Blink your eyes and before you know it the holiday season will be upon us. But we can’t lose sight of what this time of year means and how we should and need to respond accordingly. There are myriad ways to be true to the spirit of the season by helping others–both those we know as well as people we have never met.
So in the midst of crafting shopping lists for our family and friends, it behooves us to remember that so many are in need of the basic necessities such as food and clothing.
With that in mind, we pass on a reminder from the Association of Independent Commercial Producers’ (AICP) West board about the second annual #AICPgives, a Food & Goods Drive to benefit local non-profit organization Gobble Gobble Give (http://gobblegobblegive.org) which has served thousands of needy families and individuals over the last 14 years.
Last year, with the AICP’s help, Gobble, Gobble Give provided care packages and meals to over 3,000 people in Los Angeles.
AICP member companies and all industry partners and affiliates are encouraged to collect donations during November in anticipation of Gobble Gobble Give’s Thanksgiving Day distribution.
Quixote is coordinating pick-up and delivery of donation boxes to participating member companies.
Members may also drop-off donations at any Quixote location. See complete details here: http://www.quixote.com/AICPGives/
Items may include: canned goods, boxed food (that can be consumed without cooking), new or used clothing items in good condition (socks, sweaters, beanies and more). Collecting unopened bars of soap and shampoo bottles, toothbrush and toothpaste kits, is a great way to distribute all of those hotel amenities picked up on shoots.
#AICPgives is a great opportunity for the AICP West chapter members and friends to give back to their community. With #AICPgives the industry can mobilize its numbers and the generosity of staff and crews to give to many of those who could use a little help this Thanksgiving holiday.
Help spread the word: Invite people to participate through the following Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/553968994619760/
Utah Leaders and Locals Rally To Keep Sundance Film Festival In The State
With the 2025 Sundance Film Festival underway, Utah leaders, locals and longtime attendees are making a final push — one that could include paying millions of dollars — to keep the world-renowned film festival as its directors consider uprooting.
Thousands of festivalgoers affixed bright yellow stickers to their winter coats that read "Keep Sundance in Utah" in a last-ditch effort to convince festival leadership and state officials to keep it in Park City, its home of 41 years.
Gov. Spencer Cox said previously that Utah would not throw as much money at the festival as other states hoping to lure it away. Now his office is urging the Legislature to carve out $3 million for Sundance in the state budget, weeks before the independent film festival is expected to pick a home for the next decade.
It could retain a small presence in picturesque Park City and center itself in nearby Salt Lake City, or move to another finalist — Cincinnati, Ohio, or Boulder, Colorado — beginning in 2027.
"Sundance is Utah, and Utah is Sundance. You can't really separate those two," Cox said. "This is your home, and we desperately hope it will be your home forever."
Last year's festival generated about $132 million for the state of Utah, according to Sundance's 2024 economic impact report.
Festival Director Eugene Hernandez told reporters last week that they had not made a final decision. An announcement is expected this year by early spring.
Colorado is trying to further sweeten its offer. The state is considering legislation giving up to $34 million in tax incentives to film festivals like Sundance through 2036 — on top of the $1.5 million in funds already approved to lure the Utah festival to its neighboring... Read More