A grass roots effort is in the works to bring a film festival to Winchester next year.

The Winchester-Clark County Film Society had its official ribbon-cutting in October and has since been hosting a variety of film showings to raise money to fund the proposed festival.

Besides bringing a film festival to town, the society also hopes to educate the community on cinema.

The whole project was inspired by two locals — Rick Baldwin and Kathy Lykins — with a desire to develop the film society. They have since partnered with the Winchester-Clark County Chamber of Commerce.

The thought of having a well-produced independent film festival in Winchester-Clark County is exciting.

Not only with the festival provide something unique for residents to look forward to, it could be a regional draw.

Such a festival will showcase local and regional talent in a way unlike anything that has ever been done locally.

Additionally, the festival would draw tourists from the area to see what will likely be interesting films produced right here in the Commonwealth.

Such festivals encourage the art of filmmaking in Kentucky, which is often overlooked when it comes to the quality and quantity of great filmmaking.

Perhaps the society will even encourage younger generations to take up filmmaking.

Overall, the project is a great example of how just a couple of people with common interests can be a catalyst for something much bigger.

Although the society is in its infancy and plans for the festival aren’t locked in, it is refreshing and encouraging to see local people with a passion to bring something bigger than themselves to fruition.

It will be great to look back in the coming year and see how far this group has come.