Submitted By: Jamie Antonetti
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Presentation By: Cultural Arts Coordinator, Jamie Antonetti
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Department: Growth Management
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Public Education Foundation of Marion County Grant Application
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BACKGROUND:
The Public Education Foundation of Marion County presents the Ocala Film Derby for a fourth year. The Ocala Film Derby (OFD) is dedicated to fostering creativity, collaboration, and artistic expression through the art of film-making. This event brings together teachers, mentors, producers, organizers, and sponsors in a five-day (September 16-27) immersion of education and celebration. The OFD creates a platform that empowers and inspires educators, mentors, and students alike to explore the limitless possibilities of film-making. Through hands-on workshops and interaction with industry professionals at all levels, OFD strives to create a supportive and innovative environment that nurtures artistic growth, storytelling, and technical proficiency. All workshops lead to the main event, a fast paced, real world, student film making competition. Student teams will see their films on the big screen, win big awards, and could be scholarship recipients.
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS:
Ocala Cultural Arts received the OMAC grant application for the Ocala Film Derby requesting $2,500 on August 20, 2026. The $2,500 is for funding equipment for the expanded program now offered to middle school students and the new South Marion High School. This project does have other additional funding sources. This event can proceed with partial funding. The Public Education Foundation of Marion County is a registered 501(c)3 organization and provided proof of status. The organization received an OMAC grant of $3,500 on August 20, 2025. The 2025 Ocala Film Derby took place from September 24 to 28, 2025 with the screening on the 28 at the Marion Theatre. Organization, participants, and events are in Marion County. Funding will be used for allowable expenditures within grant requirements.
The OMAC grant fund has $800 available to allocate in the current fiscal year. An additional $8,000 will become available with the start of the new fiscal year on October 1, 2026. Staff recommends approval of the request by distributing the awarded funds across both fiscal periods and authorizing the remaining grant amount of $1,700. A similar approach was utilized in 2024 for the Strategic Community Alliance, Inc. in support of India Fest. In that case, OMAC awarded $1,400 in fiscal year 2024 and the remaining $600 in fiscal year 2025, fulfilling the total requested amount of $2,000.
ALTERNATIVE:
• Approve with Changes
• Table
• Deny