An Expanded Philadelphia QFest to return in July, French Film Series Continues next month and Preview Screenings to be launched in April, 2010.
January 26, 2010
For Immediate Release
Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Cinema Alliance (PCA), the nonprofit presenting organization for Philadelphia CineFest, QFest and various film events presented throughout the year, announced today the cancellation of the 2010 edition of Philadelphia CineFest, originally scheduled for April 8-19.
PCA will instead concentrate on its other film activities as well as working on bringing back the festival in the spring of 2011.
"Reduced or eliminated state and city subsidies as well as cutbacks by foundations and corporate sponsors made the fiscal planning of the event too daunting. Despite the popular and critical success of last year’s spring festival, film festivals require funding beyond the box office. When we realized that corporate and government sponsorship funds were going to be significantly less than in previous years, we had no other option but to cancel this year and begin working on raising money for a spring film festival in 2011" said Development Director Thom Cardwell.
Ray Murray, Artistic Director of the Philadelphia Film Festival and CineFest for the past nine years and the GLBT festival for the past 16 years, said: "As difficult as it is to be forced to cancel a spring festival this year in this city, we know in our hearts it is the right decision despite our history of having successfully produced film festivals in Philadelphia since 1995."
"We look forward to expanding our festival in 2011 and attracting many thousands more to add to the 65,000 ticket holders who have participated in our 2009 festival. As the original organization responsible for bringing the beauty and depth of film to the masses in Philadelphia, we are confident in our ability to produce a movie festival in 2011 that honors this tradition," he said.
Murray continued: "Since our organization took over the management and programming of the festival from International House in 2001, we have expanded its community outreach and have seen great increases in attendance. Our structure - that of several festivals within a festival–was an instant popular success with Philadelphians and it received positive national press from The Wall Street Journal to indieWIRE.com and Moviemaker Magazine."
PCA will continue to present its monthly French film series next month, La Cinematheque, (launched in September, 2009), at the Prince Music Theater; produce the Philadelphia QFest (July 8-19, 2010); and re-launch Hollywood industry sneak preview screenings in April.
More information about PCA can be found at www.phillycinema.org.