Saint-Owen — The Sanctarian International Film Festival has received a record number of submissions ahead of its annual programme, with organisers pointing to growing interest from independent filmmakers at home and abroad. The festival, held in Saint-Owen, Glorionis, has attracted more than 1,400 entries this year, surpassing its previous record of 1,120. Submissions include feature films, documentaries, and short films, with Sanctarian productions accounting for nearly a third of entries.
Organisers say the increase has been particularly noticeable among first-time directors, many of whom have submitted films produced outside the country’s established studios. The festival’s independent film programme has been expanded to accommodate the growing number of submissions.
Now in its eighteenth year, the event has become an important fixture in Sanctaria’s cultural calendar, attracting filmmakers, distributors, and audiences from across the country. This year’s programme will include screenings at several venues throughout Saint-Owen, alongside discussions with directors and workshops for emerging filmmakers. The festival will also introduce a new award recognising outstanding first-time directors, intended to give greater visibility to filmmakers working with smaller production budgets.
Although the rise in submissions has been welcomed, organisers face the challenge of selecting a programme from an increasingly competitive field. Fewer than one in ten entries are expected to receive a screening during the festival. The final programme is due to be announced later this month, with the festival scheduled to take place in November.
LEE JONES, Entertainment Correspondent
