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Council backs $100,000 for Avondale Film Festival despite community dispute
Summary
Council voted to allocate $100,000 from the special events fund for the Avondale Film Festival; most sponsors emphasized youth workforce development and citywide benefits, while one member voted no to respect a community council request to delay.
A motion sponsored by Council members Johnson, James and the vice mayor proposed $100,000 from fiscal-year special events funds to support the Avondale Film Festival. Supporters described the festival as a three‑year effort that employs youth, partners with the University of Cincinnati and expands film-workforce opportunities.
"The Avondale Film Festival is a remarkable, film festival that I think everybody needs to take the time out and view it and check it out," said Council President Johnson, stressing the festival’s role in youth employment and industry relationships.
The motion drew one recorded no vote from a council member who said the Avondale Community Council had asked to hold funding for a week; that member said the opposition was out of deference to local stakeholders rather than the festival’s merits. Other sponsors said the festival is separate from broader community disputes and urged moving forward.
Council adopted the motion by roll call; council members urged staff to continue dialogue between the Avondale Development Corporation and the community council and to support the festival’s youth programming.
