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Avondale Film Camp and Festival described as neighborhood economic and workforce strategy
Summary
Presenters for the Avondale Film Camp and Festival told the council the program provides free film training for local residents, partners with regional universities and aims to become financially sustainable by year four with a $300,000 three‑year plan; council members signaled interest in city partnership.
Russ Harrison, introduced as director of the Avondale Development Corporation, and Russell Hairston of Capitol Heights described the Avondale Film Camp and Festival as a place‑based economic development initiative that trains local youth and adults in filmmaking, hires local residents to support events and draws regional visitors.
Hairston said the camp provides studio equipment and hands‑on training in directing, cinematography and editing, and that attendance at the camp has increased year over year (he said attendance rose 45% and that the most recent camp had 93 participants). The festival runs a pay‑what‑you‑can model for residents and charges tiered tickets for outside visitors; the presenters said this combination helps keep programs affordable while generating some revenue.
Financing and sustainability: Presenters described a three‑year fundraising plan of about $300,000 intended to move the program to sustainability by year four. They cited partnerships with the University of Cincinnati, Xavier University, Cincinnati State and Northern Kentucky University for workshops and with local media partners for equipment and mentoring opportunities.
Council members praised the youth engagement and workforce pathways the program creates; Scottie Johnson encouraged the city to become a partner to help the festival reach its sustainability goals. The committee filed the presentation for the public record and discussed follow‑up engagement with the presenters.
Provenance: Presentation opened by Chair Kearney and covered primarily by Russ Harrison and Russell Hairston during the Avondale segment of the meeting.
