The Festival Abides,

About the event

This project is personal. The Big Lebowski was one of my dad’s favorite movies, and it became part of the fabric of our family life. After he passed away, I wanted to find a way to honor his memory alive through laughter, creativity, and community. That’s how The Festival Abides was born — a two-day celebration that brings people together through film, fun, and shared experiences.

On Day 1, we’re having a dog show called “Stray Dogs & Nihilists,” along with family-friendly activities like kids’ craft stations (“Design Your Own Rug”), live music, food trucks, and space for local vendors. Pets are welcome, making it a playful and community-oriented gathering.

On Day 2, we move to the bowling alley for a costume contest, bowling tournaments, and a screening of The Big Lebowski. It’s a mix of humor, nostalgia, and genuine community building.

Your support makes this possible. Donations help cover the basics: permits, insurance, venue rentals, kids’ activities, and making sure the festival stays affordable and accessible. With your help, I can keep ticket prices low so families, fans, and neighbors can all join in.

This isn’t just an event. It’s a tribute to my dad, a way to celebrate the film that connected us, and a chance to bring people together across generations for two days of laughter, creativity, and connection.

As a fiscally sponsored project of Creative Visions Foundation (501c3), all donations are tax-deductible. Every contribution, large or small, helps the festival abide.

This first year in Los Angeles will set the foundation, but it doesn’t end here. The Festival Abides will expand to Cleveland, my hometown, and to Orlando, a city that shaped my path in film and entertainment. With your support, this tribute will grow into a community experience that carries my dad’s memory forward while building lasting connections in multiple cities.

If you’ve ever laughed at The Big Lebowski, loved a dog, bowled a game with friends, or simply wanted to be part of something that brings people together, I invite you to support this festival. Help me carry my dad’s memory forward, and help create a space where the community can come together to laugh, celebrate, and abide.

Why should you sponsor?

Sponsoring The Festival Abides is more than putting a logo on a flyer — it’s about connecting your brand to a cultural event that blends humor, nostalgia, and community in a way nothing else does.

This is a first-of-its-kind festival in Los Angeles, inspired by The Big Lebowski, a film that has built decades of loyal fans across generations. The event is designed to bring together 250+ attendees on Day 1 for a dog show, family activities, live entertainment, and local food — and then shift into bowling, costumes, and a movie screening on Day 2. It’s fun, quirky, and authentic — the kind of event people remember and talk about.

As a sponsor, you’ll gain:

• Brand visibility across marketing materials, social media, and press outreach.

• Direct engagement with a diverse audience of families, film lovers, pet owners, and community members.

• Positive brand association with an event that’s creative, local, and meaningful — built in memory of my dad and designed to bring people together.

By supporting this festival, you’re not just funding a weekend — you’re helping to create a new community tradition with the potential to expand to other cities like Cleveland and Orlando. Sponsors get in at the ground floor of something that will grow and return year after year.

Alicia Stahley

My name is Alicia Stahley, and I’m the creator and director of The Festival Abides. I hold a Bachelor’s in Film and a Master’s in Entertainment Business from Full Sail University, and I work professionally in the Los Angeles film industry as a Script Supervisor. I’ve built my career around storytelling, production, and attention to detail, and now I’m bringing those skills to launch my own festival.

 

This project is personal. The Big Lebowski was one of my dad’s favorite films, and after losing him, I wanted to honor his memory in a way that brought people together. The festival is designed not just for fans of the movie but for families, dog lovers, and community members who want a space to laugh, celebrate, and share an experience.

 

I’ve poured myself into every detail — from creating the sponsor packages, to designing original artwork, to securing venues and building community partnerships. The Festival Abides isn’t a generic event — it’s a labor of love, built from scratch by one person with a clear vision and determination to make it succeed.

 

Supporting me means supporting an independent creator who is committed to producing something authentic, heartfelt, and community-driven.

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