FAQs

CINÉFEST SUDBURY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival organizes and promotes an annual festival of highly acclaimed Canadian and international films, while encouraging film culture, education, and production in Northern Ontario.

The 37th edition of Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival is set to take place September 13-21, 2025.

Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival is based out of Sudbury, Ontario and takes place each September at SilverCity Sudbury (Cineplex), located at 355 Barrydowne Road.

Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival is currently accepting film submissions for its 37th edition.

 

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Please stay tuned. Details will be revealed summer 2025.

Please stay tuned. Details will be revealed summer 2025.

Yes, in 2024 Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival offered awards with cash prizes in the following categories:

 

Outstanding Canadian Feature Film Award

Outstanding International Feature Film Award

French Language Feature Film Award

Cinema Indigenized Outstanding Talent Award

Outstanding Female-Led Feature Film Award

Inspiring Voices & Perspectives Feature Film Award

Outstanding Short Film Award

Outstanding Northern Ontario Short Film Award

Outstanding Animated Short Film Award

 

Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival also offers a chance for the audience to vote in the following categories:

 

Audience Choice Award: Best Feature

Audience Choice Award: Best Documentary

Audience Choice Award: Best Short

 

Additionally, Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, in partnership with CTV, accepts film submissions from current and former residents of Northern Ontario for the CTV Best in Shorts Competition. The Competition provides Northern Ontario filmmakers the opportunity to advance their careers, have their work screened to a festival audience, receive exposure within the film industry, and have a chance to compete for a variety of cash prizes. In 2024, award categories for CTV Best in Shorts included:

 

Open Category, First Place ($1,250)

Open Category, Second Place ($750)

Northern Flicks Award ($1,000)

Yes, Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival hosts several opportunities for networking throughout the duration of the 9-day event that includes both industry events and social activities created to engage guests on the level of filmmaker to audience, filmmaker to industry, filmmaker to journalists/press, and filmmaker to filmmaker depending on the focus of the event.

 

Please stay tuned. Details will be revealed summer 2025.

Yes, Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival strives to create plenty of space for panels, workshops, and extracurricular events that advance Northern Ontario's film and television production industries, one of Canada's most active and fastest growing production jurisdictions. Panels and workshops take many forms and vary from year-to-year, with each providing a tailored and focused space for engagement amongst filmmakers, industry, and audience.

 

Please stay tuned. Details for Cinéfest 37 will be revealed summer 2025.

Above all else, Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival focuses on artistic quality and excellence by showcasing films that represent diverse voices and experiences, while providing a platform for film artists to relay the stories they wish to tell. Of special note, Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival features broadened programs that spotlight works from Indigenous, Francophone, and Canadian filmmakers—a spotlight that provides the unique opportunity of reaching a wider audience as the festival also hosts upwards of 60 programmers annually from other smaller domestic festivals. These programmers attend each year with the intention of selecting films screening at the festival to screen in their own home communities.

In 2020, 2021, and 2022, Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival offered virtual film programming to better align with COVID-19 protocols and procedures. As of 2023, the festival is back to operating fully in-theatre.

CINÉFEST RED CARPET PATRON PROGRAM

With the ability to see 6 films on the big screen, the Cinéfest Red Carpet Patron Program is an annual subscription-based program that was established in 2022 for dedicated festival fans to keep the spirit of Cinéfest alive all year long!

Join the Cinéfest Red Carpet Patron Program online, by calling 705-688-1234, or by visiting us at the Cinéfest Box Office (40 Larch Street, Unit 103). Cinéfest Sudbury organizers are also available to answer any additional questions that you may have, so please don't hesitate to reach out.

Cinéfest Red Carpet Patron Program details for 2025 are available now, including the option to join, renew, or gift a pass.

 

Please note that the Red Carpet Patron Program is an annual subscription-based program that runs from January until December and will not automatically renew each year.

Cinéfest Sudbury strives to seek out the best in upcoming Canadian and international films, while keeping its loyal festival audience in mind. Previous Red Carpet film screening titles include:

All Red Carpet Patron Program film titles will be announced closer to their respective screening dates. Please ensure you are opted-in to the Cinéfest Red Carpet Patron Program newsletter or are currently following Cinéfest on Facebook and Instagram to remain updated on all things related to the program.

The 2025 Cinéfest Red Carpet Patron Program screening schedule is available here. All Red Carpet film screenings will begin at 7:00 p.m. and will take place at SilverCity Sudbury (located at 355 Barrydowne Road) unless otherwise noted by Cinéfest Sudbury organizers. The Cinéfest Box Office will be available in the SilverCity Sudbury (Cineplex) lobby an hour before each screening.

Yes, individual tickets can be purchased for $12.50 each. However, it is encouraged to join the Cinéfest Red Carpet Patron Program to get the most out of each film screening, including the offering of exclusive perks that will only be available to Red Carpet Patrons. Please note that individual tickets are also limited and cannot be guaranteed.

No, simply flash your Red Carpet Patron pass when you arrive and you will receive admittance. If you don't happen to have your physical pass with you, we will kindly ask that you provide a piece of photo ID to confirm your status.

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