Reserve your seat for “Frontier to Freedom,” a historical documentary that unearths the rich and often overlooked history of Michigan. 🎟️. Film screening will be followed by a roundtable discussion. Must register online to reserve seat, limited seating. www.thebattlefield.org
FREE Screening: Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 2:00pm at Visitor Center
Film run time 1 hour, 58 minutes, Roundtable to follow screening.
FREE admission compliments of our Major & Education Americas 250 Sponsors: DTE Energy, La-Z-Boy Incorporated, Monroe Community Credit Union, Wyandotte Nation, The Youth Connection, and Doug & Diane Chaffin.
Title: Frontier to Freedom
Logline: The origin story of Michigan to celebrate America250.
Synopsis: Frontier to Freedom is a historical documentary 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.
Distribution:
We have a limited theatrical release in Michigan beginning June 5th at Emagine Entertainment, Celebration Cinema, and dozens of independent theaters across Michigan. The Michigan PBS affiliates will begin broadcasting it in July, and American Public Television will begin broadcasting it nationally on PBS beginning in September.
Free Admission -Registration online required:
Director Bio:
Manitou Films is an international award-winning film and television production company located in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Keith Patterson founded Manitou Films in 2022 after 15 years in Los Angeles as a producer on drama and comedy television series for ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, the CW, USA, E!, Lifetime, ABC Family, Nat Geo, and Disney XD. He has directed and produced advertising campaigns for brands such as Meijer, Mars, Johnsonville, General Motors, Toyota, Pure Michigan, and American Greetings. Manitou Films productions Frontier to Freedom, The Spirit of Sleeping Bear Dunes and Lake Leelanau, Spirit of the Lake will be distributed PBS in 2026. Keith served as Board President of the West Michigan American Advertising Federation in 2020-2022, and Manitou Films was the recipient of the 2024 State History Award for Media from the Historical Society of Michigan.
Quotes:
“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.
“The founding of the United States was nothing short of miraculous, but the full story is far more complex than many of us realize. Even though Michigan was not one of the original 13 colonies, our region played a significant role in shaping the nation’s early history. There are chapters that inspire pride—and others that may surprise or even shock us. This story deserves to be told, and WGVU is proud to bring Frontier to Freedom to public media audiences across the country,” – Jim Rademaker, General Manager of WGVU Public Media
“From concept to a grant-supported documentary, Keith Patterson’s journey shows what thoughtful public investment in history can achieve. This powerful documentary, Frontier to Freedom, was funded through the America250MI History Grant program. This is exactly the kind of project America250MI was created to champion—work that interprets, preserves, and explores Michigan’s rich history, delivers lasting impact, and aligns with our 5 Guiding Themes. We’re thrilled by what Keith has accomplished and wish him and Manitou Films continued success!” – Robert Doran-Brockway, Program Director of America250MI
“Frontier to Freedom brings Michigan’s early history to life by sharing not only well-known narratives but also the stories and perspectives of Indigenous nations, African American communities, and other voices too often left out of traditional narratives. The film invites audiences to understand Michigan’s path to statehood—and the ideals of freedom and self-determination—from a place of depth and honesty. We are proud to have contributed to the thoughtful, inclusive storytelling in this film that helps to broaden understanding of Michigan’s early history.” – Kathryn Buckner, President and CEO of The Americana Foundation
