How fortunate we are to have a truly amazing film festival in our Greater city.
My wife and I spent the last nine days in movie heaven taking in 18 movies, four gala parties and spending many hours in great discussions with knowledgeable fellow patrons at the 2016 edition of Cinéfest Sudbury.
The week before, we attended a gala presentation at TIFF in Toronto. The contrast between the two festivals is remarkable. Here in Sudbury, we don't have to search for parking or pay $20 when we finally find a spot.
All our movies are in one location, so if you want to see four movies in a day, it is physically possible to do so. Our lineups are short and comfortable, and here people are friendly and go out of their way to talk to those next in line.
Here we have gala parties in great venues following the movie, where discussions with the filmmakers or fellow audience members can take place over a glass of wine. This is truly the people's festival.
As an audience member, we sometimes take all of this for granted. As we sit in the theatre, we don't think of the months of preparation it takes by dedicated staff to make this event happen smoothly, comfortably and on time.
The selection of the movies, the discussion and negotiations with distributors, the planning of galas, venues, crowd control, the securing of grants and sponsorships to make this festival affordable for the viewer, the recruitment of volunteers, printing of program booklets, advertising and promotion and media relations, printing and selling of tickets, are all behind-the-scene workings of the film festival that need to be done.
It is a gigantic effort that is accomplished by a small, hard-working ,dedicated and professional staff. They, and their board of directors, need to be congratulated for these efforts. We, as a community, need to recognize this cultural jewel that exists in our greater city, and be thankful for the enrichment it brings to us.
Mark and Darielle Palumbo
Sudbury