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HomeMy WebLinkAbout14 - BA-027 - Newport Beach Film FestivalHearing Date: Agenda Item No.: Staff Person: REPORT TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: Request for Assistance from Newport Beach Film Festival SUGGESTED February 13, 2001 14 Sharon Z. Wood (949) 644 -3222 ACTION: Approve a budget amendment transferring $30,000 from General Fund unappropriated surplus to the Economic Development special department expense account, and approve assistance to the Film Festival in that amount. Discussion The Newport Beach Film Festival is requesting $40,000 to assist with the cost of venues, to continue showing all films that are part of the festival in Newport Beach. Their request letter and supporting materials are attached. Last year, the City Council approved $7,000 of assistance with start-up costs, because the Film Festival was reorganizing and trying to put the event together on short notice after the failure of the previous organization. An additional $30,000 of assistance was later approved for the cost of venues. As a result, it was the first year that all festival venues were in Newport Beach. The festival also had a very successful year, with 15,000 to 18,000 attendees. The City Council and the Economic Development Committee were very pleased with the success of the festival. This year's total budget for the Film Festival is $288,500, plus over $350,000 in in -kind donations. The amount for all venues to be in Newport Beach is estimated at $45,000. Films will be screened at the Edwards Island Cinema, and the opening and closing galas will be shown at the Edwards Big Newport Cinema. Additional receptions will be held at local hotels, and there will be a two -day seminar series on the art of filmmaking in the Central Library. It is estimated that 17,000 people will attend this year's festival. Staff believes that the festival is an event that benefits Newport Beach by bringing visitors who spend money in restaurants and hotels during the off season, and do not disrupt residential neighborhoods. The Film Festival may be an introduction to Newport Beach for many attendees, some of whom may decide to return for a weekend getaway or vacation. The number of hotel stays by festival attendees is not available for last year, although festival organizers intend to collect that information this year. In 2000, the festival itself spent $15,000 on events in local hotels. CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH �rEWroR, COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC Q DEVELOPMENT t PLANNING DEPARTMENT 3300 NEWPORT BOULEVARD NEWPORT BEACH, CA 92658 (714) 644 -3200; FAX (714) 644 -3250 Hearing Date: Agenda Item No.: Staff Person: REPORT TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL SUBJECT: Request for Assistance from Newport Beach Film Festival SUGGESTED February 13, 2001 14 Sharon Z. Wood (949) 644 -3222 ACTION: Approve a budget amendment transferring $30,000 from General Fund unappropriated surplus to the Economic Development special department expense account, and approve assistance to the Film Festival in that amount. Discussion The Newport Beach Film Festival is requesting $40,000 to assist with the cost of venues, to continue showing all films that are part of the festival in Newport Beach. Their request letter and supporting materials are attached. Last year, the City Council approved $7,000 of assistance with start-up costs, because the Film Festival was reorganizing and trying to put the event together on short notice after the failure of the previous organization. An additional $30,000 of assistance was later approved for the cost of venues. As a result, it was the first year that all festival venues were in Newport Beach. The festival also had a very successful year, with 15,000 to 18,000 attendees. The City Council and the Economic Development Committee were very pleased with the success of the festival. This year's total budget for the Film Festival is $288,500, plus over $350,000 in in -kind donations. The amount for all venues to be in Newport Beach is estimated at $45,000. Films will be screened at the Edwards Island Cinema, and the opening and closing galas will be shown at the Edwards Big Newport Cinema. Additional receptions will be held at local hotels, and there will be a two -day seminar series on the art of filmmaking in the Central Library. It is estimated that 17,000 people will attend this year's festival. Staff believes that the festival is an event that benefits Newport Beach by bringing visitors who spend money in restaurants and hotels during the off season, and do not disrupt residential neighborhoods. The Film Festival may be an introduction to Newport Beach for many attendees, some of whom may decide to return for a weekend getaway or vacation. The number of hotel stays by festival attendees is not available for last year, although festival organizers intend to collect that information this year. In 2000, the festival itself spent $15,000 on events in local hotels. To fully use the festival to promote Newport Beach, and to keep the maximum sales tax generated by attendees in the City, staff believes it is important for the City to continue assisting the festival to keep all the venues in Newport Beach. The City's contribution for this purpose in 2000 was $30,000, and staff believes that is a reasonable amount for the City to contribute again. Last year's assistance came from the Economic Development capital fund, which was established to provide funds for special studies and professional services in support of the City's economic development program. Because the need for these services was low last year, sufficient funds for the festival were available in the account. There has been more need for these services this year, to assist the Corona del Mar, Mariner's Mile and Balboa Peninsula planning efforts. Therefore, staff is suggesting a budget amendment to transfer $30,000 from the General Fund unappropriated surplus to the Economic Development special department expense account. SHARON Z. WOOD Assistant City Manager X&6� �) * Page 2 4540 Campus Drive Suite 100 Newport Beach California 92660 Sharon Wood Assistant City Manager City of Newport Beach 3300 Newport Boulevard Newport Beach, CA 92663 01/31/01 Dear Sharon: Y� phone 949.253.2880 fax 949.253.2881 www newportbeac hfi I mfest. co m This letter is to request your support of the 2001 Newport Beach Film Festival. We are specifically seeking $40,000.00 to assist with venue and associated costs for our 7 -day event. This support will enable us to build on the strong foundation established by the 2000 Festival. The Newport Beach Film Festival will host an estimated 17,000 attendees. 100% of our screenings and events will take place within the City of Newport Beach. We will present over 100 short films and nearly 60 features. The Festival will also hold four tribute screenings of classic films. In addition, we are planning a 2 -day seminar series covering the art of film - making to be held at the Newport Beach Public Library. The Newport Beach Film Festival is the largest festival in Orange County and is also quickly becoming the most respected in Southern California. We are hopeful of your support and look forward to seeing you at the Festival. Sincerely, Gregg Schwenk Executive Director NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL The Newport Beach Film Festival will spotlight films from around the world including features, shorts, documentaries, and animation that will compete for a series of awards including Jury Awards and Audience Awards. In addition to film screenings, the Festival will host several premiere galas, yacht parties, and question and answer sessions with filmmakers. The Festival will premiere March 29 and run through April 5, 2001. The event is expected to attract more than 20,000 film devotees. Blending the best of classic and contemporary filmmaking, the Festival is proud to showcase an.exclusive selection of award - winning independent films from around the world. International entries, including selections from South Africa, China, Sweden, Japan, Mexico and Argentina Eire carefully chosen to represent a truly unique mix of genre and medium. Over the Festival's eight -day run, participants will be treated to U.S. and world premieres, Academy Award - nominated short films, gala opening night and closing night events, and an in -depth seminar series exploring the world of filmmaking through the eyes of recognized film industry players. The City of Newport Beach will serve as host to the Festival's film screenings and special events. Located just 55 minutes scuth of Hollywood, Newport Beach offers an optimal setting to experience filmmaking at its finest. The City boasts one of the largest movie consumer groups in thc! world and a rich filmmaking history. Thousands of visitors every year are drawn to the City's spectacular coastline, fine dining, shopping, and exciting recreational activities. Films will screen at The Edwards Island Cinema Theaters, located at Fashion Island outdoor shopping center in the heart of Newport Beach. Opening and closing galas will be shown at Edwards Big Newport Cinemas, located across the street from Fashion Island. EVENT: NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL DATES: March 29 — April 5, 2000 LOCATION Newport Beach, CA ATTENDANCE: 17,000+ (2000 figures) FILMS SCREENED: 160 MAJOR FESTIVAL EVENTS: Opening Night Premiere & Gala: The Sting, winner of seven Academy Awards in 1973, will be the featured film for this evening. Sally Kirkland will be attending, along with other members of the cast and production crew including David S. Ward (screenwriter), Jack Kehoe, Tony Bill (producer) and Robert Surtees (cinematographer). This special evening will begin with a VIP Reception for special guests and sponsors followed by a Gala, which will be attended by about 1000 people. French Connection Evening: This evening will celebrate the 30`h anniversary of The French Connection, winner of 5 Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. Director William Friedkin (other credits include To Live and Die in L.A. and Rules of Engagement) will be honored at a special reception. He has been honored with Best Director Awards from the Directors Guild of America (1971), the New York Film Critics Circle (1971) and the Golden Globes (1972). British Evening: Tunes of Glory (1960) will be the featured movie. Director Ronald Neame (other credits include the Poseidon Adventure, The Odessa File and Gambit) will be a special guest. The Film swept the 1960 awards presented by the New York Film Critics Circle and was also named the Best British Film at the 1960 British Academy Awards ceremonies. Latino Evening: The Festival, in conjunction with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will present the 201h anniversary screening of Zoot Suit. Cast members and other VIPs in the Latino movie community will be in attendance at the reception, including Edward James Olmos and Pepe Cerna. Shorts/Video Series: This is a major component of he Festival, with 100+ shorts presented during the week. A special party is held for the filmmakers and casts of these films. Screenwriters and & Filmmakers Seminars: The Festival schedules a series of presentations on the world of filmmaking through the eyes cf influential artists in a variety of trades. The 2000 schedule covered screenwriting, cinematography, production and set design, directing, special effects, stage makeup, design and the music world among others. The 2001 Seminar Series will follow a similar format. Closing Night Awards Ceremonies: This is one of the highlights of the Festival, including a VIP party followed by the awards presentation that is open to the public. Awards are presented for the both the feature and shorts categories and include special audience selection awards for Best Feature, Best Short and Best Documentary and Best Foreign Film. Other Functions: China (PRC) Evening Swedish /EU Evening Film Lecture Series Filmmaker Breakfast Nightly International /Industry hosted events DEMOGRAPHICS In 1998, Chapman University School of Business and Economics conducted a survey of Festival attendees. The following summarizes its findings: o 70% of viewers are between the ages of 18 -49. • A relatively equal number of males and females were interviewed. • Approximately half of the Festival attendees have annual incomes in excess of $65,000. • Nearly three - fourths (72 %) own or use a computer in the home or workplace, and over 90% surf the Internet. • Over 75% of these viewers have cable access for television, and almost the same numbers of viewers subscribe to one or more movie channels. • Viewers rent movies frequently during the week, with over three - quarters using one of the three biggest video rented stores in Orange County. • Over 50% indicated a strong preference in choosing the Marriott, the Hilton or the Hyatt Regency for their hote' accommodations during vacation trips. • Over three - quarters subscribe to the Los Angeles Times and The Orange County Register. • Over a third of the viewers drive either a l=ord or Toyota, with a third preferring foreign car manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Honda, Nissan and Mercedes -Benz. 2001 Newport Beach Film Festival Board of Directors and Advisors Mr. Ruben Alvarez Executive Director, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Mr. Ken Anderson President, OCPOST Ms. Janice Arrington Orange County Film Commissioner, Cal State Fullerton, Orange County Film Commission Mr. Bob Bassett Dean, Film and Television, Chapman University Mr. Scott Forrest Founder /Producer, SMASH CUTS! Ms. Rita Goldberg Chair, Newport Beach Premiere Cinema Guild Mr. William S. Hall Chair, Film/Video Department, Orange Coast College Ms. Brooke Hazard Director of Development, School of Film and Television, Chapman University Ms. Jo King Balboa Theater Ms. Cynthia King Cal State Fullerton Mr. Arnold Kunert The Argonaut Foundation Ms. Bridget Lindquist Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau Mr. John J. Link Link, Murrel & Co. Ms. Laura MacKinnon Adult Program Coordinator, Newport Beach Public Library Ms. Cathy Michaels Nonprofit Management Consultant Mr. Greg Nassief President, Seawolf Productions Mr. Gregory Pyros CEO, Pyros Pictures, Inc. Mr. Todd Quartararo President, Q & A Ms. Pam Ramsaier Stefanucci & Turner Mr. Keith A. Rosenbaum Attorney at Law LL.M., Spectrum Law Group, LLP Ms. Nancy Schultz PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Mr. Gregg M. Schwenk Vice President, Acquisition Services Group, The Geneva Companies Mr. Dave Snowden Chief of Police, Costa Mesa Police Department Ms. Barbara Sted Hollywood Film & Video, Inc. Ms. Ann Stefanucci Stefanucci & Turner Ms. Hallie Struck Cultural Arts Coordinator, Cultural Arts, City of Newport Beach Mr. Doug Stuckey Public Affairs Director, Newport Harbor Area Chamber of Commerce Ms. Jane Weyhrauch President, Deluxe Color Printers Ms. Lise White Acting Director, Arts & Humanities, UC Irvine Extension Page 1 1/31/2001 City of Newport Beach BUDGET AMENDMENT 2000 -01 EFFECT ON BUDGETARY FUND BALANCE: Increase Revenue Estimates X Increase Expenditure Appropriations Transfer Budget Appropriations SOURCE: from existing budget appropriations from additional estimated revenues NX from unappropriated fund balance EXPLANATION: NO. BA- 027 AMOUNT: $30,000.00 Increase in Budgetary Fund Balance AND X Decrease in Budgetary Fund Balance No effect on Budgetary Fund Balance This budget amendment is requested to provide for the following: To increase expenditure appropriations to provide assistance to the Newport Beach Film Festival. ACCOUNTING ENTRY: BUDGETARY FUND BALANCE Fund Account 010 3605 REVENUE ESTIMATES (360 1) Amount Debit Description General Fund Balance $30,000.00 ` Credit FundlDivision Account Description EXPENDITURE APPROPRIATIONS (3603) Description Division Number 2720 Planning Dept - Economic Devt Account Number 8250 Special Department Expense $30,000.00 Division Number Account Number Division Number Account Number Division Number Account Number Automatic System Entry. Signed: Financial Approval: Administrative Services Director Date Administrative Ap vat: City Manager Dat Signed: City Council Approval: City Clerk Date