DIFA 10

 Saturday, April 5th, 2025

 Doors Open 7pm, Organ Pre-show 7:30pm, Showtime 8pm

 Senate Theater, 6424 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48210

https://www.senatetheater.com/parking

Join us for the 10th Annual DETROIT INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION (DIFA) on Saturday, April 5th, 2025. Immerse yourself in an eclectic 90-minute mix of animated shorts showcasing a vibrant selection of works from both local and international animators.

Set in the historic Senate Theater in Detroit, this 1920’s Art Deco gem is not only known for its visual charm but also houses the world’s 8th largest Wurlitzer pipe organ. Enjoy the classic concession stand, comfortable lounging areas, and the added convenience of secure parking.

Be sure to catch the enchanting Wurlitzer Pipe Organ pre-show by the Detroit Theater Organ Society, beginning at 7:30pm. Doors open at 7pm with the main show beginning at 8pm.

Tickets are $10 and advance tickets will be available on March 1st, along the full animation schedule. Please note, this event is recommended for a mature audience (18 and over) due to some content and themes.

To stay in the loop and for more details, visit difestofanim.com.

For updates, join the DIFA newsletter or the DIFA Newsgroup:

www.difestofanim.com/newsletter

www.facebook.com/groups/DIFANewsgroup

The Senate Theater, home of the Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Sat. Mar. 29 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 25min | R | Action/Comedy | Hong Kong/USA 

Thirty years ago, Jackie Chan, the undisputed king of kung fu comedy, broke through to worldwide mainstream success and superstardom with Rumble in the Bronx.  

Beloved by kung fu heads everywhere, the Hong Kong action star had long earned fans with his incomparable feats of agility and a timeless sense of physical comedy. But with this flick, set in the New York City borough of the Bronx, (looking suspiciously like Vancouver, Canada) Jackie was unleashed onto North American screens like never before. And audiences were enthralled, reveling in its antic fights and chases, delighting in its goofy charms. They laughed and gasped at its thrills and absurdities, marching in droves to theaters as the film tumbled and leapt its way improbably toward becoming the most profitable film of the year.  

Join us as we relive the stunts, the brawls, the goofy hijinks, (and the ridiculous dubbing) on the Senate’s big screen! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Sat. Feb. 15 

Doors – 7:00 PM  

Organ Overture – 7:30 PM  

Film – 8:00 PM  

Tickets - $6  

1hr 30min | NR | Drama | France 

In French with English subtitles 

Presented in partnership with Cinema Lamont 

This February 15, put Valentine’s Day behind you and come celebrate sixty-five years of Jean-Luc Godard's anti-romance Breathless, projected in all its tragic glory on the Senate’s big screen! 

A perennial pick for “best films of all time” lists Godard’s debut feature stands as a prime example of the French New Wave film movement. Set in Paris, it tells the story of a two-bit, Humphrey Bogart obsessed criminal as he attempts to escape the law, hiding out with his naive American girlfriend while trying to look as cool as possible. In defiance of convention this 1960s art-house classic instead favors bold stylistic experimentation.  With a then innovative use of jump-cuts, juxtaposed with documentary-style natural lighting and a hand-held camera, Breathless simultaneously blurs and calls attention to the line between art and reality. 

Come see why we’re still talking about it! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts. 

Parking is available in our gated lot, on Gilbert, and Michigan Avenue 

Doors – 7:00 PM 

Film – 8:00 PM 

Tickets - $12 

1hr 22min | NR | Historical Drama | France 

Live Organ Accompaniment by Scott Smith 

Presented in partnership with Cinema Lamont

Silents at the Senate and Cinema Lamont invite you to behold this singular film. An exaltation. An ode. A rousing picture of conspiracy, belief, and sacrifice. 

The Passion of Joan of Arc is a timeless artistic achievement, relentless in style and achingly evocative. It rightly stands as one of the finest films of all time.

Watch as an icon of women’s history transcends her era, the psychological drama of her final hours on screen. Listen as her struggle unfolds in bold imagery, invigorated by a live score from organist Scott Smith on the Senate Theater’s Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ. 

Based on the actual medieval records of the trial and execution of Joan of Arc, Carl Th. Dreyer’s masterwork is nothing less than a cinematic reincarnation.

In the soulful visage of Renée Maria Falconetti the patron saint of France comes to life, shot in startling close-ups that aim to “interpret a hymn to the triumph of the soul over life." 

Experience it the way it was meant to be seen: in the communal atmosphere of a theater, the majestic sounds of a theater organ filling the room. It will be a true feast for the ears, eyes, and spirit. We hope to see you there! 

The Senate Theater and The Detroit Theater Organ Society is supported by The Michigan Arts and Culture Council and The National Endowment for the Arts 

Parking is available in a gated parking lot on Gilbert St., behind the theater.