Issuu

OCTOBER 1-3, 2026

WELCOME JUSTIN R. BROWN

Ten-Time Emmy®Award Winner Director, VCFF

On behalf of the Board of Directors, Host Committee and Executive Planning Committee of iMichigan Productions, it is our pleasure to welcome you to the Vehicle City Film Festival (VCFF)—a celebration of film, creativity and community. After a decade of celebrating young filmmakers through the Flint Youth Film Festival, we are proud to begin an exciting new chapter. The Vehicle City Film Festival expands that vision by bringing together youth, emerging and professional filmmakers, while continuing our commitment to developing and supporting the next generation of storytellers. This year, we are proud to showcase 84 selected films and welcome filmmakers, entertainment industry professionals, educators and film enthusiasts to Flint. Throughout the festival, we invite you to discover new voices, experience compelling stories and celebrate the creativity that continues to emerge from our community and beyond. We extend our sincere appreciation to our sponsors, MOTT Community College, Flint Film Foundation, The Whiting Foundation, Share Art Genesee, A.G. Bishop Charitable Trust, Flint Michigan Films, and MOTT Student Life; partners, filmmakers, judges, volunteers and supporters whose generosity and commitment make the Vehicle City Film Festival possible. Thank you for joining us as we celebrate this next chapter. Thank you and enjoy!

Justin R. Brown Justin R. Brown Award Winning Writer, Director, Director, VCFF

GREETINGS ALEXANDRIA DOUGLAS Award-Winning Filmmaker Assistant Director, VCFF We are excited to bring together filmmakers, industry professionals, educators and film lovers for three days of screenings, conversations, education and celebration. At the heart of Vehicle City Film Festival are our filmmakers. From emerging voices to experienced storytellers, they challenge us to see the world through a different lens, take creative risks and use the power of film to share stories that deserve to be seen and heard. We extend a special thank you to our incredible judges for sharing their time, experience and professional expertise. Your thoughtful review of the films and commitment to recognizing outstanding work are an important part of the festival experience. More importantly, your participation provides encouragement and validation to filmmakers as they continue developing their craft. Over the next three days, we encourage you to watch the films, meet the filmmakers, join the conversations and celebrate the creativity on display. Thank you for being part of this next chapter.

Regards

Alexandria Douglas

Alexandria Douglas Assistant Director, VCFF

STILL FLINT. STILL FILM. STILL US.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2026

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2026

ST. JOHN STREET: STORY OF A NEIGHBORHOOD

University of Michigan-Flint | Kiva Auditorium | 400 Mill St., Flint, MI Talkback follows screening • Justin R. Brown, Director, "St. John Street: Story of a Neighborhood"; Dr. Thomas Henthorn, UM-Flint Wyatt Professor, US History and Professor of History; Moderator: Michael J. Thorp, Radio Host

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM WITHOUT A DOUBT

Flint Local 432 | 124 W. 1st Street, Flint, MI Talkback follows screening • Cory James Taylor, Executive Producer, Director of Photography; Mike Tremblay, Director, “Without A Doubt” Moderator: Melissa Miller, President, Flint Film Foundation (INVITATION ONLY)

THURSDAY OCTOBER 1, 2026

FRIDAY OCTOBER 2, 2026

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3, 2026

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

FILM APPRECIATION ACADEMY

VCFF SCREENINGS

OPENING CEREMONY

RTC Auditorium | 1401 E. Court Street, Flint, MI Reel Impact Award Honoree: Jamal Bransford 2x Emmy® Winner, Teacher, Hamady High School, Hollywood Industry Panel • Lunch Provided

Mott Community College | RTC 1301 Conference Room Continuous screenings • Light Refreshments

RTC Auditorium | Filmmaker Screening | Talkback SunnyWilkinson, Jazz Vocalist Legacy Award Honoree: Cory James Taylor, Producer, Director of Photography • Refreshments

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

6:00 PM – 9:00 PM

MEDIA ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE

VCFF SCREENINGS

VCFF SCREENINGS AND TALKBACK

RTC Auditorium FilmEd Impact Award Honoree: Dr. David Rembiesa Lunch Provided

Mott Community College RTC 1301 Conference Room Continuous screenings Light Refreshments

Mott Community College Regional Technology Center (RTC) | Auditorium 1401 E. Court Street, Flint, Mi Light Refreshments

10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

5:00 PM – 9:00 PM

VCFF SCREENINGS

FILMMAKERS SCREENINGS

MIXER + CLOSING EVENT

Mott Community College | RTC 1301 Conference Room Continuous screenings • Light Refreshments

Flint Film Foundation | Dort Mall 3600 S. Dort Hwy., Flint, MI • Refreshments

5–6 PM Filmmakers Mixer 6–9 PM Closing Event + Special Award Flint Film Foundation | Dort Mall • Refreshments

https://www.vehiclecityfilmfestival.com/

SPECIAL GUEST

SHAUNDA RICHARDSON-SNELL President Mott Community College

The Vehicle City Film Festival represents more than a celebration of film—it is an investment in creativity, education, and the future of our community. By welcoming filmmakers from across the United States and Canada, VCFF showcases Flint as a destination for arts, culture, and innovation while creating meaningful opportunities for students, emerging filmmakers, and established industry professionals to connect, learn, and inspire one another. At Mott Community College, we believe education extends beyond the classroom. Supporting VCFF aligns with our commitment to fostering creativity, lifelong learning, and workforce development while strengthening Flint's growing creative economy. I encourage our community, businesses, organizations, and residents to join us in supporting the Vehicle City Film Festival. Together, we can help elevate Flint's national profile, celebrate diverse voices and inspire the next generation of storytellers.

EMCEE

COLETTE

BOYD

Noon & 4 P.M. News Anchor CBS WNEM TV5

Colette invites you to join her weekdays on TV-5 News at Noon and their News at 4 P.M. She’s excited to give you an afternoon jolt and inspire you! Colette has worn many ‘hats’ at TV-5 as a reporter, morning, noon & evening anchor since starting at TV-5 in 2013. Colette says her favorite ‘hat’ is highlighting local talent, & movers & shakers in Mid-MI & infusing inspiration & the little extras to make viewers smile and know web are all in this together. Colette says, “For me it's a perfect mix. I get to do what I love at Noon & 4 P.M. informing viewers & letting them know how to keep their families safe & healthy- then as a hands on mom, enjoy precious time with my little sweethearts, Coliette & Jaeken, after-school, in the evenings, and on weekends.” To say Colette is a diehard Wolverine is an understatement. She earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. The native Detroiter even frequently shouts a random “Go Blue!”. Colette began her broadcast career as an auto show spokesmodel, reporter in Florida, anchor/reporter in Lansing then made the trek to MidMichigan. Colette loves living in the Great Lakes Bay region and feels right at home. She even calls viewers her extended family and always lets you know you are her sweet friend. When you see Colette out and about she would love for you to say hello. If you have a story idea, or just want to chit-chat, connect with Colette on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Forever in our Hearts Donna Ullrich was born on October 1, 1955, in Saginaw, Michigan, the daughter of the late Donald and Lidia (Sturtz) Ullrich. She graduated from Dwight D. Eisenhower High School in Saginaw. She the went to Central Michigan University with B.S. in Journalism and Speech and was a reported for CM Life, on the Student Senet, CMU Programming Board. She was a crew member in theatre productions then went to University of Central Missouri and graduated in 1978 with an M.A. in Mass Communications. Lastly, she went to University of Detroit Mercy School of Law J.D. Law area of special interest in First Amendment/Media. She was involved as Director Alumni Relations and LEO Lecturer/instructor/grantsmanship at the University of Michigan Flint, Faculty Research Specialist/Grant Writer at Wayne State University, Faculty Research Specialist at Michigan State University, Director of Communications for WFUM PBS, Online Faculty (Instructor) for University of Maryland, Online Faculty (Instructor) for University of Phoenix, Instructor for University of Detroit Mercy and Free-Lance Journalist for Society of Professional Journalists and owner/operator Ullrich Inc. Through the years, Donna also Co-Founded IMichigan Productions and Flint’s Got Talent. CoFounded the City Theater of Independence, Missouri which was established in 1980. The theatre successfully continues today. She was on the Community Advisory Board of WKAR, Governor for NATAS Michigan Board of Governors, Board member for McCree Theatre, Cable Commissioner for Meridian Township Cable, editor for American Civil War Years: The Michigan Experience (The Reenactors’ Telling), former chair of Law Day Committee for the Genesee County Bar Association, and finally a children’s book author. In 2023 Donna won the International Gold Telly Award for her production work on the short documentary “1112 Dakota Street”. In 2024 she won the International Silver Telly Award as producer for the impactful documentary film “St John Street: The Story of a Neighborhood”. Lastly Donna was awarded with the Internation Bronze Telly Award for her short film: The Horrors and Residue of Jim Crow”. She is survived by her brothers, David and (Debbie) Ullrich from Saginaw, Dale Ullrich from Corvallis Oregon, Dennis (Michelle) Ullrich from Hermitage, Tennessee, several nieces, nephews, close cousins, stepdaughter Hannah and Matt Garid-Stubbs and grand-daughters, Adalyn and Ila of Silver Springs Maryland and many close friends including Carol Lonsway, Denise Carter and Gavin Gardi.

Cory James Taylor

2x Emmy®, 7x Telly Award Winner Legacy Award Honoree

DONNA ULLRICH LEGACY AWARD HONOREE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2026

Cory James Taylor is an award-winning Director of Photography, producer, director and creative leader with more than a decade of experience in film and media production. Founder of Flint Michigan Films, Taylor has built his career around cinematic storytelling, bringing technical expertise and a distinctive visual perspective to narrative films, documentaries and commercial productions. Flint Michigan Films A Flint native, Taylor is passionate about strengthening the city’s creative economy and creating opportunities for filmmakers to build sustainable careers without leaving their community. His work extends beyond production to mentorship, hands-on training and expanding access to professional equipment, studio space and industry experience. Flintside Working alongside the Flint Film Foundation, Taylor helps champion a growing ecosystem where local creatives can learn, collaborate and tell authentic Flint stories. His vision is simple but powerful: produce exceptional work, help others do the same, and establish Flint as a community recognized for outstanding filmmaking and creative talent. Flintside

Jamal Bransford 2x Emmy® Winner, Broadcast Journalism Teacher, Hamady High School Adjunct Professor, Purdue Global University Reel Impact Award Honoree

REEL IMPACT AWARD HONOREE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2026 Jamal Bransford is a two-time Emmy® Award-winning photojournalist, educator and visual storyteller whose career spans more than 20 years in broadcast journalism. His professional experience includes work with WEYI NBC 25, WJRT ABC 12 and WDIV Local 4 Detroit, covering significant stories and events throughout Michigan and across the country. He is also a two-time Edward R. Murrow Award winner and has been recognized as Michigan Association of Broadcasters Photojournalist of the Year. Naavah Media Today, Bransford brings his extensive industry experience into the classroom as a Broadcast Journalism teacher at Hamady High School, where he helps prepare young people for careers in media and visual storytelling. Hamady Hawks TV is an active high-school video broadcast program under his leadership. MIPA Bransford also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Communication at Purdue Global University, extending his commitment to education and developing future communicators. SignalHire Through his work as a journalist, educator and mentor, Bransford continues to connect professional media experience with education, helping emerging storytellers develop their skills, confidence and creative voices.

Dr. David Rembiesa

Professor of Media Arts and Entertainment Technology

FILMED IMPACT AWARD HONOREE FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2026 Dr. Rembiesa is the coordinator for the Media Arts, Film & Theater programs at Mott Community College. He has over 30 years of multimedia, radio, TV, film, video and audio production experience. He is an award winning film producer with over 30 documentary film credits and has written several feature length scripts. He holds both a B.A. and M.A. in Media Arts & Technology from Michigan State University and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from The University of Toledo. Dr. Rembiesa is a regular attendee of both the National Association of Broadcasters and the Michigan Association of Broadcasters Conferences and Expos, and a member of the National Academy of Televisions Arts & Sciences, the Broadcast Education Association and the Michigan Production Alliance. He is currently an advisor for the Lapeer Education Technology Center and School, Genesee Career Institute as well as the Davison, Montrose and Fenton high school media arts and broadcasting programs. He has advised and assisted several organizations on how they can better use video and audio technology in their organization including the Genesee County Ennis Center for Children, Hurley Children’s Hospital, Flint Public Library’s StoryCorps, and the Flint Youth Film Festival. Dr. Rembiesa has presented at several global conferences on college level teaching and learning including the Sino-foreign Seminar on Internal Quality Assurance of Vocational Colleges in Zhejian, Hangzhou, China and IHTEA Conference at Xiamen University. He is a co-chair of Mott Community College’s Committee for the Assessment of Student Learning where he has been instrumental in revamping the college's assessment tools as they pertain to accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission.