It's a big year for Cinéfest as the film festival celebrates 30 years as one of the hottest events in Sudbury and one of the biggest festivals in the country.
Although it may be hard to believe, the Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival is ranked among Canada’s top five film festivals, in a northern town known for its mining andgrew from a humble weekend event to a shining star on the festival circuit.
Tammy Frick has been with festival for more than two decades and now serves as Executive Director. She's happy with its growth and the respect it gets on the film festival circuit.
"To put it in context, there are over 240 film festivals in Ontario alone. To be recognized nationally as one of your top five, it's quite a good spot to be in." said Frick.
And it's a spot that today allows Cinéfest to draw in 140 films from around the world and an audience of more than 35,000 over nine full days each year.
"This hungry audience, they just want more. Film distributors see that, producers see that, and they want their films here." said Frick.
But what makes it work?
How does a film festival of this calibre spring up in Sudbury, Ontario of all places?
Cam Haynes is the founding director of Cinéfest and even from its early days, he was thinking big.
"Expand those horizons so the city gets an opportunity to see more of what film can do. So, we're looking at film production, we're looking at film education." said Haynes.
Two dreams that have largely come true.
Today, the region has a bustling movie-making business with three post-secondary programs to support it. Something that might never have been had Cinéfest not opened the door and turned on the projector.
And supporting northern talent has always been a big part of the festival’s mandate.
Over the years, it's given a big screen and a big opportunity to hundreds of budding filmmakers. Like me with the annual Best in Shorts competition.
CTV has been right there through it all as the title sponsor of both the Best in Shorts competition and the festival itself, handing out more than $100,000 to filmmakers from the north.
Marrett McCulloch is the sales and marketing manager for CTV Northern Ontario.
"I mean, we're a perfect fit. You want to grow the local talent, and there's a lot to be had in Sudbury. So, our money's going that way, so they can invest in their film and their projects and have much success." said McCulloch.
Today Cinéfest takes a lot of pride in its legacy of helping a booming film industry takes shape.
"Now we not only have a chance to screen amazing Canadian films, but a lot of them were shot right here on our doorstep." said Frick.
And even though it's grown from humble beginnings into a world-class film festival, Cinéfest remains true to its roots and its desire to offer something for everyone.
"We call it the people's festival. No matter what ethnicity you are, what your background is, what your love of a particular genre is like, it's a window to the world." said Frick.
And at only 30 years old, it would appear Cinéfest still has a long life ahead of it.
