The Motor City will provide an ideal setting May 28-30, 2015, as three Detroit venues celebrate the iconic history of the automobile in a one-of-a-kind film festival, as World Class Motoring and Islay Events unveil the inaugural AutoMoto Detroit International Film & Arts Festival presented by Quicken Loans and Opportunity Detroit.
Taking place at The Fillmore Detroit, The Madison Theatre Building, Cinema Detroit, and other Midtown locations, the three-day festival will feature a packed schedule of full- and short-length films, as well as special appearances by automotive personalities, car designers and artists.
Held during the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, the festival will be highlighted by screenings of the Cuban street racing documentary “Havana Motor Club,” “1” the definitive story of Formula 1 and “Magnus Walker — Urban Outlaw,” the portrait of the rebel Porsche customizer.
Walker, who will be on hand to provide first-person insight about the film, will be joined by other dignitaries at the festival, including legendary Ford GT Designer Camilo Pardo.
The expanded program will also include motorcycle films, such as “Greasy Hands Preachers,” as well as “Why We Ride,” tapping into the passion of riders.
“Building on the momentum from AutoMoto’s Monterey, California events, we’re thrilled to bring our festival to The Motor City and to be involved in the promotion and revitalization of Detroit,” said World Class Motoring President Fred LoBianco.
Taking on the hosting duties in Detroit will be Dennis Pittsenbarger from Discovery Channel’s hit series “Highway to Sell.” Pittsenbarger will welcome guests, automotive industry dignitaries, and locals through a three-day festival that will include:
Thursday, May 28:
• Opening night VIP gala and screening and reception at the fabled Madison Theatre Building.
Friday, May 29 — The Fillmore Detroit:
• Screenings of “Magnus Walker — Urban Outlaw” and a special preview of the upcoming Camilo Pardo documentary “Fuel Injected” followed by an interview and panel discussion with both Magnus Walker and Camilo Pardo.
• “Havana Motor Club.” This break-out film tells a personal, character-driven story about Cuba’s vibrant community of underground drag racers and their quest to hold Cuba’s first official car race since the Revolution. It tackles how Cuba’s recent reforms — the owning of property, allowance of small businesses, and greater exchange between Cubans, Cuban Americans, tourists, and other foreigners — have affected the lives of these racers and their families.
• Interview and panel discussion with the filmmakers behind the Cuban documentary, “Havana Motor Club” followed by a meet and greet in the lobby of the Fillmore.
Saturday, May 30 — Cinema Detroit:
• “1” The definitive story of Formula 1 Motor Racing. This is the definitive story of Formula 1 Motor Racing: the world’s richest, most exciting and glamorous sport, drawing a global TV audience of 600 million viewers for each race and inspiring legions of loyal fans worldwide.
• “Going Attractions” Once a vibrant part of American culture, drive-ins reached their peak in the late 50s with almost 5,000 dotting the nation. Although drive-ins are experiencing resurgence, less than 400 remain. In a nation that loves cars and movies, his documentary asks: Why haven’t they survived?
• Plus many more feature and short films.