Devo to Highlight the 63rd Ann Arbor Film Festival
January 30,2025
Fans of experimental music and film, mark your calendars! The legendary band Devo, known for their trailblazing fusion of rock, punk, and electronic music, will be a highlight at the 63rd Ann Arbor Film Festival (AAFF), running March 25–30, 2025.
This year’s festival promises six days of cinematic excitement, with over 200 films, competition and special programs, juror presentations, salons, panel discussions, after-parties, and more at the historic Michigan Theater and other downtown locations.You do not want to miss this six-day celebration of experimental film and cutting edge moving image art!
Devo will take the spotlight in two highly anticipated programs:
50 Years of De-Evolution: The Restored Films of Devo (1974–1984) Wednesday, March 26, 7:30 PM
This program features the band’s restored video artworks, offering a vivid glimpse into their creative genius. Founders Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh will join restorationist Peter Conheim for a post-screening discussion and Q&A session.
Special Feature Documentary: Devo by Chris Smith (2024)Saturday, March 29, 5:30 PM Dive deeper into Devo’s legacy with this revealing documentary by acclaimed filmmaker Chris Smith.
Both events will take place in the Michigan Theater’s main auditorium.
Executive Director Leslie Raymond captures the synergy between Devo and AAFF: “Devo is a perfect fit for the Ann Arbor Film Festival. The festival offers artists from around the world an opportunity to express their view of the human condition. Devo has been doing the same thing for more than 50 years.”
Devo’s history with AAFF runs deep. Their film In the Beginning Was the End debuted at the 15th festival in 1977, a milestone that helped launch their career and secure a record-label deal. By the early 1980s, Devo had cemented their place in pop culture with hits like Whip It, which reached Billboard’s Top 100.
What Else to Expect at the Festival
The 63rd Ann Arbor Film Festival kicks off on Tuesday, March 25, with an Opening Night Party at 6:30 PM, followed by Films in Competition 1 at 8:15 PM. Over the week, attendees can explore 14 shorts programs, 8 feature-length films in competition, 3 juror presentations, and 9 special programs, as well as several talks and artist presentations
The in person festival concludes on Sunday, March 30, with two Awards Programs featuring selections chosen by a distinguished panel of jurors which will also be offered online March 30-April 13
This year, more than 2,600 films from over 90 countries were submitted for consideration, with 114 selected for competition. The official selections will be announced on March 1, when tickets go on sale at aafilmfest.org.
About the Ann Arbor Film Festival
Founded in 1963 by George Manupelli, the AAFF is the oldest avant-garde and experimental film festival in North America. It has launched the careers of countless influential filmmakers, including Andy Warhol, Agnes Varda, and Gus Van Sant. Each year, the festival awards over $25,000 to filmmakers.
Festival passes are now on sale—don’t miss your chance to be part of this storied celebration of independent film and artistic expression!
