The curtains are closing on the Traverse City Film Festival, with its founder, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Michael Moore, announcing its end Tuesday afternoon. Since 2005, the film festival has brought some of the industry's finest to Traverse City. The decision to end the festival comes after it broke even for the first time in many years, Moore said, and it is no longer in debt following last summer's success. "We’ve decided, after much heartfelt discussion, that it’s best to close this era of the film fest now while we’re ahead, no longer in debt, and go out on top with many years of fond memories that we will all collectively cherish for the rest of our lives," Moore said in his announcement. Moore and fellow native Michiganders — including Emmy Award-winning
Actor Jeff Daniels, Emmy and Oscar Award-winning
Actress Christine Lahti — served on the organization’s original board of directors. Other board members have included Oscar-winning director Terry George, Emmy-winning director Larry Charles, Grammy Award-winning musician Tom Morello and acclaimed filmmaker Mark Cousins. More: Founders Brewing Co. faces another racial discrimination lawsuit as Detroit taproom closes More: Michigan House passes bill to permanently allow to-go cocktails The move toward a "graceful end" was a unanimous decision among the festival's leaders, he said, and it marks the beginning of a new undertaking: Revitalizing the Bijou by the Bay and historic State movie theaters. The focus is now to bring back audiences to the theater, creating a "year-round TCFF." "We reaffirm to you our belief, as always, that one great movie can change your life, and that powerful films can help change the world," Moore said. "We are well aware that we all live now in a different time, where much of what we hold dear — democracy, choice, facts, books, art, critical thinking, a fair shake and a decent living — hangs in the balance." As for Moore himself, he is continuing to work on his next movie and advocacy work for restoring Roe v Wade. "My sincerest, deepest thanks to all who’ve been on this journey with me — and I with you," Moore writes, concluding the announcement. "We’re not leaving. We’re not done. We’re just excited about what lies ahead." mmarini@freepress.com