What I Did To Build A Successful Film Festival #61 Allyson West

What makes someone take on the slow, exhausting work of building a film festival—and keep going long after the novelty wears off? In this episode, we sit down with the Cindependent Film Festival founder Allyson West to talk about the emotional drive behind turning a scrappy idea into a year-round indie film community in Cincinnati.We explore the less visible side of festival building: choosing care over clout, the weight of responsibility to artists, the burnout that comes with volunteer leadership, and the quiet wins that make it worth it—watching filmmakers feel seen, audiences grow, and connections turn into real momentum. It’s an honest look at the passion, patience, and conviction it takes to build something that lasts, without losing the soul that started it.