Sherpherdstown, West Virginia (population: 1,794). This small community began hosting the American Conservation Film Festival in 2003. The festival represents a partnership between the US Fish & Wildlife Service’s National Conservation Training Center and Shepherd University. They immediately began attracting tourists from nearby Washington, DC, and Baltimore, Maryland. The festival has grown to the point that it now receives more than a hundred submissions each year. The ACFF board has become a quality arts organization focused on environmental education.

Ann Arbor, Michigan (population 113,934). Ann Arbor has a long history when it comes to independent film. The Ann Arbor Film Festival is the longest running independent and experimental film festival in North America. They exhibit over one hundred films each year (out of 2,500 submissions). The AAFF hosts numerous film-related events during the year.

Ashland, Oregon (population 20,255). Each year Ashland hosts a five day film festival, which attracts over 7,000 film lovers.

Beloit, Wisconsin (population 36,966; great Beloit, 91,000). For eight years Beloit has been the site of the Beloit International Film Festival. It now showcases 120 films representing filmmakers from 30 countries.

Cape May, New Jersey (year round population 3,607; Summertime 50,000). This New Jersey vacation town started a four-day film festival in 2001 drawing about 500 viewers. Now the festival draws in thousands annually.

Paducah, Kentucky (population 25,024) In August 2000, this small Western Kentucky town started an “Artist Relocation Program” by offering incentives for artists to relocate to its historical downtown and Lower Town areas. This effort became a national model for using support of the arts as a way to promote economic development. In 2004, the city began hosting the River’s Edge International Film Festival. The event has quickly become one of the top indie film festivals in the US.