Capital City Film Festival’s sweet sixteen honors women and the power of indie film

For sixteen years, the Capital City Film Festival has been a staple in the Lansing community. What began in 2011 as a local festival showcasing the talent of Michigan filmmakers has evolved into a much larger-scale event featuring work by filmmakers from across the world, giving Michiganders and out-of-state travelers the chance to view quality films that provide a glimpse into a variety of new perspectives.

From today (April 8) through the 18, venues around Lansing — including Riverwalk Theatre, The Robin Theatre and Central United Methodist Church — will open their doors for another year of film festival fun. This year, the church will have another auditorium open for more screening space.

There’s more than just movies on the agenda for CCFF, with events such as a concert by The Go Rounds and False Harbor, presented by The Ovation, and “Third Coast Waves,” “an evening celebrating the dynamic history and culture of hip-hop, Lansing’s own golden era, and local efforts to make waves in the industry.” For those looking for an excuse to dress up, there’s a red carpet premiere party and plenty of chances to grab a drink and chat with fellow festivalgoers.

Film allows audiences to experience cultures, lifestyles and languages that they may never encounter in real life. Independent filmmaking lends such a raw and unconventional touch when it comes to telling unique stories that festivals like CCFF are the ideal platform for sharing stories that might not be shown otherwise.

CCFF has been on the indie wavelength for sixteen years, with a commitment to screening a wide variety of films, aiming to offer something for everyone. This year’s lineup is as eclectic as ever,  from mockumentaries to family-friendly animation, all representing some of the most exciting indie selections around.

There’s no better example of the festival’s dedication to independent film than the commitment it has to filling its roster with movies made by women. It doesn’t just stop with female directors; stories centering around girls and women are plentiful. Whether deliberately choosing to feature women or whether it’s just a natural result of women’s prominence in independent film, the female focus goes back even to the festival’s infancy.

Looking at the archive of past lineups on the festival’s website, one can see that women filmmakers have been offered some of the best slots from the start, such as in 2012, when Lynne Ramsay’s psychological thriller about a disturbed child, “We Need to Talk About Kevin,” had the closing spot. Last year, director and producer Kenzie Bruce was given the same slot for her film “Firebreak,” a documentary about two formerly incarcerated men fighting wildfires in harsh conditions.

This focus on women is refreshing, and a reminder of the importance of diverse voices in filmmaking. An unfortunate reality in Hollywood is that female filmmakers are still underappreciated. For instance, in 2025, there was a decrease in the number of female directors  in the list of the top 100 highest-grossing films of the year, according to the University of Southern California Annenberg’s Inclusion Initiative report. Thanks to CCFF and other festivals like it, women have a space to thrive and tell their stories.

CCFF’s selections span the globe and take moviegoers to places they may only read about or hear about on the news, like Greece with “God Forgive Me,” a short film about a queer woman who loses her father, or Iran with “Little Soldier,” a short film about a mother’s sacrifice in a heartbreaking situation. There’s perhaps no better time to explore what international filmmakers have to say about their unique hardships, in their own unique ways, than the 10 days of CCFF.

While CCFF goes well beyond Michigan films and filmmakers, there’s still plenty from the Mitten State highlighted, and proudly so. “Our Knotted Gun” is a docuseries that explores gun violence, covering the Feb. 2023 shooting at MSU in the first 22-minute episode. Nancy Donnelly’s “The Deep Dive” features Michigan’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary during the 2025 MATE ROV World Championships.

Any of these selections are well worth the price of admission, with screening tickets priced individually starting at $5. All-access passes are $50 and give the most passionate movie lovers access to all screenings, concerts and other events. The $100 patron pass  includes a donation to the festival as well as unlimited popcorn. That could come in handy because with so many intriguing titles, you may find yourself going through buckets at a time.