Oxford Film Festival of Oxford has been awarded a $21,000 grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission.

This grant is a portion of the $1.61 million in grants the commission will award in 2015-2016 and will be used to help with operating funds. The grants are made possible by continued funding from the Mississippi State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.

“The creative economy has never been more vibrant than it is today in the communities across Mississippi,” said Dr. Tom Pearson, Executive Director at MAC. “This agency is honored to play a small role in assisting these organizations to continue their work of reinforcing the value of the arts and the role they play in creative place- making and economic development.”

The Oxford Film Festival will be held Feb. 15-19, 2017. Monthly screenings and workshops are also available and more information can be found at www.oxfordfilmfest.com. The festival is currently in the call for entries for films to compete in the 2017 festival and added three new categories this year: music documentaries, LGBTQ and new media.

“This is the first year we were eligible for an operating grant and with the support of the Mississippi Arts Commission, we are one step closer to our goal of continuing to increase the presence of the Oxford Film Festival year round,” Oxford Film Festival Executive Director Melanie Addington said. “With monthly programming, workshops and a new full time executive director, MAC’s support will help us to grow even bigger in 2017.”

The Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, serves the residents of the state by providing grants that support programs to enhance communities; assist artists and arts organizations; promote the arts in education and celebrate Mississippi’s cultural heritage.

Established in 1968, the Mississippi Arts Commission is funded by the Mississippi Legislature, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mississippi Endowment for the Arts at the Community Foundation of Greater Jackson and other private sources. The agency serves as an active supporter and promoter of arts in community life and in arts education.

For information from the Mississippi Arts Commission, contact Susan Liles at 601-359-6031 or sliles@arts.ms.gov.