The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce made it known Wednesday that they are in full support of the new Edmonds International Film Festival, by becoming the top-level and exclusive Presenting Sponsor of 2010 for the October event. The partnership was announced at Wednesday at a press conference at Edmonds’ Best Western Harbor Inn. The new name for the event is now officially The 2010 Edmonds International Film Festival Presented by The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce.

Presenting sponsorship brings many benefits to The Chamber, including worldwide logo exposure and recognition before during and after the event, for a full year though print, web, and in-event signage. That signage includes a highly visible logo on the sponsor backdrop behind the red carpet that will extend from The Edmonds Theater into Main Street during the film festival. In addition, all other signage, including on-screen advertising and other event banners, will feature the orange and blue Chamber logo.

“The Chamber is excited to welcome this terrific addition to our city,” said Jim Hills, President of the Greater Edmonds Chamber of Commerce. “The businesses of Edmonds are a strong component of what makes Edmonds a great place to live, work and play. It just makes sense that the business community would embrace the Edmonds International Film Festival as another partner in making Edmonds better for residents and visitors.”

“The Edmonds International Film Festival is pleased beyond words to welcome the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce to our growing list of sponsors,” said Festival Director Trevor Greenfield. “It is a great honor to have the Chamber showing its support of our film festival in such a wonderful way, and we look forward to working with them and bringing their members many returns in the years to come.”

Sponsorship Director Fred Greenfield adds, “The backbone of any community enriching cultural event is the support by groups that see the benefit of it and invest in the future. Culture and Commerce can walk hand in hand, in fact they make a perfect couple.”

The event is already finding support from many sponsors, including Executive Level Sponsors Snap Fitness 24/7 Edmonds and Best Western Edmonds Harbor Inn, Exclusive Sponsors (one in each business category) Garden Gear, Ron and Michelle Clyborne Windermere Real Estate/North, Edmonds Woodway Mortgage and Sam’s Press of Everett. My Edmonds News signed on last week as the film festival’s first media sponsor.

“Film tourism is recognized as a growing segment of the tourism industry,” said Stephen Clifton, Director of Economic Development for the City of Edmonds, and a key advisor for the Edmonds International Film Festival. “Many studies have shown that communities hosting film festivals benefit economically, and we look forward to the Edmonds International Film Festival attracting more visitors to the city of Edmonds.”

From the beginning, the vision of Jacques Mayo, long time leasee and eventual owner of his cherished Edmonds Theater (once called The Princess), was to see events like The Edmonds International Film Festival “bridging the gap” between the beautiful waterfront, charming downtown and urban east side of Edmonds, Greenfield said. Today, Jon and Michelle Mayo, Jacques’ children, carry on this vision and are also giving guidance, support and advice on many levels, he added.

The 2010 Edmonds International Film Festival Presented by The Edmonds Chamber of Commerce will take place Oct. 20-24 at The Edmonds Theater and other locations. More information, program schedules, and tickets will be available at www.edmondsfilmfestival.com.