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Shorter One Spark Festival Could Help Keep Focus On Creators

8W Group Photography

Jacksonville’s One Spark crowdfunding festival is scaling back from a week-long event to possibly one day in April.

One Spark spokesman Michael Munz says the atmosphere will still be festive.

“We are looking at how we can maintain that in a full day of activities for people,” he says.

The festival’s big winner last year was the nonprofit Yoga 4 Change.

Executive Director Kathryn Thomas says shortening the festival from five days will help attendees focus more on creators.

“Now, they’re not being forced to vote the day of the festival, but they’re able to see that their impact is a lot stronger because the festival has been shortened” she says.

One Spark, under the newly created One Spark Ventures, will also let creators submit ideas year-round.  

Festival details will be announced next week.

Beatrice Sanchez is a senior at the University of North Florida. She will graduate this year with a bachelor's degree in communication with a concentration on media production. Originally from Manila, Philippines, she moved to Jacksonville four years ago to finish school. She spends most of her time at school or work, and if she ever does get free time, she enjoys watching re-runs of "Grey's Anatomy" or taking pictures of surfers out at the beach.
Farryn James is a senior at the University of North Florida majoring in communications with a concentration in multimedia journalism. Born and raised in Jacksonville, Farryn returned to school after five years working in the Jacksonville Public Library system.