TRAVERSE CITY — Old Mission Culture Company announced the program lineup for the inaugural Fresh Coast Film Festival: Traverse City, which will run from April 30 to May 3, 2026. The event will feature more than 50 films across seven venues to celebrate the outdoor lifestyle and environment of the Great Lakes.
The volunteer-run festival is presented by the nonprofit Old Mission Culture Company, which was established in 2021. Nearly two dozen filmmakers from 11 states are expected to attend the four-day event. The program includes films curated from the original Marquette festival along with new selections invited specifically for the Traverse City edition.
The festival begins Thursday, April 30, at 7 p.m. with a free community screening titled “Stories of Hope.” This opening night program will be held at ELEV8 Climbing and Fitness and six art house theaters throughout northern Michigan. Screening locations include The Bay Community Theatre in Suttons Bay, The Vogue Theatre in Manistee, The Garden Theater in Frankfort, the Elk Rapids Cinema in Elk Rapids, the Charlevoix Cinema III in Charlevoix and The Lyric Theatre in Harbors Spring. Featured short films in this block include “Find Me Up North,” “JoJo - A Toad Musical” and “Dinosaur Fish.”
Two evening gala events are scheduled for Friday and Saturday at the City Opera House. The Friday gala, presented by Rare Bird Brewery, will feature the northern Michigan premiere of “Listers: A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching.” The documentary follows Owen and Quentin Reiser as they compete to see the most bird species possible in one year. The Reiser brothers and scientist Hannah Toutonghi will attend the screening. Before the film, the National Writers Series will host a book signing for the Reisers’ field guide.
Daily screenings are scheduled for 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. at venues including The Alluvion, Silver Spruce Brewing Company, Right Brain Brewery, The Filling Station Microbrewery Depot Building and the Traverse Area District Library. Featured-length films include “The Invisible Mammal,” “Turtle Walker,” “Snail Hunters” and “Michigan’s Skiing Legacy.” The program also highlights local talent through student film blocks featuring work from North Ed Career Tech and Northwestern Michigan College.
The event includes several special partnerships and panels. Interlochen Public Radio will co-host a 10-year celebration at Right Brain Brewery featuring festival co-founders Aaron Peterson, Bill Thompson and Bugsy Sailor. Other events include “A Two Hearted Tale,” which examines the history of the Bell’s Brewery beer label with artist Ladislav Hanka. Festival panels covering topics such as “Advocacy and Storytelling” and “Making in the Midwest” will take place at the Traverse City Whiskey Company.
While all-access weekend passes are sold out, day passes are available for $35. These passes include all general admission screenings, gala events and private after-parties for a single day. Individual gala tickets are priced at $20, while general admission screenings are $10. Joe Beyer, a volunteer festival organizer, said the 2026 program was designed to have something for everyone. “The vibes we hope you get are to instantly feel a little better about the world and a lot more connected to the people in your community,” Beyer said.
Details and registration for free outdoor tours, sponsored by Kayak Bike & Brew, will be released in March. The festival officially begins with the community screening at 7 p.m. on April 30.