ST. LOUIS — Cinema St. Louis announced on Monday that funding for the 2025 international film festival has been rescinded, citing NEA grant cuts and “realignment of priorities” under the Trump administration.
According to Cinema St. Louis, the National Endowment for the Arts withdrew their grant funding for the film festival, but CSL said they will still plan to host the 2025 film festival thanks to “unwavering support” from the community.
Cinema St. Louis is one of many arts organizations across the country that has recently experienced public funding being rescinded.
“While we respect that their values may have changed, ours have not,” said Bree Maniscalco, Executive Director of CSL, in a news release. “This moment is not about loss. It’s about resolve and doubling down on what matters.
Cinema St. Louis, a nonprofit arts organization, operates the Hi-Pointe Theatre and produces the annual St. Louis International Film Festival.