Sault producer, writer, director and actress Trish Rainone was living in Toronto creating original content when she met Vancouver-born award winning film and television producer Rebeka Herron.
The two immediately hit it off. So much so, that in 2019 the duo co-founded 180 Sisterhood Productions, a media production company.
“We filmed a web series up here in the Sault together in 2019 and decided that this would be a great place to continue filming,” says Rainone.
“We built a team here and have since re-located, opened our company and have many films slated to shoot here over the next two years.”
Not only are Herron and Rainone bringing production work to the community, but they are also creating an event to showcase this work.
This past summer, 180 Sisterhood Productions announced that the launch of the Sault Film Festival, scheduled to take place Nov. 27 to 29.
“This is the first, annual Sault Film Festival, although we have individually been involved in the production of film festivals before,” says Herron.
“[We] thought it would be a great chance to celebrate other filmmakers in the North and bring them together.”
A local film festival is a tangible means to support the local film industry in the Sault and throughout the North.
“We see a budding film community up here and really want to showcase the local talent and include films exclusively by Northern Ontario residents,” says Rainone.
“There are many talented filmmakers out there and with limited resources or budgets, they need to start somewhere. It's important for festivals to screen and celebrate these projects, because [creating them is] no small feat. Having a [film] screened in a festival… provides the filmmaker with the credentials necessary to gain investors or funding for future projects. These festivals are a great way to showcase talent, give the filmmaker recognition and exposure and for the public to view some really great independent films they don't get to catch at the theatre or on TV.”
Despite the pandemic, the festival fully intends to move forward while keeping everyone safe by moving it online. The event will include networking and workshop events in addition to the screenings.
“We will stream the films and panels or workshops online, and also have a small gathering here adhering to the COVID-19 protocols and restrictions,” says Herron.
The organizers hope that having the event take place online will expand the possibility of who will get to see the featured works.
This first annual event has attracted a number of filmmakers contributing already.
“We have had quite a few submissions and are really excited to showcase the talent... we have a short film, feature film, music video and webseries categories,” says Rainone.
“We are looking to celebrate all genres and skill/budget levels, including student films.”
Despite its virtual start, Herron and Rainone intend for it to be an annual event.
“We would like to build the festival with our community partners and hold it each year,” says Rainone.
The festival has already attracted key sponsorships including local businesses.
Outside of the development of this new festival, 180 Sisterhood Productions has a number of other projects on the go.
“We did shoot a music video with local artist Jesse Merineau and are very excited to release that video this fall,” says Rainone.
“We also shot a feature film in August and are we are gearing up to shoot a comedy short in the Sault in October. We have many more projects pending that we are hoping to get the green light on to shoot up here, as well with local talent and crew.”
Filmmakers can submit their works online to the Sault Film Festival until Oct. 16 at Filmfreeway.com/SaultFilmFestival.
