Miller Canfield Participates in Traverse City Film Fest Educational Partnership with University of Michigan
The law firm of Miller Canfield is helping to prepare students and promote Michigan for economic opportunities in the film industry. The firm sponsored two University of Michigan student films, “Camp Chapel” and “Margaret and Izzey,” at the sixth annual Traverse City Film Festival, held in northern Michigan July 27-August 1, 2010.
In addition, a sponsorship-grant from Miller Canfield made it possible for U-M faculty and film experts to provide extensive assistance in the judging of the more than 100 films, and to spearhead a panel discussion examining how to critically understand film and assess latest trends in filmmaking.
“Filmmaking is playing a lead role in the state’s diversified economy and the industry is important to students, businesses and communities here,” said Lisa Pick, an attorney with Miller Canfield who leads the firm’s film and entertainment business initiatives. She is a graduate of U-M's film studies program.
The festival, founded by Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore, has gained a reputation for attracting the best independent world cinema.
“Since its inception, the Traverse City Film Festival has been a force in showing the international film industry the possibilities for filmmaking in the state of Michigan,” said Lee Doyle, director of U-M's film office, which aims to attract filmmakers to campus. “With the university’s formal participation, we can set our sights on providing a 'gateway experience' to our students, and foster the further development of the state's fledgling film industry.”
Miller Canfield’s Entertainment, Sports and Multimedia Group offers a broad array of integrated services for entertainment, film, sports and media professionals including financing, corporate and securities, intellectual property, tax, economic development incentives, litigation, labor, and real estate.
Pictured (L-R) at the Miller Canfield and Michigan Movie Magazine Afternoon Intermission Reception are: Lisa Pick, head of Miller Canfield's film and entertainment business initiative; Oscar-winning filmmaker Michael Moore; Jim Burnstein, screenwriting coordinator, Screen Arts & Cultures, University of Michigan; and Robert Rayher, production senior lecturer, Screen Arts & Cultures, University of Michigan.
