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Danvers Accessibility Commission votes to request $3,000 from town for 504 Film Festival
Summary
The Town of Danvers Accessibility Commission voted unanimously Oct. 23 to request roughly $3,000 from the town to support the 504 Film Festival, which will involve student teams and a screening at AMC Danvers.
The Town of Danvers Accessibility Commission voted Oct. 23 to request funding from the town of about $3,000 to support the 504 Film Festival, a student film program that will screen at AMC Danvers in winter and include cash awards and production costs.
The commission’s chair, JD Marks, led the funding motion and called for a vote. “All in favor of requesting funding from the town for the 504 Film Festival? Raise your hand. Say aye,” Marks said. Commissioners answered “Aye,” and Marks announced the vote was unanimous.
The commission and presenters said the festival currently has 10 student teams working on films. Film submissions are expected in November and December, with public screenings at AMC Danvers planned for January and February. Danvers Community Access Television (DCAT) will participate in the screenings and a red-carpet event.
Organizers outlined the estimated budget items discussed at the meeting: a first-place cash award of $500, second place $300 and a third-place award described as $200; theater rental fees referenced during discussion (one figure mentioned was $550 per hour), a microphone for roughly $30 and a projector fee referenced at about $150. At the meeting the group agreed to request $3,000 “for right now” to cover the event costs.
Commissioners said they have applied to the Human Rights and Inclusion Committee (HRIC) grant program for up to $500 and asked that the town’s contribution come from handicap-parking-fee revenue. One organizer said she would personally fund the event if the town denied the request.
Votes at a glance - Request for town funding for the 504 Film Festival — motion: request approximately $3,000 from the town general fund (organizers asked funds be drawn from handicap parking fees); mover/second: not specified in the transcript; tally: unanimous “Aye” (quorum present); outcome: approved. Note: the commission chair said he would forward the funding request document to town staff Jill for processing. - Scheduling vote — next regular meeting date — motion: set next commission meeting for Dec. 4; mover/second: not specified; tally: unanimous “Aye”; outcome: approved.
Context and next steps Commissioners said they will forward the funding request paperwork to town staff for inclusion in the town’s regular budget or warrant process. The organizer who applied to HRIC said the maximum available grant from that committee is $500 and that award, if awarded, would reduce the town request.
Several commissioners and staff volunteers offered to help with event logistics and promotion, including contacting the high school DECA program for posters and working with DCAT for event production. The commission recorded no amendments to the funding motion at the meeting.
Ending The commission will send the funding request to town staff for formal processing and pursue available HRIC grant funds. Organizers said they will confirm film-submission and screening dates with participating schools and AMC Danvers.
