artist’s Journey” chronicles the transformation of an artist as he turns scrap metal into stunning sculptures—celebrating resilience, community, and reclaimed beauty. Embracing sobriety, Andrew carved out his own second chance while also giving new life to scrap, crafting beautiful pieces that express his experiences and himself.
Taste of Home
Filmmaker in Attendance, Has Subtitles, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, First Time Filmmaker, Representative in Attendance
Taste of Home follows Mimi and Eak, a Thai couple who run a beloved restaurant in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Through a blend of vérité footage and intimate interviews, we observe a full day in their lives, from morning prep to closing time, they navigate the joys and challenges of running an authentic Thai kitchen in America.
The Developer
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Adult Language, Staff Pick
The Developer is about outdoor climbing areas and how they are discovered, established, and maintained. Follow Michigan climber Brendan Baars and his journey to put The Nooks — a newly developed crag in northern Ontario — on the climbing community’s map.
The Forest
Filmmaker in Attendance
The definition of a trophy hunt is different for all hunters. This adventure and the path is my trophy taken. The Forest features the opportunity to go afield in the wild places of Northern Michigan’s pristine public lands in search of whitetail deer and your own personal adventure.
The Grand Ride
Filmmaker in Attendance, Staff Pick
The Grand Ride follows Grand Rapids, Michigan rider Patrick Ellis as he carves his way through West Michigan’s best mountain bike trails. From the punchy climbs of Richmond Park to the fast flow of The Underground and the lush loops of The Bike Park this film is a love letter to the region’s growing trail network and tight-knit riding community.
The Healing Soil: Detroit's Urban Farming
Has Subtitles, Michigan Premiere, World Premiere, Family Friendly
Rufino Vargas moved to the U.S. from Mexico in 1988. Vargas, who has diabetes, now owns and operates Ortega Urban Farms on Detroit’s westside. He says farming has helped him manage his blood sugar while providing healthy food for his family — and other Detroiters.
The Inner Sea
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, First Time Filmmaker
The Inner Sea is an unconventional love story–a story about music, adoption, the journey of a lifetime, and a bright blue 40 foot school bus. This film explores the complex issues of identity that result from the decision to place a child for adoption. It is also a film that explores the role that art plays in suffering, and healing.
The Invisible Mammal
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Family Friendly, Staff Pick
Against the backdrop of the sixth mass extinction, an all-woman team of biologists set out to save bats from a deadly fungal disease, but when the COVID-19 pandemic interrupts their work, they are sent down a path of discovery that illuminates the connections between bat conservation and the spread of infectious disease.
The Last to Leave | saving the ash tree from extinction
Filmmaker in Attendance, Michigan Premiere, World Premiere
The film tells the story of how researchers discover ‘lingering ash’ trees, and use them to genetically breed emerald ash borer resistant trees. They hope to someday plant resistant trees back in forests across the country. A production from Points North Podcast & The Boardman Review in partnership with Great Lakes Now / Detroit PBS.
The Seven Grandfathers Teachings
Family Friendly, Michigan Premiere, Representative in Attendance
The Seven Grandfathers Teachings sculpture, created by renowned Anishinaabeg artist Jason Quigno, is an installation in the public art collection of the City of Marquette that honors the foundational principles of Anishinaabe culture.
This is FLINT | Almar Orchards
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly
Almar Orchards near Flint, Michigan is a five generation farm and Michigan’s first organic apple orchard. Family bonds and unique climate characteristics help the Koan family provide food for their community and hard cider to the world.
This is FLINT | Mama Sol
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly
Mama Sol is a spoken word artist, rapper and community activist in Flint, Michigan. This is more than a hustle, it’s her passion, and she’s proud to rep the 8-1-0.
This is FLINT | Mural Artist Kevin Burdick
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly
Kevin Burdick is a nationally recognized mural artist from Flint, Michigan. Join KevScraps14 on a tour of downtown art and the backstory on how a low point in Flint’s history led to it becoming a street art hotspot.
Voices of The Grand River
Filmmaker in Attendance, Subject in Attendance, Family Friendly, First Time Filmmaker, Student Filmmaker
Ron Yob, chairman of the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, seeks to gain federal recognition for his tribe from the federal government. Through Yob’s fight, he walks viewers through the historical evidence of the tribe’s presence in Grand Rapids to understand why the tribes deserve their federal rights.
Yours, Marquette: A Project Knot Work Film
Filmmaker in Attendance, Family Friendly, First Time Filmmaker, Student Filmmaker
A perspective of life in Marquette, MI through the lens of Project Knot Work, a community of 12 self-directed homeschooled kids.