Department of Tourism
State Aids Springfield's Efforts to Host Simpsons Movie Premiere

FRANKFORT, Ky. –  The Kentucky Department of Tourism is working to help the small Central Kentucky town of Springfield in its effort to host the world premiere of “The Simpsons Movie” later this month.

The tourism department’s web site has been outfitted with a link to the USA Today newspaper web site where the public can vote on which of 14 Springfields around the country should be the venue for the premiere of the 20th Century Fox movie based on the long-running animated series on the Fox TV Network.

Fans can vote for the Kentucky Springfield by opening the tourism internet site, www.kentuckytourism.com, and on the home page find a quick link to the USA Today site, www.usatoday.com/life. 

“We’re trying to make it as easy as possible for the fans to cast their vote for Springfield, Ky.,” said Kathy Yount, the tourism department’s director of creative services.
 
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 movie premiere. Fourteen towns have taken up the challenge.

Voters can view all the short films and vote online at the internet site, www.usatoday.com/life/movies/simpsons-contest/htm.  City leaders in Springfield, Ky. are urging Kentuckians to vote for their town, which they can do between July 2 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 donated his time to produce the Springfield short. Beau Haddock, an employee of the Kentucky Arts Council and an experienced musician and song writer, composed several songs for the short film.

Both Breeding and Haddock donated their time for the Springfield project. 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.

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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.