Cast members from U-M’s production of the opera, “The Marriage of Figaro.” (Photo by Peter Smith Photography)

56th annual Ann Arbor Film Festival. Though it’s still considered a best-kept-secret by some locals, the Ann Arbor Film Festival is the oldest experimental and avant-garde film festival in North America, running six days each March (through March 25 this year), and primarily housed at the Michigan Theater. AAFF shows over 200 films from nearly 70 countries, offering approximately $20,000 in awards each year.

You can check out wrap-up award screenings on Sunday, or you can dive in anytime. Thursday night features “Out Night”; Friday night offers up the always-popular (but not necessarily kid-friendly) animation program; the all-ages program happens Saturday; and also on Saturday this year, at 1 p.m., a new documentary titled “The Big House” will have its premiere. The film eschews gridiron glory to look closely at the labor – from cooks to snipers – that goes into hosting 100,000 people. READ THE REST HERE