23 years and growing

The Cannes Film Festival has long been regarded as one of the premiere festivals in the world. though Syracuse also has a unique film festival experience.

Cannes. Sundance. Syracuse? Film festivals have long been an opportunity for filmmakers to debut their work or gain notoriety -- and of all places, Syracuse has had one for 23 years. This year's edition of the Syracuse International Film Festival has for the first time expanded to four days; a sign of its health and testament to the arts community in CNY. Marketed as "the crossroads of Canada and New York City" on its website, the film festival gives the area a unique opportunity to experience culture. From the avant-garde to mainstream genres like horror and sports, this year's showings are also uniquely CNY. Three documentaries shown Friday night were made in Central New York, two of which present stories based in the area. Throughout the course of the festival, a number of indigenous-based documentaries reinforce Syracuse's connection to Native American storytelling. This is where Syracuse's film festival can set itself apart. It won't have the big name premieres that a Cannes or Sundance will have, but what it can do is showcase stories that its community wants to see. When an event like this is tailored to those who will actually be there to experience it, it can endear itself and become a community staple. With the Syracuse International Film Festival going on 23 years, it's clear the organizers have their fingers on the pulse of the community.

Since its founding in 2003, the film festival has focused on promoting independent and artist-driven films. It also means Syracuse is a hub for regional film fans, promoting the arts and bringing in an economic boost. With the festival closing on Sunday, another year has come and gone, this one being bigger than the last. As supporting independent filmmaking grows in importance, the Syracuse International Film Festival is set to continue to be a staple in showcasing the arts.