The 2009 Connecticut Film Festival came to a close June 7 in Danbury. Early economic returns are not in, but it appears the festival bettered last year”™s numbers and is on track for a repeat performance in 2010.
“It brought a lot of new people into the Danbury area,” said Lynn Mallery, hotel manager of the Danbury Holiday Inn, where the final mixer was held on the Saturday night. “It certainly exceeded our expectations for the event. The festival has done great things for Danbury.”Â
According to Wayne Shepperd the economic impact of the Film Festival is still in the process of being gauged, though he said the murmurs of a solid attendance have been heard throughout the city.
“The festival went great,” said Tom Carruthers, executive director and founder of the festival. “We had over 300 events over six day and nights with lots of major talent coming in. We had 1,240 films, 70 emerging musical artists, performances and keynote speakers.”
According to Carruthers, one of the new areas of the festival that has generated the greatest amount of buzz over the six day event was the interactive social media and gaming segment.
“It”™s all part of one big event,” he said, noting Connecticut has a large industry of social gaming, interactive and social media that the event was able to tap.
“Apparently there”™s a lot of buzz on the Internet on what we brought to the table,” said Carruthers.
Carruthers said it”™s important to introduce new aspects of the festival each year in order to keep it fresh and progressive.
“What I”™ve been hearing from people is that it was nicely attended, but not overwhelming,” said Wayne Shepperd, economic development director of the city of Danbury. “It was certainly much better than last year.”
Shepperd echoed the sentiment that if he were to measure this year”™s festival against last years the improvement would be huge.
Mallery said between 450 and 500 people attended the final event, mostly people involved with bringing the festival to fruition, and many of them stayed at the hotel and ate at downtown restaurants.
The numbers were significant for this time of year and especially in this current economy, said Mallery, adding, “I hope we can get some more of these kinds of events to come to Danbury.”
Shepperd said the difference was that Carruthers was forced to build the festival in Danbury within 90 days last year where as this year he was able to have the entire year.
“The numbers of everything were up: number of films, number of musical acts, number of events and number of attendees. And overall the quality of the event was that much better,” said Shepperd. “From our chairs here in the mayor”™s office we”™re certainly pleased.”
“All total, I”™d say it was about three times as many people as last year,” said Carruthers.
Carruthers said he plans to be in Danbury next year and hopes to yet again receive the city”™s blessing.
Shepperd said he and the mayor would be coming out in support of the festival returning in 2010.
“Our Common Council supported this financially, but I know the mayor was very supportive of the festival,” he said.
Shepperd said the Northwest Connecticut Convention and Visitor’s Bureau will crunch event numbers toward giving next year”™s festival market-ready data for promotions.
“I”™ve heard from five or six restaurant indirectly,” said Carruthers, “and they”™ve said their businesses were filled. I”™ve even heard some restaurants say that through the exposure from the festival last year they have been able to survive. That”™s part of why I do this, to find marketing solutions for good people and businesses.”
