Duluth netted an estimated $1.7 million from Catalyst festival; more expected next year - Duluth News Tribune

Organizers say visitor spending was directed to several Duluth industries, such as hospitality, restaurant and retail — making it the best week ever for some businesses. And as Catalyst expands its educational programs, organizers say its impact will grow.

“Duluth and Minnesota (are) our successful homes for it — long-term,” said Philip Gilpin, executive director of Catalyst.

The festival moved to Duluth after several years of operating in Vermont. Unlike other content festivals, it invited people with unfinished work to attend — offering a place to network, collaborate and work on the pieces.

Boasting an attendance of 1,200 people, the festival determined that the visitors spent more than $1.14 million during their time in Duluth, making up a majority of the total $1.7 million spent.

Zeitgeist Arts in downtown saw its best week ever business-wise during the festival, according to executive director Tony Cuneo.

The downtown nonprofit drew more people than normal. “I think it was clear if you were hanging out at Zeitgeist that week,” he said.

Riki McManus, with the Upper Minnesota Film Office, helped bring the festival to Duluth. In addition to the immediate sales brought by the festival, she expects to see long-term effects as productions choose to film and create their programs here.

Duluth, she said, “could be a huge production hub in our part of the state right here. It could create a whole new industry.”

Katie Lindow (left) and Megan McGarvey are photographed on the red carpet during Sunday’s Catalyst Content Festival Red Carpet Awards Gala at Greysolon Plaza. The two produced “Outsourced: The New Wisconsin Idea,” a documentary examining cuts in fine arts programming at UW-Superior. (Steve Kuchera / skuchera@duluthnews.com)

New productions are already in the works. Gilpin and McManus both confirmed that a television show is considering shooting in Duluth next summer as a result of its participation in the festival.

“It's one thing to drop a couple million into our area for the festival. But you can (also gain) that with so many of the projects that have the potential of coming here," McManus said.

When a project decides to shoot its film or movie in a community, Gilpin and McManus said, it can expect to see locals landing jobs with the project and spending at businesses such as dry cleaners; hotels; contractors to build sets; paper printers for printing scripts; restaurants and bars for after parties and catering; clothing companies; electricians; lighting companies and more.

Next year, Catalyst expects productions to spend $250,000 in the Duluth-area as they choose to produce their films and shows here.

Cuneo said he was surprised by how quickly festival attendees decided that they wanted to make Duluth home to their projects. He heard people say the arts scene was vibrant and welcoming, and “those feelings were really leading them to consider creative projects in the region.”

The area will also see an investment increase, Gilpin said, because of a new educational endeavor Catalyst is launching: the Storieroad Institute.

Starting in March, the organization will hold professional development courses in Minnesota, New York and Los Angeles to train people interested in an entertainment career.

There isn’t a clear, direct career path for those interested in podcasting, film or television careers, Gilpin said. There’s often confusion around how to talk to executives and land jobs, especially when one isn’t living in Los Angeles.

The courses, he said, will teach people about entertainment financials, script writing, working with actors, developing pitch decks, shooting the pieces, post-production and more.

Its purpose, ultimately, is to connect its students and their projects with executives at the next festival.

“This is meant to open a creative pathway to anyone interested in being (in the industry),” Gilpin said.

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Duluth netted an estimated $1.7 million from Catalyst festival; more expected next year - Duluth News Tribune
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