After two years of COVID-related cancelations, the Shadows of the Mind Film Festival is back in Sault Ste. Marie.
The five-day event features a lineup of 19 films from Canadian and international filmmakers, which have been carefully selected by the organizers to provoke thought and conversations about social issues.
«The aim is to reduce stigma on mental health and addictions, to enlighten, to educate and to entertain,» said festival director Bill MacPherson.
«That’s really our goal, and I think that hasn’t changed over 22 years.»
One of the films being featured is a documentary dealing with the opioid crisis, which is to be followed by a panel discussion.
«We’re going to be presenting Love in the Time of Fentanyl,» with many community partners coming out and presenting about this important social issue,» said MacPherson, adding that screening, along with a few others, will be admission by donation.
In keeping with the ‘Filmed in the Sault – Screened in the Sault’ tradition, this year’s film fest includes the local big screen premier of The Middle Man, which was shot in Sault Ste. Marie in 2020.
Tickets for the film festival are on sale now at the box office inside the Station Mall and online.
All screenings will take place at the Grand Theatre downtown starting Feb. 22.