Films & Events Coming Soon!

Frontier to Freedom

Winner of the 2026 State History Award for Media from the Historical Society of Michigan

Thursday September 24th

@ 7:30pm

120 minutes i english

Frontier to Freedom is a historical documentary feature film that unearths the rich and often overlooked history of Michigan, tracing its evolution from a vast, untamed wilderness inhabited by Indigenous peoples in 1600 to its emergence as the 26th State in 1837. Through a blend of expert interviews, archival imagery, animated maps, and stunning visuals, the film explores the region’s formative years, its history of war and conflict on the American frontier, and the complex socio-political forces that shaped its path to statehood.

“Our goal is to reinspire patriotism and civic engagement in generations of Michiganders by telling the origin story of our great state in a bold and truthful documentary." - Writer, Director and Producer Keith Patterson.

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Here:Say is Bringing Live Storytelling to The Garden Theater

January 30, 2027!

“Frosty Frankfort” will feature selected performers who take the stage to tell true, first-person stories that celebrate winter in Benzie County.

Got caught in a massive snowstorm while driving? Traversed Lake Michigan during a polar vortex? Created an ice skating rink in your backyard? Submit your story pitch about an experience you had during winter in Benzie at www.heresaystorytelling.com/pitch-your-story. Follow the prompts to tell us the actual story – not just what it’s about. Give us a sense of the story from beginning to end and why this experience was meaningful to you. Be sure to select “Frosty Frankfort” from the drop-down menu when submitting your pitch.

Kabie Stein of Here:Say Storytelling will be at the Garden Theater on Monday, September 28, at 6:30pm to provide a FREE storytelling workshop on how to tell a true story on stage. Fill out the RSVP form below if you are interested in attending.

For more details about the show or the story coaching process, email Kabie Stein at kabie@heresaystorytelling.com.

Workshop RSVP

September Movie:

Breakfast At Tiffany’s

Tuesday September 29th

@ 6:00pm

PG i 1hr 55 minutes i english

A young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building, but her past threatens to get in the way.

Every month we will be showing a FREE classic film as part of our Garden Classic Movies series!

Stay tuned to learn about upcoming GCM picks.

Great Michigan Gathering Featuring Priya Parker

Thursday, October 8th - 7:30PM

The Garden Theater has joined Great Michigan Gathering to bring community-building programs to Frankfort!

Priya Parker will be discussing the loneliness epidemic and her book, The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, at the Henry Ford Museum as part of the Great Michigan Gathering program. Join us at The Garden Theater for a watch party where we will be live-streaming the event!

There will be optional discussion and reflection activities after Priya Parker’s talk.

Learn more about Great Michigan Gathering with the link below.

Learn more

S4: The Bob Lazar Story

114 min

FREE Screening on October 1st!

From jet engines to Los Alamos, Bob Lazar's life is rooted in science. In 1988, hired at S4 near Area 51, he reverse-engineered alien tech. Narrated by Lazar, this film uses exclusive footage to reveal America's best-kept secret.

AND, Bob Lazar himself will do a recorded Q&A based on the questions we give him! For anyone out there that wonders if...we are not alone, then here's your chance to ask him a question!

Submit your questions to us, by emailing friends@gardentheater.org. Email subject line - "S4: Bob Lazar Question"

Manhattan Short Film Festival 2026

October 2nd - 4th

For the first time in its history, MANHATTAN SHORT has selected ten films from ten countries.

The MANHATTAN SHORT Final Ten are:

Small Talk (USA), Mary is Missing (Ireland), Candy Bar (Australia), Vultures (South Africa), Life Goes On (United Kingdom), Hai Davai (Moldova), Pickup (Russia), Norheimsund (Cuba), When the Sea was Calm (Georgia), Never Give Up (Mexico).

You Be the Judge!

Which of these Final Ten short films is the best? That’s up to a worldwide audience to decide. Cinema-goers across the United States and around the globe will become instant film critics as they are handed a ballot upon entry that allows them to vote for the Best Film and Actor. Votes will be sent through to MANHATTAN SHORT HQ, with the winners announced at ManhattanShort.com on Monday, Oct 5, at 10 AM EST.

learn more about the manhattan short film festival at the link below