Ep. 75 — Cynthia Tait and the Loveland Shorts Film Festival
We start this week with news from around Clermont County, including more than $2.28 million in federal funding for local housing, infrastructure, and community-service projects. We also cover Tate Township’s proposed zoning rewrite, opposition to Milford’s Flock license-plate cameras, and a major renovation proposal for Grant Career Center.
The news section concludes with an update on New Richmond Schools, including a larger-than-projected general fund deficit, lower property-tax collections, utility expenses, tax increment financing revenue, and a new electronic parking-pass system.
Interview — Cynthia Tait
Cynthia Tait joins the show to talk about the Loveland Shorts Film Festival, independent filmmaking, and the enduring experience of watching a movie inside a theater.
Now entering its third year, the festival was started in 2024 by Gary Giver and Dan Peterson. Cynthia explains how the event grew from their shared love of short films into an international festival supported by filmmakers, local businesses, the City of Loveland, and the surrounding arts community.
The festival accepts films lasting 20 minutes or less, ranging from one-minute animated pieces to longer narrative films. Its lineup includes comedy, romance, science fiction, horror, animation, documentaries, family-friendly selections, and work from first-time filmmakers.
Cynthia takes us behind the scenes of the selection process. Films are submitted through FilmFreeway, reviewed by volunteer screeners, and evaluated for storytelling, acting, directing, sound, cinematography, and overall impact. Festival nominees are then considered by judges with professional experience in filmmaking and film education.
We also discuss what attendees can expect during festival weekend, including multiple screening blocks, workshops, morning coffee hours, filmmaker conversations, after-parties, and a family-friendly film program. Cynthia also introduces the Loveland Shorts Film Club, a free year-round community for people interested in movie trivia, theater outings, drive-ins, and other film-related activities.
The conversation eventually turns into a celebration of movies themselves. Cynthia shares memories of seeing Mary Poppins as a child, visiting dollar theaters and drive-ins, and building a lifelong appreciation for film. We talk about Star Wars, The Sound of Music, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, James Bond, Monty Python, The Birdcage, subtitles, library movie collections, and the charm of watching a story unfold in a historic theater.
And, despite Patrick’s repeated objections, the Loveland Shorts Film Festival still does not serve popcorn.
Links from this episode
News
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We start this week with news from around Clermont County, including more than $2.28 million in federal funding for local housing, infrastructure, and community-service projects. We also cover Tate Township’s proposed zoning rewrite, opposition to Milford’s Flock license-plate cameras, and a major renovation proposal for Grant Career Center.
The news section concludes with an update on New Richmond Schools, including a larger-than-projected general fund deficit, lower property-tax collections, utility expenses, tax increment financing revenue, and a new electronic parking-pass system.
Interview — Cynthia Tait
Cynthia Tait joins the show to talk about the Loveland Shorts Film Festival, independent filmmaking, and the enduring experience of watching a movie inside a theater.
Now entering its third year, the festival was started in 2024 by Gary Giver and Dan Peterson. Cynthia explains how the event grew from their shared love of short films into an international festival supported by filmmakers, local businesses, the City of Loveland, and the surrounding arts community.
The festival accepts films lasting 20 minutes or less, ranging from one-minute animated pieces to longer narrative films. Its lineup includes comedy, romance, science fiction, horror, animation, documentaries, family-friendly selections, and work from first-time filmmakers.
Cynthia takes us behind the scenes of the selection process. Films are submitted through FilmFreeway, reviewed by volunteer screeners, and evaluated for storytelling, acting, directing, sound, cinematography, and overall impact. Festival nominees are then considered by judges with professional experience in filmmaking and film education.
We also discuss what attendees can expect during festival weekend, including multiple screening blocks, workshops, morning coffee hours, filmmaker conversations, after-parties, and a family-friendly film program. Cynthia also introduces the Loveland Shorts Film Club, a free year-round community for people interested in movie trivia, theater outings, drive-ins, and other film-related activities.
The conversation eventually turns into a celebration of movies themselves. Cynthia shares memories of seeing Mary Poppins as a child, visiting dollar theaters and drive-ins, and building a lifelong appreciation for film. We talk about Star Wars, The Sound of Music, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, James Bond, Monty Python, The Birdcage, subtitles, library movie collections, and the charm of watching a story unfold in a historic theater.
And, despite Patrick’s repeated objections, the Loveland Shorts Film Festival still does not serve popcorn.
Links from this episode
- Loveland Shorts Film Festival
- 2026 Festival Schedule
- Festival Tickets
- 2026 Featured Films
- Information for Filmmakers
News
- Clermont County commissioners approve more than $2.28 million in federal funding for 22 housing, infrastructure, and community-service projects
- Funding will support affordable housing, first-time homebuyer assistance, home repairs, sidewalks, road improvements, riverfront parking, senior services, food assistance, and workforce development
- Tate Township releases a proposed rewrite of its zoning resolution for public review
- The proposed zoning code includes new standards for accessory dwelling units, short-term rentals, data centers, solar developments, signs, lighting, parking, and property maintenance
- Cryptocurrency mining would be prohibited as a primary use under the proposed Tate Township regulations
- Milford residents protest the city’s use of Flock license-plate recognition cameras
- Protesters raise privacy concerns while Milford police describe the cameras as tools for criminal investigations and wanted-vehicle alerts
- Grant Career Center proposes a $59 million renovation and expansion of its Bethel campus
- The November ballot request includes a 1.15-mill bond issue and a 0.84-mill permanent improvement levy
- Grant Career Center officials say enrollment has grown beyond the capacity of the building, which originally opened in 1976
- New Richmond Schools ends the fiscal year with an approximately $1.8 million general fund deficit
- Lower property-tax collections, slightly lower state funding, and higher winter utility costs contributed to the district’s financial results
- The district is preparing an electronic parking-pass application to reduce paperwork and improve student-fee collection
- Local candidates and organizations with levies on the November ballot are invited to contact the show for an interview
- Hike with Clermont County Park District staff at Shor Park
- Union Township Farmers Market
- Union Township Summer Concert featuring Fourth Day Echo
- Music Under the Moon featuring Ralph and the Rhythm Hounds
- Cincinnati Nature Center Summer Bird Walk
- Community CPR and AED Class
- Cincinnati Nature Center Summer Native Plant Sale
- Trail Yoga at Cincinnati Nature Center
- Foraged Ice Cream Foray: Sassafras
- Clermont County Fair
- New Richmond Farmers Market
- Concert in the Park featuring Astrovan
- Concert in the Park featuring Jeff Henry and the Necessary Evils
- DIY Jewelweed Salve
- Ralph Shepherd Concert Series featuring the Ohio Military Band
- Loveland Shorts Film Festival
- Sense of Nature: Hike and Make Your Own Incense
- Yoga in the Park
- Milford Farmers Market
Follow Let’s Talk Clermont on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up for the Thursday newsletter.
If the show brings you value, consider supporting us through your time, talent, or treasure. Visit Let’s Talk Clermont online to subscribe, donate, share a boots-on-the-ground report, or contact the show.
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If the show brings you value, consider supporting us!
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