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Council approves $100,000 for Avondale Film Festival after debate over local governance
Summary
Cincinnati's Budget, Finance and Governance committee approved a $100,000 special-events allocation for the Avondale Film Festival after community supporters highlighted youth training and workforce benefits and some residents urged a pause until governance disputes between the Avondale Development Corporation and the Avondale Community Council are resolved.
The Budget, Finance and Governance committee of the Cincinnati City Council voted to allocate $100,000 in special-events carryover funding to the Avondale Film Festival, despite public testimony urging caution because of an ongoing governance dispute in Avondale.
Russell Hairston, who the chair introduced as the festival’s representative, told the committee the $100,000 is part of a three-year plan to reach sustainability and would fund a youth camp and festival programs that organizers say expand workforce and training opportunities for underrepresented Cincinnati neighborhoods. "The $100,000 gets us started through partnerships," Hairston said, adding the festival aims to reach $300,000 to be self-sustaining by year four.
Several Avondale residents and neighborhood leaders supported the funding for its youth and job-development components. Vice Mayor Kearney said the festival has brought nationally known filmmakers and proven youth programming to the city, and that participation by filmmakers such as Zoe Wesson has helped trainees consider careers in film.
But Ozi Davis, who identified himself as the founding executive director of the Avondale Development Corporation, asked council to suspend Avondale-related funding until the disconnect between the Avondale Development Corporation (ADC) and the Avondale Community Council (ACC) is resolved. "Any investment in Avondale needs to be suspended until that alignment is secured," Davis said, describing a recent vote of no confidence by the ACC in the ADC board.
Council members debated whether to delay the vote for one week to give the two parties time to meet. Some members, including Vice Mayor Kearney and Council President Johnson, urged prompt action to support youth programming; others said a brief hold could allow community concerns about ADC board selection and resident involvement to be aired and addressed. A motion to hold the item for one week failed, and the council then approved the $100,000 allocation on roll call.
The committee also recorded that some residents want greater transparency in ADC board selection and recommended administrative follow-up. The vote will move the funding into the special-events fund and organizers said the funds would be used to accelerate youth camp planning and festival operations.
The committee's action is procedural funding through the FY25 carryover process; the administration and council members noted that related community governance issues remain for local stakeholders and the council to address.
