By Tonya C. 
Since 2017, I’ve attended the annual event hosted by the Detroit Free Press—either as a spectator or as a crew member supporting someone else’s film.
Whether I was working as a drone operator, DIT, AC, or camera op, it always felt like a celebration of Michigan-made stories and the people behind them.
This year was supposed to be different. For the first time, I had co-directed and produced a docuseries that I hoped would finally put me on the local stage.
But in 2025, the Freep Film Festival was quietly… gone.
Detroit Documentary Filmmakers Left in the Dark
There was no formal announcement. No public statement from the Free Press. Just silence.
I heard whispers—rumors of layoffs, budget cuts, restructuring. But nothing official. It was disappointing on multiple levels. Not just for me, but for the entire Detroit film community who counted on Freep as a rare local platform.
Being a Filmmaker in Michigan Isn’t the Same as L.A.
When you’re a filmmaker in Michigan, you get used to doing a lot with a little. Opportunities are more spread out. The industry is smaller, the support systems thinner.
Events like the Freep Film Festival weren’t just screenings—they were meetups, homecomings, and launchpads. For many of us, Freep was where Detroit stories were honored on their own terms.
Without it, there’s a real gap.
I hope this isn’t permanent. I hope the festival finds a way back. Because Michigan still has something to say—and we deserve places to say it.
Why the Freep Film Festival Mattered
- It showcased Michigan documentary films that rarely get national attention
- It gave emerging filmmakers a local spotlight
- It created a sense of community among Detroit creatives and storytellers
- It was well-attended, well-curated, and a vibe every single year
What’s Next for the Michigan Film Community?
Even without Freep this year, I believe the momentum doesn’t have to stop. Detroit’s filmmaking scene is still alive. We’re still creating. Still collaborating. Still dreaming.
But we need spaces. Platforms. Screenings. Support.
✊🏾 Call to Action
If you’ve ever attended the Freep Film Festival, or if you care about creating more platforms for Midwest and Detroit-based filmmakers, share this post. Leave a comment. Start a conversation.
Festivals may come and go—but our stories shouldn’t fade with them.
Let’s keep building
Tonya Core