Guest Writer: Alex Rusek
Lansing is gearing up for its biggest celebration of cinema and arts yet.
From April 8 to April 18, the 16th Annual Capital City Film Festival will once again take over Michigan’s Capital City. If you love independent films, live music, and interactive media, then the Festival is for you.
Far more than just a standard series of movie screenings, the Festival is a vibrant, community-driven event. “We’re proud to bring artists and audiences together once again through bold, immersive storytelling,” said Festival Event Director Emma Selby. She continued: “Every year, the Capital City Film Festival transforms Lansing into a vibrant creative hub, and we can’t wait to welcome the community back this April.”
Since its inception, the Festival has grown exponentially, evolving from a modest local gathering into a premier destination for creatives across the Midwest. Local businesses and restaurants throughout Downtown Lansing will be open for attendees to meet and discuss their favorite screenings over a cup of coffee, a handcrafted cocktail, or an exquisite meal. Festival patrons can find more information about Downtown Lansing’s diverse amenities at downtownlansing.org.
This year’s Festival will feature independent shorts and feature-length films, narratives, documentaries, live music, interactive media, and more. Beyond the screen, Festival attendees can look forward to dynamic Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, offering an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the creative process. This year’s Festival also seeks to further integrate music and cinema in new and exciting ways. Held at Central United Methodist Church, the Symphonic Cinema event will bring together cinema and live music for a unique visual and auditory experience for patrons of this year’s Festival.
Film screenings will be held at the Central United Methodist Church and the Riverwalk Theatre, with some special events being held at The Robin Theater. This year’s special events include the Red Carpet Premiere Party at the Central United Methodist Church on April 9, 2026, the Symphonic Cinema at the Central United Methodist Church on April 12, 2026, and more. A full list of film times and locations will be released on capitalcityfilmfest.com.
General admission passes for the Festival are $50.00 and include admission to film screenings, concerts, parties, and special events. Early birds can purchase their general admission pass for the discounted rate of $35.00 through the end of February. For the true movie buffs, the Festival is offering a Patron Pass for $100.00, which includes the benefits of a general admission pass, plus free unlimited popcorn and a donation to the Festival to ensure that future generations will be able to experience this unique event in our community.
The lifeblood of this incredible event is undoubtedly its community of dedicated volunteers. Those looking to get a firsthand look at how a major arts festival operates are highly encouraged to sign up. To learn more about the Festival, sponsorship and volunteer opportunities, and to purchase tickets for this year’s Festival, please visit capitalcityfilmfest.com.
