MORE BETTER
Festival Experiences
Detroit, USA. Sept., 19 -22, 2024
The films are the heart of the festival (see the At-A-Glance schedule), but we take it beyond the screen. Better Cities Film Festival is an opportunity for the community of people who work on making our cities, towns, and neighborhoods better (community workers and activists, placemakers, planners, architects, developers, artists, entrepreneurs, government leaders) to come together to celebrate cities, experience their nooks and crannies, learn from each other, and have a lot of fun. These talks, tours, and social events are the festival experiences we call More Better.
THURSDAY
Opening Happy Hour
Where: Campus Martius
When: 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Kick the film festival with a favorite libation while meeting other attendees and filmmakers before its showtime at Campus Martius.
Group Bike Ride to After Party at “Eastern Market After Dark.”
Where: “ Eastern Market After Dark” event
When: 6:30 PM till late.
How: Bike, walk, or whatever is your choice of transportation right after the end of the movie screening about bikes.
Presented by: Detroit Month of Design
Now BCFF is part of Detroit Month of Design (DMD) our opening night after-party is at Eastern Market After Dark—DMD’s signature event. Learn more and RSVP for your free ticket when you click the button below.
FRIDAY
Noodles and New Urbanism
Where: Get a free ticket for this event at our ticketing page and location will be email to you.
When: 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Presented by: Josh Paget, the director of Better Cities Film Festival
BCFF was born out of a failed book group called “Noodles & New Urbanism.” We’re paying homage to this group with our Friday lunch and learn at a local noodles hot spot. Join festival founder, Josh Paget, to discuss the past and future of the festival.
Park(ing) Day Bicycle Tour
What? Park(ing) day is a global, public, participatory project where people across the world temporarily repurpose curbside parking spaces and convert them into public parks and social spaces to advocate for safer, greener, and more equitable streets for people.
We’re going to ride bikes (our own or get street rental bikes) and experience Detroit’s parking spot conversions into public spaces and parklets. Learn more about Park(ing) Day at this link.
Where: Get a free ticket for this event at our ticketing page and location will be emailed to you.
When: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Presented by: Josh Paget, the director of Better Cities Film Festival
Filmmaker Networking Happy Hour
Where: Grand Trunk Pub, 612 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
When: 3:30 - 5:00 PM
SATURDAY
Unofficial State of the City: Downtown Detroit Walking Tour with Mark Nickita
Where: Tour starts at Siren Hotel,1509 Broadway When: 10:00 - 12:00 PM
Presented by: CNU Michigan
It’s a Better Cities Film Festival tradition: Explore Detroit’s extraordinary comeback – and the challenges and opportunites that lie ahead – with one of Detroit’s most passionate urbanists.
After Party
Where: Detroit Beer Company, 1529 Broadway Street
When: 10:00 PM till late
Enjoy a post screening drink, conversation, at a local Detroit watering hole with fellow festival goers.
SUNDAY
Church Service: Guest Preacher BCCF’s Festival Director
Where: Christ Church Detroit, 960 E. Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI 48207
When: 10:30 AM
When was the last time you heard a sermon with themes about faith, urban design, and community thriving?
After Party
Where: Checker Bar, 124 Cadillac Square,Detroit, MI 48226
When: 9:00 PM till late
Enjoy a wrap-up drink and conversation with new friends at a local Detroit watering hole with fellow festival goers.