Endangered ~ Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs about the Campaign to preserve the Ann Arbor Film Festival

What is the Endangered campaign all about?
What Are Acts of Audacity?
How Does the Voting work?
Can I Donate More Than Once?
Can I Donate Without Using Paypal?
What Are Your Fundraising Goals?
Where Will My Contribution Go?
Why Is the AAFF Endangered?
What Films Were Cited?
Why Is the AAFF Important?

Q: What Is the Endangered Campaign All About?
A: This campaign is a creative and critical response to outsider factors threatening the future of the Ann Arbor Film Festival. We are asking for widespread support from our community and the public to help ensure a vital future for one of the world’s largest and longest-running showcases of films that challenge, inspire and break new ground.

Q: What Are Acts of Audacity?
A: Upon reaching our monthly fundraising goal, the AAFF staff or volunteers will perform whichever Act of Audacity receives the most votes from our supporters. These creative, daring, and possibly embarrassing acts will serve as a testament to the extreme dedication of AAFF staff and volunteers to the success of this campaign and to the AAFF. Each Act of Audacity will be captured on video, edited and posted online for the world to see. You can see our current month’s ‘Acts of Audacity’ to be performed by the AAFF festival volunteers on the Endangered main page.

Q: How Does the Voting Work?
A: When you donate $25 or more to the Endangered campaign, you get vote for which Act of Audacity you would like to see our staff or volunteers will perform for our next public video. Each month there will be 3 new options to choose from performed by dedicated people from the AAFF.

Q: Can I Donate More Than Once?
A: Yes, please do. Each time you donate you get another vote for our next Act of Audacity.

Q: Can I Donate Without Using Paypal?
A: Yes, we have a donation-by-mail pdf that allows you to pay by check, money order, or credit card through the mail. Look under Donate by Snail Mail on the main page or click here to download it.

Q: What Are the Fundraising Goals?
A:  The goal for the Endangered campaign is $75,000 in 3 months. This amount will help the AAFF recover from its recent state funding cuts and current lawsuit to defend the freedom of speech, and ensure stability for the future. The goal for our first month (Sept 18 – Oct 17) is $10,000. The goal for our second month (Oct 18 – Nov 30) is $25,000. And the goal for our third month (Dec 1 – Jan 16) is $40,000. We need widespread community support, so please contribute what you can and spread the word. Updates on our success will be sent via email and posted online throughout the campaign.

Q: Where Will My Contribution Go?
A:  With the AAFF, your contribution will stretch far, and not just in helping to keep the lights on. Your donation will give direct support to filmmakers by ensuring that they have a venue to showcase their work (both with the annual festival in March, as well as our national tour). Your contribution will also ensure quality programming and a memorable experience for our audiences, and ensure that artists are paid for their contributions to our community film festival. Finally, your support will increase our capacity for sustainable growth, as we strategically head steadfast to the AAFF’s 50th anniversary.

Q: Why Is the AAFF endangered?
A:  There are several main factors:

• “HABITAT” - The Michigan economy is experiencing one of the worst down-turns in the country.  Therefore, recovering funds is much more difficult in our local region.

• “POACHING” – In 2006, the AAFF was targeted by a special interest group and state legislators in Michigan who oppose public funding of the arts. Legislators unjustly claimed that our programming was pornographic and offensive (citing films they did not even watch), and had our state funding rescinded through unconstitutional means. When they asked us to alter our programming in order to receive their support, the AAFF refused to apply for future funding in order to protect our artistic integrity. This created an immediate gap in our annual budget. Link to article about this?  Here are two articles about this issue:  Link 1 and Link 2

• “ENTANGLEMENT” – In March 2007 we challenged dubious state laws that harm the First Amendment rights of artists with a Federal lawsuit spearheaded by the ACLU. While we strongly believe in supporting artists’ freedom of expression, this lawsuit has also required excessive time and energy on behalf of staff. See our Censorship Controversy page for more. The Ann Arbor Film Festival agreed to be the plaintiff in this lawsuit to ensure that these unconstitutional state laws would not be used against other arts organizations in the future.

Q: What Films Were Cited?
A: To see a list of the films, click here. More information on why the films were cited, and who they were cited by can be found on the Censorship Controversy page. While there be sure to watch Boobie Girl (dir. Brooke Keesling), one of the films named as 'offensive'.

Q: Why Is the Ann Arbor Film Festival Important?
A:  Film is a major art form that influences and educates people around the world. The commercial film industry, and many film festivals, promote the buying and selling of film as a product. The Ann Arbor Film Festival is not opposed to commercial industry, but we stand for something else. We are a hot house, a nexus, and a solar system for film that is made for the purpose of art; film that challenges conventions, explores new ground, and inspires change. We believe that a healthy cultural ecosytem needs a strong and healthy Ann Arbor Film Festival to nurture, promote and showcase the art of film.