Waterfront Film Festival tips, tricks

SAUGATUCK, Mich. (WOOD) - If you're going to the Waterfront Film Festival, make sure you have water and a good pair of walking shoes. And since parking is at a premium, park in one spot -- like Saugatuck High School - and take the shuttle to the venues.

The 14th annual Waterfront Film Festival has earned accolades as one of the best film festivals in the country, attracting a number of stars and a slew of films that brings thousands to the shoreline.

Movies like Wuss, How Do You Write a Joe Schermann Song, Scalene, Green, Without and Queen of Versailles are among the features this year making their Michigan or Midwest premieres.

Also making its Midwest premiere is Virginia, a movie shot in West Michigan starring Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly and Liam Neeson.

Still more films -- Five Time Champion, Below Zero, Wild Horse, Wild Ride and Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians -- will also be screened at the festival.

Saugatuck High School is home to two of the venues, with the biggest venue at the Saugatuck Yacht Services on Holland Street. Three movies are also playing at the Dunes Resort on Blue Star Highway

Not all tickets guarantee you a seat if the movie sells out. Passes will give you a priority entry ahead of ticket holders, and seats for ticket holders will only be guaranteed for 15 minutes before the movie.

But the best part of the Waterfront Film Festival is talking to people involved in the movies. Many filmmakers and cast members are at the festival and want to talk about the movies with you.

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24 Hour New8's Aaron Lafferty will provide coverage of the Watefront Film Festival throughout the weekend. Read the Laff at the Movies blog and follow Aaron Lafferty on Twitter.