The five-day Independent Television Festival is moving from Manchester, Vt. to Duluth. ITV plans to open an office in Duluth early next year and have year-round programming. The company estimates the festival could bring more than $1.5 million into the local economy.

The 14th annual festival is scheduled for Oct. 9-13. It showcases episodic television shows for TV executives, agents and producers from outlets like Netflix and Bravo, but is also open to the public. The goal is to discover new television programs created on independent budgets.

Links to various reports:

Minneapolis Star Tribune: “Duluth snags national TV festival — could it be the next Sundance?”

Business North: “Duluth selected as film festival site”

Minnesota Public Radio: “Duluth lands Independent Television Festival”

Fox 21: “Independent television festival finds new home in Duluth“