Elmore Leonard Festival to Bring Film, Literary Lights to Birmingham

He's the author of almost 50 novels and nine screenplays, and this week, Birmingham will honor one of the area's most notable scribes at the .

The Community House will honor Leonard Thursday through Saturday with  writing contests, film screenings, panel discussions and a gala.

, a nonprofit with a mission to promote cultural literacy, has been planning the event since last spring, said Gigi Nichols, the Community House's media representative.

"We really wanted to do an event that highlighted the growing film industry in Michigan, and at the same time, we wanted to honor our most famous citizen," Nichols said.

Several big names will be sitting in on the panel discussions, including authors Mitch Album and Mike Lupica, members of the Michigan Film Office; film and television actor Charlie Matthau; and Tod "Kip" Williams, the director and producer of Paranormal Activity 2.

The response to the event, Nichols said, has been overwhelmingly positive. "Our phone is ringing off the hook right now," she said.

Nichols said Leonard's family has been intimately involved in the festival. Though Leonard now lives in Bloomfield Hills, the author still has several ties to his former hometown. Leonard raised five children in Birmingham, two of which are now writers in their own right. Chris Leonard once managed the Midtown Café on South Old Woodward and is now living in Arizona, but Peter Leonard still lives in Birmingham and has written two crime novels. In addition, Nichols pointed out that one of Leonard's grandchildren designed the festival's logo and website.

In 2006, the gave the author a lifetime achievement award, citing Leonard's ties to his hometown.

"He chooses to remain among his friends," said Bloomfield Hills resident Julie Candler, who nominated Leonard. "His very presence here contributes to the literary prestige of our community."

If you go: A complete line-up of events for the Elmore Leonard Literary Arts and Film Festival:

Thursday, Nov. 11

Panel discussions: "From Story to Screen," "How to Get in the Film/Screenplay Industry in Michigan." Event starts at 7 p.m., and while admission is free, seating is limited and reservations are encouraged.

Award ceremony:  Winners from the screenplay and teen short story contests.

Friday, Nov. 12

Film screening:  Pilot episode of Justified, FX series adapted from characters in Leonard's novels. Screening starts are 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but seating is limited so reservations are encouraged.

Panel discussion: "How to Take a Book to a Screenplay to a Movie/TV Series." Discussion to immediately follow film screening.

Saturday, Nov. 13

Gala:  A party to honor Leonard and his work, including a dinner, live music from Johnny Trudell, a documentary and testimonials. A meet-and-greet with Leonard begins at 6 p.m. for $250 ticket holders, while the event officially begins at 6:45 for $200 ticket holders. To purchase tickets, contact the Community House or start the process online.