Vehicle City Film Festival Set to Celebrate Michigan Filmmakers and Flint's Film Community

The Vehicle City Film Festival arrives in Flint from September 28 through October 3. Ray Gray for Flintside

FLINT, Michigan — Filmmakers, storytellers, and film lovers will gather in Flint for the Vehicle City Film Festival, running September 28 through October 3, 2026, with core programming on October 1–3. The event marks a new chapter for what was formerly the Flint Youth Film Festival, now expanding to welcome filmmakers of all ages and experience levels while continuing to nurture emerging storytellers.

“This is an exciting new chapter for the festival,” said Rodney Brown of iMichigan Productions, organizer of the Vehicle City Film Festival. “We’re creating a space where filmmakers can share their work, audiences can discover new stories, and our entire film community can come together, make connections, and celebrate what’s being created right here in Flint and throughout Michigan.”

The festival kicked off Monday, September 28, with a screening of “St. John Street: Story of a Neighborhood” at UM-Flint’s Kiva Auditorium, followed by a talkback with director Justin R. Brown and UM-Flint history professor Dr. Thomas Henthorn.

Tuesday, September 29, brings a screening of “Without a Doubt” at Flint Local 432, with a talkback featuring executive producer Cory James Taylor and director Mike Tremblay.

The main festival weekend, October 1–3, includes continuous screenings at Mott Community College’s RTC Conference Room, a Film Appreciation Academy honoring 2x Emmy winner and Hamady High School teacher Jamal Bransford with the Reel Impact Award, a Media Arts & Entertainment Technology Showcase honoring Dr. David Rembiesa with the FilmEd Impact Award, and an Opening Ceremony featuring a filmmaker screening, talkback, and performance by jazz vocalist Sunny Wilkinson, along with a Legacy Award presentation to producer Cory James Taylor.

The festival wraps Saturday, October 3, with a filmmakers’ mixer and closing event at Dort Mall.

The Flint Film Foundation is supporting and participating in this year’s festival as part of its broader mission to expand access to storytelling, education, workforce development, advocacy, and community engagement.

“There is so much creative talent here,” said Melissa Miller, executive director of Flint Film Foundation. “A festival like this gives us a chance to celebrate the work being created while bringing people together. That’s where relationships start, opportunities happen, and a stronger film community gets built.”