The possibility of showing films made by Sudbury filmmakers was more than just a dream 21 years ago when some people got together to organize a festival which would give Sud bury audiences access to Canadian and foreign films that are not shown at mainstream theatres. Cinéfest's through a series of workshops and industry forums has encouraged young filmmakers such as Ben Paquette and Matthew Heiti.

The work of two Sudbury filmmakers will be shown this year as part of the Northern Connection series.The Woman of Ahhs, a film by Sudbury born and raised director and screenwriter Paquette, is about a handsome, charming, lovelorn musician named Jude Garland on a quest to find a mystery woman.

The festival will also screen Son of The Sunshine, co-written by Matthew Heiti, a former Cinéfest staffer and a graduate of the performing arts program at Sudbury Secondary School.

Another local talent David Joseph Anselmo will be raising awareness and funds for his latest film project Northern Boys, a coming-of-age-story set in Sudbury, that he expects to start shooting next summer. The actor and writer, who graduated from the theatre program at Thorneloe University, and went on to be a television and film star in South Korea, is back home and has established a film production company called Hideaway Pictures. Hideway will host a gala evening at Science North Friday, Sept. 18. Tickets are $75. For more information, phone 675-3388.

Cinéfest will start Saturday, Sept. 19 and run for eight days. A gala film will be shown on the first night of the festival--usually reserved for a opening party--and the regular schedule will start Sunday, Sept. 20 at noon. All films will be shown at SilverCity Cinemas.