Chris Dymond and William Woods came to Sudbury to see their movie makes its world premiere at Cinéfest.

Now that the writer-director and producer team have seen all the city has to offer, they are seriously considering returning when the time comes to make their next film.

“Sudbury is its own character,” said Woods, the Toronto-based producer behind In Return. In his debut film, a romantic comedy about a man who falls in love with a homeless girl, the big city plays a part.

“It's a Toronto story, with universal themes,” Dymond said. “We call Toronto, Toronto. We're not trying to hide anything.”

Unlike many productions that film in the north for financial reasons, then try to make the cities look like those south of the border, In Return shows Toronto as Toronto. That's exactly what the duo would like to do in their next production as well.

So far, Sudbury is looking like a promising location to do so. The natural landscapes, the outdoor scenes, the parks and lakes offer a diversity that other parts of the province can't offer.

“Our eyes are really being opened,” Woods said. “You can easily set a movie here. There's a lot to offer.”

The fact that there are skilled crews and access to resources here makes the region attractive, as does Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation money.

Had their film not been selected to make its premiere at Cinéfest, there is a good chance Dymond and Woods would not have made the drive to Sudbury to experience the city and the festival.

“We came here because we have a film in the festival,” Woods said. Thanks to the positive festival experience, both Woods and Dymond agreed they would be back.

“Once people come to this festival, they'll get that,” Dymond said. “The people that organize it have been awesome. They want you to have your film seen.”

It's not only the Cinéfest crew that have been supportive. Woods said audiences as a whole seem interested in supporting all the films screening at the festival.
“It's always when nice the little guys get a shot,” he said.

In Return makes it premiere today, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. Craig Cardiff, the musician responsible for the In Return soundtrack, is playing a the Cinéfest afterparty at the Towne House.

Doors open at 7 p.m., and tickets can be purchased for $10 in advance and $15 at the door.

Along with music by Cardiff, the soundtrack includes tracks from North Bay's Faraway Neighbours, a Music and Film in Motion award-winning group. North Bay's Ben Leggett also worked on the album; he was the one responsible for “getting it sounding awesome.”

For more information, visit www.inreturnthemovie.com.