"Off the Screen" at the 63rd AAFF
The 63rd Ann Arbor Film Festival (AAFF) invites you to explore Off the Screen (OTS), a series of multimedia installations and performances showcasing a variety of possibilities in moving image art. Taking place from March 25-30, 2025, across multiple venues in Ann Arbor, this program includes expanded cinema performances and installations, as well as a series of salons.
Opening Performance at the U-M North Quad
(OTS) launches the festival with an opening reception on Tuesday, March 25th at 4pm at the University of Michigan’s North Quad Space 2435. Electronic musician Joo Won Park will perform a live score to the iconic 1965 Japanese sci-fi film Attack from Space (directed by Koreyoshi Akasaka & Teruo Ishii). This performance will pair Park’s electronic music with a dynamic, choreographed fight scene from the film, offering a fresh perspective on this cult classic.
New Voices: Student Film Showcase
Also at NQ-2435 is New Voices, a program of recent experimental films by students from partnering colleges and universities. The program includes multiple short works from each school, and visitors can interact with the films through a push-button interface in the screening rooms. On Friday, March 28th at 10:30 am, student filmmakers will gather for the New Voices Film Jam, where they will share and discuss their work.
Installations to Explore
Be sure to check out several installations on view during festival week, all free and open to the public.
Showing at U-M North Quad Space-2435 (105 South State Street)
paSSive poWer 4D 360 VRÂ by JB Ghuman Jr., an immersive VR experience exploring human existence.
If I Could Take Me from That Room, I Would Never Give Me Back by Kym McDaniel, a mixed-media installation using video and salvaged materials.
Impermanence | 13Â by Rory Scott, an augmented reality piece reflecting on personal and technological change.
Installations at the Ann Arbor Art Center (117 West Liberty Street)
Opening Reception: 6-8pm Friday March 21, 2025
Escape and Puddle Portal by Yazmin Dababneh, mixed-media sculptures that explore perceptions of reality.
HOW’S IT HANGING: 100 Hours with LP by Paul Echeverria, reflecting on moments shared with experimental filmmaker Luther Price.
Holding and I’m Hungry by Maddie Shubeck, video works that address themes of analog sentiment and media consumption.
An exhibition walk-through with the artists, moderated by Scott Northrup, will take place on Thursday, March 27th at 3:00 pm.
Performances at the Michigan Theater
In addition to the installations, three performances will be presented at the Michigan Theater as part of short films in competition ticketed programs.
Neurogenesis by Allison Leigh Holt, Kit Young, and Amma Ateria on Friday, March 28th at 7:30 pm (with FIC 7), which combines AI-generated visuals and sound to explore bodily trauma and colonial violence.
Scattered Light by Nicolas Cadena and Joshua Mastel on Saturday, March 29th at 3:00 pm (with FIC 10), using 16mm film to trace the process of image generation.
To the Stars by Quinn Hunter and U-M Interarts students on Saturday, March 29th at 7:30 pm (with FIC 12), a performative reading of a journal entry from Octavia Butler’s To the Stars (Parable of the Now).
Salons and Workshops
The festival will also offer a variety of free discussions and workshops, including the following events, happening at NQ2435:
AAFF Programmers Roundtable on Wednesday, March 26th, where AAFF curators will discuss the process of selecting films.
The Joy of LOOPing on Saturday, March 29th, a hands-on workshop for creating hand-painted 16mm film loops.
What the Hell Was That? panel on Sunday, March 30th, where visiting filmmakers will discuss experimental films from this year’s lineup.
This year’s Off the Screen program offers a chance to experience an interesting mix of art, film, and performance in an engaging and accessible way. Whether you're a long-time film enthusiast or new to experimental cinema, there's something to discover at this year’s festival.
