Awards

• Best Local Film Festival, 2015. The Detroit Metro Times named the Cinetopia International Film Festival the best local film festival in Metro Detroit in their annual Best of Detroit ratings. Founded by the Michigan Theater in 2012, Cinetopia focuses on presenting feature length, story-based films–dramas, comedies, and documentary films from across the globe that have screened at the world’s best film festivals.
• Deals of the Year Nominee, 2014. One of three nonprofit organizations nominated by the Ann Arbor News for their 10th annual Deals of the Year award. Nominees are selected in seven business sector categories that represent the organizations, transactions, and individuals that most impacted the business community over the previous year. The Michigan Theater was nominated for its purchase of the State Theatre, which prevented the historic art deco facility from being turned into office space.
• Detroit Arts Challenge, 2013-2014 and 2015-2016. Awarded funding from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to further expand the Cinetopia International Film Festival in Detroit. The Michigan Theater was one of 56 organizations awarded funding out of over 1,400 applicants.
• Indiewire Influencer, 2013. Executive Director Russell B. Collins was recognized by Indiewire, the leading news, information, and social networking site for the international independent film community, as one of their 2013 Indiewire Influencers. The Indiewire Influencers list recognizes 40 individuals and organizations from across the country that are shaping the future of the independent film industry. Indiewire also recognized that the Michigan Theater is “one of the nation’s most prestigious movie venues.”
• Sundance Festival USA, 2010 to 2014. Selected as an official venue of the Sundance Film Festival. The MTF was one of a handful of venues across the nation selected to present a premiere screening of a Sundance Film Festival film. Other cities selected for this honor included New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Nashville, Madison, San Francisco, and Boston. Ann Arbor was the smallest city and the Michigan Theater was the largest venue participating.
• Kresge Foundation Institutional Capitalization Grant, 2010. The Michigan Theater was awarded a $1.0 million Institutional Capitalization grant from the Kresge Foundation; 141 applications from across the country were submitted, MTF was one of only nine organizations awarded. MTF successfully met the $1.0 million match by raising over $1.0 million in donations from the community. The purpose of the grant and matching funds is to establish an initial $2.0 million Building Reserve Fund which will be used to ensure the long term sustainability of the facility and physical structure of the historic Michigan Theater.
• Ambassador Award, 2007. Presented by the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau, for serving as a cultural ambassador to the southeastern Michigan area.
• Finalist, Governor’s Award for Arts & Culture, 2007. Presented by ArtServe Michigan, the “Guvvys” are Michigan’s highest Arts Honor which recognizes outstanding support of arts and culture in Michigan.
• Sundance Institute Art House Theater, 2006 to present. Chosen by the Sundance Institute as one of only 14 theaters across the country to participate in a nationwide celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Sundance Institute, and one of only 12 selected for its prestigious Art House Project.
• Outstanding Historic Theatre, 2006. Presented by the League of Historic American Theatres for outstanding historic preservation. This singular award praised our sustained high standards of excellence in vision, execution and service.  It also recognized the impact of the theater’s programs and services to the community.
• Commended by the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission, 2006. For the permanent installation of the Ford Gallery of Ann Arbor History in the Michigan Theater.
• State History Award and Outstanding Preservation and Restoration Award, 2005. Presented by the Historical Society of Michigan for outstanding renovation and preservation efforts.
• State of Michigan “Cool Cities” Grant Recipient, 2005.
• Great Lakes Community Arts Award, 2005. Presented by the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies in celebration of outstanding commitment to arts and culture in Michigan.
• Commended by the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission, 2005. For faithfully respecting the historic qualities and character of the building and insuring its continued enjoyment by the residents of Michigan.
• Non-Profit Enterprise at Work Excellence in Management Award, 1999. Presented in recognition of exemplary management, effective planning, innovative use of resources, and outstanding achievements.
• Michigan Society of Architects Award of Honor, 1987. For excellence in restoration and renovation.
• Consistently voted “Best Place to See A Movie” or “Best Movie Theater” by the readers of the Ann Arbor News, The Michigan Daily, and Current, as well as being the winner of the WDIV-TV “Vote 4 the Best” Best Indie Theater award.