5 Things to Know About the 2012 Uptown Film Festival

The second annual Uptown Film Festival kicks off Thursday. Here's a few quick facts you need to know:

1. Shows start Thursday, wrap up Saturday

The festival officially begins at 7 p.m. Thursday with the Michigan Filmmakers Reception at the Birmingham 8, and then wraps up at 9:30 p.m. Saturday with the third annual Michigan Film Awards.

All films will be showing at both the Palladium and Birmingham 8 throughout the duration of the festival. For a complete line-up of films, visit .

2. Individual tickets available for $10 per showing

Tickets for individual shows are available for purchase at uptownpalladium.com and www.uptownfilmfestival.com. All shows cost $10 each, while the Detroit Music Awards cost $5 for attendees. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.

Attendees may also purchase a variety of passes, including:

• Festival Pass ($75 per person): Allows attendees reserved seating into all film screenings and the Michigan Film Awards ceremony.
• Gala Event Pass ($100 per person): Allows attendees entry into the VIP charity gala and afterglow party March 9. The gala will be followed by the screening of Machine Gun Preacher.
• VIP Festival Pass ($150 per person): This pass allows attendees entry into the VIP charity gala and afterglow party, as well as all sponsored gifts. Pass holders also get reserved seating for all films during the festival.

3. Special events include bullying panel, Michigan Film Award show

Special to the Uptown Film Festival this year are several panel discussions, including a 10 a.m. panel Saturday on the future of the Michigan film industry.

At 4 p.m. Saturday, the festival will also host a panel on bullying featuring local students, teachers and parents. The panel will follow the , at 2 p.m.

Also on the schedule of special events is the third annual Michigan Film Awards at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, the VIP Charity Gala at 7 p.m. Friday and the Michigan Filmmakers Reception at 7 p.m. Thursday.

4. Festival to host Detroit, world premieres

Several films will be premiered at the Uptown Film Festival this weekend, including:

• Brothers on the Line (world premiere) — 8 p.m. Thursday, Birmingham 8
• Dirty Energy (Michigan premiere) — 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Birmingham 8
• D-Force (Detroit premiere) — 8 p.m. Friday, Birmingham 8
• Restitution (Detroit premiere) — 8:30 p.m. Friday, Birmingham 8
• Detroit Winter (world premiere) — 11 a.m. Saturday, Birmingham 8
• Somewhere West (Metro Detroit premiere) — 11:15 a.m. Saturday, Birmingham 8

5. Want more information?

Catch up with Birmingham Patch's coverage of the 2012 Uptown Film Festival by checking out all the stories we've published at Uptown Film Festival 2012.

Then, stay tuned with Patch's coverage all weekend long at our Facebook page and by following us on Twitter.