Crowds were small but enthusiastic at Missouri Film Alliance of Springfield's second annual Show-Me Missouri International Film Fest that ended Sunday after a four-day run.
The 800-1,000 in attendance, however, was double the numbers from last year, said MFAS member Mark Biggs, one organizer of the budding festival that showcased more than 50 short, feature, animated and documentary films from around the world.

Missouri State University film student Ed Moore was happy about his award for "People in Motion," which he directed. That's not the best thing about festivals, though, said Moore: "The awards are a nice bonus, but the biggest thing is, it gets the film seen."

The festival's biggest audience was 125-150 at the Gillioz Theatre for Saturday night's soccer documentary, "Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos." Filmmaker Paul Crowder, whose wife is from Springfield, spoke afterward.

Filmmaker workshops were also hits, said Biggs.

"People had a good time, they learned something and enjoyed the experience of the filmmakers that were featured," he said.

Dru Carr of Montana, one of two featured filmmakers raised in Springfield, said the festival was a good experience. About 60 people watched "Libby, Montana," his documentary about people in a small town who get sick from asbestos poisoning. The film, which has been screened at many festivals, was also accepted by PBS to air as part of its Point of View series.

Carr said he's impressed with the effort to present a film festival in Springfield.

"It's great for me as a filmmaker. They are promoting good independent films. And there are very few venues," said Carr. "And I think it's great for Springfield."

It may take another year or two to educate the community about the festival so more people attend, Carr said.

"But I do think this could be a powerful event in this town. And I think it's only going to get bigger. I'm really excited about it," he said. "And I'm really proud to come home and see Springfield alive and well and supporting the arts."