ABOUT US

Since its inception in 1989, Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival continues to seek out and showcase high-calibre film programming, to passionate and enthusiastic audiences, over its 9-day festival. Recognized as a premiere film event in Canada, hosting 35,000 attendees annually, Cinéfest Sudbury celebrates and promotes diverse cultural exchange and open-mindedness, with a commitment of sharing the best international and domestic programming to a broad audience of film lovers, filmmakers, and industry delegates.

As part of its feature, documentary, and short film programming, Cinéfest Sudbury focuses on artistic quality and excellence, looking for films that represent diverse voices and experiences, providing a platform for film artists to relay the stories they wish to tell. Of special note, the festival hosts broadened programs spotlighting works from Indigenous and Francophone filmmakers. Cinéfest Sudbury also provides filmmakers with the unique opportunity to reach a wider audience as it hosts upwards of 60 programmers annually from other smaller domestic festivals attending with the intention of selecting films to screen in their home communities once released.

In 2010, Cinéfest Sudbury introduced Cinema Summit, a presentation, exchange, and development series, devoted to the celebration, promotion, and advancement of Canada’s new and emerging filmmaking talent. Aside from expanding the number of film screenings attended by talent associated with selected films, Cinema Summit features panel discussions, master classes, and lectures with specific topics of focus, and introduces attendees to experts in the film and media arts industries.  

In 2020, 2021, and 2022, Cinéfest offered both virtual and in-person film programming to ensure audiences had access to the very best in domestic and international cinema. The introduction of virtual programming provided the festival with new ways to foster interactions between audiences and film talent, flexible scheduling windows, and new opportunities for audiences across the province of Ontario to attend the event.

Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival celebrated its 35th edition September 16-24, 2023.