Department of Tourism
Springfield, Ky. Is Striving to Go Hollywood

SPRINGFIELD, Ky. – This small Central Kentucky town is among 14 Springfields around the country vying to host the world premiere of “The Simpsons Movie” next month.

The movie, based on the long-running Fox TV Network animated series, is set in a fictional town of Springfield. To generate interest, the movie’s producers sponsored a contest challenging all of the nation’s Springfields to make a 3 to 5 minute film showing why each is similar to the cartoon town and deserves to be chosen as the venue for the premiere of the 20th Century Fox movie.

The selection will be made by the public, which can view the short films and vote online at the internet site, www.usatoday.com/life. City leaders in the Kentucky Springfield are urging Kentuckians to vote for their town, which they can do between June 28 and July 9.

Production of the Springfield, Ky. short film was led by filmmaker and Springfield native Michael Breeding, owner of Michael Breeding Media in Lexington. Breeding, who has directed film projects for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the City of Atlanta, Keeneland Race Course and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, donated his time to produce the Springfield short.

Laurie Smith, Springfield city clerk, said Breeding promised to contribute 100 hours to the project but in fact devoted 300 to 400 hours to the task.

A local committee led by Mayor John W. Cecconi formulated the story line for the five minute film and held auditions for actors, vocalists, a pianist and a church choir.

“The mayor knew what he was doing when he put this committee in a room together,” Smith said. “We have Simpson enthusiasts, writers, producers and actors. They have proven to be a great team in what we think will go down in our history books.”

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The Kentucky Department of Tourism, an agency of the Kentucky Commerce Cabinet, exists to promote The Commonwealth as a travel destination, generate revenue and create jobs for Kentucky’s economy.