Downtown Savannah businesses react to SCAD Film Festival’s economic impact

by Julianne Sheehan

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - Local businesses reacted to the economic impact of the SCAD Film Festival over the past week.

The festival brings tens of thousands of visitors to Savannah each year. Tourism is one of the largest drivers of the economy in Savannah, generating more than $4 billion in revenue in 2024.

Restaurants report heavy foot traffic

Toren Anderson works with Rhino Hospitality Group, which represents a dozen local businesses, including Chive Sea Bar, Sunday Sunday and Flying Monk Noodle Bar.

“It’s just been a real boost for us, you know, just so much fun,” Anderson said.

The group said many people stop by to buy something and then go to find a spot at the red carpet.

“We’ve seen great business, we love when the SCAD Film Festival comes to town,” Anderson said. “When in a market like this, can you literally grab dinner and then go stand and watch Keanu Reeves on the red carpet? It’s been pretty amazing.”

The group can’t quantify the revenue brought in yet. Anderson said the heavy foot traffic is felt yearly.

Anderson said the group’s new hotel, The Keystone, was full throughout the week.

Impact reaches downtown streets

The Savannah Downtown Business Association Executive Director Mia Mance said the film festival is “economic development in action.” The impact reaches restaurants, retail, and other businesses on the main streets and side streets of downtown Savannah.

Mance wrote Sunday: “SCAD intentionally places downtown Savannah at the center of this experience, connecting arts, education and tourism with direct economic opportunities for our business community.”

Leopold’s Ice Cream is located across from the red carpet. SCAD Savannah Film Festival honoree Helen Mirren said she saw the shop during the festival.

“There’s my friend’s ice cream shop, Leopold. Stratton Leopold, he worked with my husband on a movie, I must pop over there and see if he’s there,” Mirren said.

“That’s the imprint of the city, and restaurants are as much of an imprint of the city and hospitality as anything you can imagine,” Anderson said.

What’s next for tourism

With the red carpet rolled up, Anderson said the lingering feeling is gratitude.

“We are really grateful for the tourism industry here, we’re grateful for the people that come and support local, and we love our Savannah crowd that, you know, has kept us going all these years. Mighty, mighty grateful,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the next tourism boom will be the holiday season, followed by St. Patrick’s Day in the spring.