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Cinéfest gala screening a first for local filmmaker

Some 1,825 days later, Anselmo said he's thrilled that for the first time, one of his films is being screened as a gala presentation by Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival. “The Masked Saint,” which shows at 7 p.m. Sept.
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(From left) Cinéfest executive director Tammy Frick and managing director Patrick O'Hearn are seen here with Hideaway Pictures CEO David Anselmo, the co-producer of “The Masked Saint,” one of the gala films at this year's film festival. Photo by Heidi Ulrichsen.
Some 1,825 days later, Anselmo said he's thrilled that for the first time, one of his films is being screened as a gala presentation by Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival.

“The Masked Saint,” which shows at 7 p.m. Sept. 17, tells the story of a professional wrestler and family man who becomes a small town pastor, and eventually a masked vigilante.

The movie, starring 1980s WWF wrestler "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, was shot in Sault Ste. Marie in 2013. Anselmo is the film's co-producer.

“The success that we have at Hideaway and at the film studio is completely because of the community support that we get,” he said, giving props to government funders and agencies such as Cinéfest.

“Without them, I wouldn't be here making movies. I'm extremely happy and proud and thankful these organizations and this support in this community exists.”

Although “The Masked Saint” is Anselmo's first Cinéfest gala film, he said he's provided production support to numerous other films screened at the festival both this year and in past years.

The North's film industry has now moved out of its infancy and is entering a new phase, Anselmo said.

“We are starting to get a reputation of being a region that can deliver quality work,” he said.

Much of the cast and crew of “The Masked Saint” will be on hand at Cinéfest screening, as well as the reception afterwards, which takes place at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel.

That includes actors Lara Jean Chorostecki and Brett Granstaff, and Gary Granstaff, the movie's executive producer.

Because she just happens to be in Sudbury filming another movie with Anselmo right now, nine-year-old T.J. McGibbon of Hamilton is also on the guest list. She played the main character's daughter, Carrie Samuels, in “The Masked Saint.”

“It's going to be really fun seeing everyone again,” said the young actor, who said she's already picked out her outfit — a vintage 1960s dress she and her mom found in a shop in Hamilton. “It will be my first ever premiere and gala.”

For a full listing of Cinéfest's offerings, or to purchase tickets, www.cinefest.com.

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Heidi Ulrichsen

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