Ann Arbor, Mich. – It may come as a surprise to learn that Donald Harrison, executive director of the Ann Arbor Film Festival, didn’t studied film as an undergrad.
Then again, it may be hard to believe that Harrison wouldn’t be in the position he’s in today if it weren’t for bowling.
Growing up in Detroit, Donald's father raised him to be professional bowler.
“It’s one of the things that connect us,” he says. “It’s still a big part of our relationship.”
After graduating college, Harrison moved to San Francisco. When his father, a bowling journalist, invited Donald to accompany him to the USBC National Bowling Convention, the idea came to him instantly.
“I should make a film about this,” he recalls with excitement. “I have perspective and insight into this world.”
But he realized he was in over his head.
“Like a lot of people who get a camera and start shooting, pretty quickly I realized I didn’t know what I was doing,” he explains. “I had no story, no skills. It was boring—at least what I was shooting was boring.”
He abandoned his plans for the bowling documentary. But his initial attempt led him to enroll in a film course at a media arts center and pursue other projects.
Like the way many of us describe our passion, it just felt right for Harrison. But it was more than that.
“I was completely hooked,” he says. “It stimulated me as an artist, as someone who wants to interact with communities.”
As an undergraduate at the University of Michigan, Harrison’s interest in group behavior led him to study social psychology. An interest that is a big part of the way he approaches his work in the film world.
Considering other visual art mediums such as painting or photography, he feels that film is intrinsically a shared experience with members of an audience.
“My goal [as a filmmaker and director of the Festival] is to provide a forum and vehicle for people to get together and exchange, interact and meet each other.”
Upon returning to Michigan, Harrison began volunteering with the Festival three years ago. He felt that community involvement wasn’t near the level where it could be.
So when he was hired as Executive Director just over a year and half ago, he decided to make an effort to get more folks involved.
Part of that includes events like a recent screening salon for the upcoming 48th Festival.
A public audience at the Ann Arbor District Library was given the opportunity to weigh in on films submitted for the Festival, rating them and voting to determine whether they will move on through the screening process.
After each film, Harrison facilitates a discussion.
“There are people from all walks of life that come and you get to hear what they have to say. That can give some insight beyond your own opinion,” says Aaron Bobsian, who took part in the screening. “I think that’s pretty enlightening.”
Harrison is receptive to differing views of the audience. He manages to honor them all together.
Stephen Wallace, a local musician interested in soundtracks, sums up Harrison’s presence at the salon in one word: “smooth.”
Talking to Harrison, it’s apparent that embracing the many things in this world that inspire him exceeds being open-minded.
“I have many interests,” Harrison explains. “It’s tough to pick one project and stick with it for years. Film is typically such a long process.”
That’s why the Film Festival is a great fit for him. There are many different aspects of his work: the art side, the community side, running a non-profit organization.
“There is definitely no way that I’m going to get bored,” he says.
And in case you’re wondering, Donald still bowls a whopping 220 average.
If you like what you've read, check out these clips.
If you like what you've read, check out these clips.
An excerpt from "What is Lost Between," an autobiographical documentary by a Chilean filmmaker submitted to the 48th Annual Ann Arbor Film Festival. The crawly, paratactic narration, here in the film's opening, sets the tone for the post-war family narrative and imagery to follow:
Donald told me that he didn't grow up in a household with avant-garde cinema. He places the origins of his fascination with the visual language of film growing up watching television. I asked him if there was a particular program he enjoyed the most:
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