The Loft Cinema marquee, Aug. 27, 2020.
The Loft Cinema received an unexpected email from the NEA: the $30,000 grant they had been awarded for the 2025 Loft Film Fest was being rescinded. Ethan Cox, the Development Director for the Loft Cinema, explained that the reasoning was a change in presidential funding priorities.
"It was just kind of a form email, letting us know that the funding was no longer coming through. They said it was because the president’s priorities had changed."
The Loft Film Fest, set for November 5 through 13, has long relied on NEA grants—not just for the festival itself but also for its traveling series, which brings diverse, independent films to broader audiences across Arizona. While the loss of funding is disappointing, Cox says it won’t derail their plans.
"This grant did not make up a huge part of our overall annual budget, and already, since letting folks know what has happened, we've had many, many different individuals and companies step up and say they want to step in and help you out. Tucson is a great community, and we're just very lucky to live here."
This year’s festival might be bigger than ever, thanks to the Loft’s expanded campus, which is currently under construction, and the opportunity that space brings to show even more films. The organization remains committed to its mission and is also mindful of the broader impact these cuts are having on arts groups across the country.
"We here at the Loft, while it is not a significant portion of our annual budget, we really feel for those folks around the nation who have lost this funding, for whom it was really significant. A lot of these were organizations that were already in the middle of their programs are just about ready to get to launch the programs that were funded by the NEA, and to have the carpet pulled out from under them like this is just so disappointing."
The Loft says it won’t appeal the NEA’s decision, citing a desire to maintain its artistic integrity and independence. Despite the setback, they’re confident the show will go on—and that Tucson’s film lovers will keep the festival thriving.
The Loft Film Fest runs November 5 through 13. For more information or to support the festival, visit loftcinema.org.
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