DIRECTOR’S CUT CHARACTERS OF COBOURG WHO: SARAH CLEVELAND WHAT: EYE2EYE FILM FESTIVAL WHERE: CONCERT HALL AT VICTORIA HALL “The support from our Board at Film Access Northumberland, our dedicated volunteers, and the community is what makes this festival truly special.” Sarah Cleveland didn’t plan on running a film festival. In fact, she stumbled into it the same way most of us stumble onto our next big thing, by answering a Facebook post. It was 2021, and someone had shared a listing for a local outdoor screening of Murdoch Mysteries in Cobourg’s Victoria Park. Sarah showed up, grabbed a lawn chair, and left with a new obsession. A few short years later, she’s not just attending the Eye2Eye Film Festival, she’s directing it. Now in her second year at the helm, Sarah has turned a small, scrappy event into a full-blown celebration of cinematic storytelling. She’s upped submissions, brought in a wave of new talent, and made space for everyone, from high school students debuting their first short to industry veterans leading masterclasses. But ask her about the highlight, and she won’t talk about ticket sales or red carpets. “Watching young local filmmakers grow in confidence and skill, honestly, it’s the best part,” she says. For Sarah, Eye2Eye isn’t just about movies. It’s about giving people the chance to see themselves — on screen, behind the camera, in the audience. She’s proof that sometimes, the best stories are the ones that start with “I didn’t expect to be here.” filmaccessnorthumberland.ca 51 YOUR STORY BEGINS HERE
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