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CC - CONSENT ITEM: Award of $1,000 Off-Cycle Special Events Grant and Designation of the Braham Entertainment’s “Micheaux Film Festival” as a City-Sponsored Event.
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Meeting Date: September 23, 2024
Contact Person/Dept: Edgar Varela / Office of Economic and Cultural Development
Phone Number: (310) 253-5752
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [X] No []
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (09/17/2024); Braham Entertainment (09/18/2024)
Department Approval: Jesse Mays, Assistant City Manager (09/05/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council award a $1,000 Off-Cycle Special Events Grant for in-kind staff time to Braham Entertainment and designate the Micheaux Film Festival as a City-Sponsored Event.
BACKGROUND
On June 10, 2024, the City Council awarded $147,075 in grants and designated 15 events as City-sponsored through Fiscal Year 2024/2025, as recommended by the Special Events Grant Program Ad Hoc Subcommittee. At that time, The Council also authorized up to $8,925 in contingency funding for future off-cycle event support.
DISCUSSION
On August 12, 2024, Braham Entertainment requested an off-cycle special event grant to promote their upcoming Micheaux Film Festival (“The Festival”), running from October 21, 2024 to October 27, 2024 at The Culver Theater.
Founded in 2018, The Festival serves as a dynamic showcase of cultural expression and honors Oscar Micheaux who was a visionary filmmaker that challenged Hollywood’s norms during the early 20th century. Micheaux used cinema to highlight the Black experience and empower underrepresented communities. Inspired by his groundbreaking work, The Festival was established as a beacon of creativity, innovation, diversity, and inclusion; honoring his spirit and impact to the film industry. Their mission is to showcase diverse voices and narratives, fostering dialogue and understanding through filmmaking.
The Festival has grown into one of the fastest-expanding international film festivals, welcoming over 15,000 guests and 1,000 filmmakers. The festival features filmmakers from diverse backgrounds to present a range of narratives-from thought-provoking dramas to captivating documentaries and comedies. Event partners and sponsors include organizations like Apple TV+, MGM/Amazon Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Roku, Braham Entertainment, and The Oprah Winfrey Network.
City Sponsorship
To be categorized as a “sponsored” event by the City, an event must meet the criteria set forth in the Culver City Municipal Code (CCMC) Section 17.330.040.B.7.b.ii and City Council Policy No. 2502 (Special Event Grant Program), confirming that the City is (a) participating in an official capacity in the planning, preparation or promotion of the event or activity; and (b) contributing 25% of the total estimated costs of the civic event or activity or at least $1,000, whichever is less. This contribution may take the form of funds, labor, staff time, materials, a coverage of fees, or any combination thereof.
The CCMC and Policy require conditions (a) and (b) to be satisfied. Additionally, City Council Policy requires that for an event to be considered a City-Sponsored event, the City Council is required to determine, by specific action, that the above criteria be met. This event meets the criteria for City Sponsorship because the City will participate in the promotion of the event, which will require at least $1,000 in in-kind staff time. As a requirement for event sponsorship, the organizers for the events must identify the City of Culver City as a sponsor of the event in all promotional materials.
Off-Cycle Event Support
One of the primary goals of the Special Event Grant Program (“Program”) is to consolidate requests, thereby limiting the number of off-cycle event support requests. However, the Program, City Council Policy No. 2502, provides for City Council consideration of off-cycle Special Event Grant Program/ City-Sponsorship requests.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The $1,000 off-cycle special event grant will be comprised of in-kind staff time (for marketing and coordination). Braham Entertainment will be responsible for all fees and permits related to banner installation.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION
That the City Council:
Award a $1,000 off-cycle, in-kind special events grant to Braham Entertainment and designate The Micheuax Film Festival as a City-Sponsored event.