This year, the Ann Arbor Film Festival (happening March 23-28) — one of only two dozen film festivals nationwide to receive a generous grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences — will feature a tribute to American experimental filmmaking icon Kenneth Anger, including multiple screenings of his work and a live on-stage conversation with him at the historic Michigan Theater.

As one of the seminal figures of post-war American avant-garde filmmaking, Anger’s imprint on the contemporary film world is pervasive, with direct influences on filmmakers Martin Scorcese, David Lynch, Gus Van Sant, Andy Warhol, George Lucas and Guy Maddin.

Anger’s early works were exhibited at the Ann Arbor Film Festival in the 1960s and 1970s.

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.