Spring film festival canceled

For the first time in 18 years, there will be no film festival in Philadelphia this spring. Last year the festival took the name Cinefest, and this year its programmers are canceling it, citing money problems.

For the first time in 18 years, there will be no film festival in Philadelphia this spring. Last year the festival took the name Cinefest, and this year its programmers are canceling it, citing money problems. [audio:100128PCFILM.mp3]

The dramatic arc of the Philadelphia’s international film resembles the plot of a romantic comedy. After a contentious split, the festival became Cinefest in the Spring, and the Philadelphia Film Festival in the fall. Now that they are separated, problems are arising. There was a half-sized festival last fall, and no festival in the spring. Cinefest programmers say the economy is to blame, and they are planning a full festival for 2011.

The director of the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, Juliet Goodfriend, says the tumult behind the festivals should not affect their ability to lure filmmakers.

Goodfriend: There are more films available then any number of festivalss can show. It’s only the festival circuit that they get in front of viewers, and most filmmakers want their films shown in theaters. There will be plenty of films to program.

Goodfriend does worry that Philadelphia audiences cannot support two film festivals. The Cinefest programmers also put on th Gay and Lesbian festival in the summer, and they say it will go on.