How a Sudbury 2SLGBTQ+ film festival is helping those who feel alone find a home

One of the largest 2SLGBTQ+ themed film festivals is being held in Sudbury from June 13 to 16 at the Sudbury Indie Cinema. 

According to Simone Widdifield, the associate director behind The Queer North Film Festival, the event aims to celebrate the diversity of sexuality and gender identities. It is currently in its eighth year.

The four-day event is set to feature 32 different films from creators across the globe. But, Widdiefield says it's much more than just a film festival. 

"There's a lot of isolation that comes with being queer, often not seeing yourself reflected in most of the media you watch growing up, seeing people protest against your existence. To be able to provide a home for people who feel isolated or just scared in the moment or looking for art that connects to their soul is a really special thing," she said.

Widdiefield says the festival aims to help those who feel alone find a sense of community. She points out an art installation by Blaine Thornton that invites festival goers to write a moment of joy and hang it on a heart in the center of the cinema's lobby as an example.

The event also features about 20 different talks with artists on queer-related issues and socials. "A lot of the programming that we do is getting behind those biases in the industry to show a variety, a wider range of perspectives and storytelling," said Beth Mairs, the founding executive director of Sudbury Indie Cinema.

One of those movies is by Sudbury's Tom Reid, the producer behind How to Eat a Rainbow. It is a story inspired by Reid's grandchildren who would often visit Manitoulin Island and Sudbury or what he calls "rainbow country."

He says he tells the story because he wants the audience to "think of the rainbow flag" and "everything that's going on with Pride at this time of year."

Mairs says the festival is for more than just the 2SLGBTQ+ community. She says allies are welcome to show their support, which is important in a time where there are direct attacks on the community.

"It is a celebration of queer creators and the work that they're doing. We're seeing less acceptance… when an event like this comes up, it is an opportunity to support queer film makers from around the world who are showing their work in Sudbury."