REDRUTH has launched an audacious bid to host this year's Cornwall Film Festival.
The annual event is prestigious, attracting visitors from Cornwall and further afield.
Approximately 30 per cent of attendees travel to the host town from outside Cornwall, with a further five per cent coming from overseas.
If selected, Redruth would benefit from publicity and profile, through increased footfall, and a financial boost to its economy.
Town councillor Ian Thomas, who is spearheading Redruth's bid with town development manager Lee Dunkley, said: "During my term of office as town mayor and in the latter months of 2010 and early months of 2011, I had initial discussions with the then director of the CFF about the possibility of Redruth hosting the festival in 2011.
"Despite the determined efforts of all concerned our ambitions were not fulfilled due to technical and time scale issues surrounding the major refurbishment of the Regal theatre."
The Cornwall Film Festival moved from Falmouth to Newquay in 2011 and has been there ever since.
It is scheduled to be held in Newquay again this year, but the final decision will not be made until April 24.
A financial package is needed to attract the festival to Redruth, and behind the scenes Mr Thomas, Mr Dunkley and others have been meeting potential partners.
The town council is willing to donate £2,000 and the Penventon Hotel has agreed in principal to donating a package of accommodation and hospitality worth more than £5,000.
Last year's Cornwall Film Festival in Newquay attracted 1,200 people over a three-day weekend in November.
The organisers estimate that on average attendees spent £65 each.
Mr Thomas said: "A combined total investment of, say, £10,000 from the partnering arrangement could see a return of somewhere in the region of £90,000 and more, being added to both the local day time and night time economies.
"This clearly represents staggering value for money and does not even begin to take into account the non-direct and non-financial benefits to the town."
Should Redruth not be chosen when the decision is taken later this month, civic leaders are adamant that the town will try again next year.
