But no one knows better than festival officials that corporate sponsors can be fickle.

During the meeting's financial discussions, festival officials said that the battle itself cost some contributions from private and corporate donors.

The parade is expected to last three hours and according to festival officials, spectators will have plenty of elbow room along the streets.

That production will still open next month, festival officials said.

In Bayreuth, festival officials maintain a housing service but only make assignments to those who have received confirmation of ticket requests.

The festival officials allowed the film to be screened, but it was not allowed to compete for placement in the competition.

(The Fringe had nothing to do with his resignation, festival officials say.)

The shorts are among 73 selected for the festival from 4,327 submitted, festival officials said.

One festival official said Thursday, "We want to encourage new talent instead of, as in the past, relying on the old."

From the stage, festival officials repeatedly beseeched them to move.