Sponsorship

Special 2021 Sponsorship Notes

Because we are not having an in-person film festival this year, and because we know that businesses have been hit hard by COVID and the restrictions it has brought on, we are not actively seeking sponsorships this year.  But that doesn’t mean we’ll turn down your donations!  We still have expenses, for instance for promotion, prizes for our filmmakers, and graphic design (for the winner award certificates).   We are unable to provide the usual benefits for sponsors that we list below, but we will publicly acknowledge your support when we post our BWFF Films of the Week.

Why sponsor the Big Water Film Festival?

The Big Water Film Festival is a whole weekend of independent films from around the corner and around the world, combined with question-and-answer sessions with the filmmakers, and special features, based at the Bay Theater in downtown Ashland.

Over the last seven years, the Big Water Film Festival has developed a reputation for good films, a welcoming environment, and a lot of fun. Bay Theater’s state-of-the-art sound and projection systems and comfortable seating make viewing movies on the big screen a real joy.

The Festival will be accessible to both filmgoers who want to spend the whole weekend with us, and those who can take in only a film or two or three. Daily and weekend passes are available for the diehards, and tickets for individual events and film blocks are also available.

Sponsorships are very important to us. We run a tight ship and raise only the money we absolutely need to put on the weekend—most of which is spent right back into our community for such things as advertising, printing, and supplies. Still, ticket income only accounts for about half of our expenses, and we need to raise the balance through sponsorships. The Big Water Film Festival is a project of the Bay Area Film Society, Inc, a 501(c)(3) organization.

How to become a sponsor?

Your sponsorship can be sent to BWFF at P.O Box 11, Ashland WI 54806. If you have any questions about the Film Festival or about sponsorship, feel free to contact us. We’d love to have you as a new sponsor, and we’d love to see you at the movies!

Levels

Special Effects
$150-$299 | Sponsors will receive two passes to the film blocks of their choice, and will be listed in our Program, on our website, and on-screen between film blocks.

Cinematographer
$300-$499 | Sponsors will receive two day passes for the day of their choice, as well as the acknowledgements listed for Special Effects, but featured more prominently.

Director
$500-$999 | Sponsors will receive all of the benefits listed for the Cinematographer level, but instead of two day passes will receive two weekend passes, and will receive more prominent recognition.

Producer
$1,000 and up | Sponsors will receive all of the benefits listed for the Director level, but will receive feature placement in the program and website, and can submit a personalized slide to show on-screen between film blocks.