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What's the benefit of film festivals in Las Vegas?
FILM FESTIVALS ARE a good time; every movie buff knows that. Between dozens of screenings of new and unknown movies, lots of parties and mixers and networking opportunities, and workshops/learning experiences for attendees, Festivals also serve a serious economic purpose in the community! Like most "special events," film festivals draw attendees and many may be first time visitors. With the specific nature of a film festival, a good portion of those attending may be folks who would not otherwise come to Las Vegas. As we all know, in most cases, once people have experienced this amazing place firsthand—in the flesh, so to speak—they'll be back, and that's what we want, time and time again. They'll tell their friends and family and business associates about the experience, helping to further spread the viral marketing. More room nights! More tourists! More diversity in what Las Vegas has to offer visitors! All of this valuable, with a domino effect of spreading the cachet of Las Vegas by word of mouth.
 
 Film Festivals also serve to enrich the cultural quality of our community. Right now, we have independent films at CineVegas, special focus films at the Jewish Film Festival, Sci-Fi and Fantasy in another, Native American arts and entertainment in yet another. At CCSN, there is an entire "Underground Vegas Short Film Festival" going on regularly. At UNLV, they hold a 48-Hour Film Festival and a Spring Flicks Shorts event. Another super quickie "film festival" took place some months back with the "48 Hour Film Project," bringing Las Vegas into the circuit of a multi-state film competition that continues to grow. Specialty film festivals that address specific genres such as westerns, motorcycle flicks, film noir and other niche movies, have been taking a look at putting events in Las Vegas.
What does this mean to each of us? More revenues flowing into the community from more NEW sources, and that helps everyone, from the cab drivers to the fast food restaurants, from the dry cleaners to the pharmacies, from the spas to the car rental businesses, and the list goes on and on.
Think of this the next time you hear about a film festival taking place in Las Vegas. Even if you've never attended such an event, give a cheer that it's helping enhance our credibility as a film-friendly city, developing our ties with a vibrant and exciting industry that can infuse new people, new money and new visibility into all things Las Vegas.
And, if you like movies, please try a film festival on for size. Cram in seeing as many films as you can, and know that you're getting ahead of the general public that hasn't had a chance to see most of them on the big screen yet. You never know when you might have the chance to see the next "sleeper" before it breaks loose into box office stardom. Perhaps you'll see some celebrities, attend a few exciting parties, rub elbows with people you'd never meet otherwise…who knows? You'll only know if you give it a shot. Make that shot a closeup… 
Jeanne D. Corcoran
Production Manager
Press / Publicity, PR
Nevada Film Office
555 E. Washington Ave., Ste. 5400
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Toll-Free: (877) NEV-FILM (877-638-3456)
Website: www.nevadafilm.com
E-Mail: jdcorcor@bizopp.state.nv.us
Direct line: (702) 486-2713
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