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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 ...
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