Thirza Cuthand admits she was a little surprised when her film Sight got into the Tribeca Film Festival.

That's because she didn't enter it to be screened.

Originally, Cuthand shot the three-and-a-half minute film for a small film festival in Toronto. Someone in the film industry saw it, liked it, and entered her into Tribeca.

Now, her bags are packed for New York City.

"I just thought it would be a little film that would get a little bit of exposure," she said. "I didn't really see it going this far."

The film centres around Cuthand's family history with mental illness. It also deals with going blind. Cuthand was in Grade 4 when she first lost her vision temporarily, a symptom associated with her bipolar disorder.

Cuthand also talks about her cousin in the film, who blinded himself by stabbing himself in both eyes after going off schizophrenia medication.

Despite dealing with dark subject material, she's excited to be entered into such a well-known film festival. Sight will be shown multiple times at Tribeca.

"I think it'll propel my career forward, so that's good," she said. "It's playing four times, so it should have a wide audience that will see it."

Sight will be in contention for an award. Actor Eva Longoria will sit on the jury.

The festival runs from April 17 to 28.