More than 300 Sarnia-Lambton high school students went to the movies Wednesday to celebrate Canadian films.

The trip to Galaxy Cinemas Sarnia for students from four high schools was part of a National Canada Film Day event presented by REEL Canada, and the South Western International Film Festival, a new event being launched Nov. 5 to 8 in Sarnia.

The students divided between two theatres to either watch the documentary film “The Whale,” with a question and answer session with co-director Michael Parfit who came to Sarnia for the event, or watch the film Fido, followed by Skype presentation with screenwriter Dennis Heaton.

Also part of the sessions was Ravi Srinivasan, programming associate with the Toronto International Film Festival.

The former Corunna resident, and graduate of St. Pat’s, is the founder and executive director of the new film festival planned for Sarnia in the fall.

Wednesday’s event in Sarnia was one of 160 National Canada Film Day screenings held across the country, Srinivasan said.

"Students, and adults, in every province, every territory, are celebrating Canadian film and Canadian stories," he said.

Students at St. Patrick’s Catholic High School, St. Clair Secondary School, Sarnia Collegiate and Lambton Central Collegiate, had a hand in selecting the film they would see Wednesday, Srinivasan said.

"We think it’s a new and entertaining, and exciting, way to learn about Canadian culture, Canadian history, Canadian identity, and Canadian stories."

But, often, he added, Canadians don’t know about films being made by their fellow citizens.

"When I was in high school, I didn’t know Canadian films even existed," Srinivasan said.

As well as raising awareness about Canadian films, the program is a way to introduce young people to potential careers in the film business, he said.

"Toronto right now is booming," Srinivasan said.

"It’s the biggest time right now for filmmaking since the early 2000s."

Production of large-budget American films is happening in Toronto, creating opportunities for Canadians working in the industry, he said.

"When I was in high school, I didn’t know where to go, where to start," Srinivasan said.

The program aims to give young people "that first step" to finding their way into potential careers in the industry, he said.

Wednesday’s event was also the launch of the film festival set for November. Several screenings of still-to-be-determined films will Imperial Theatre, as well as filmmaking workshops at the Judith and Norman Alix Art Gallery.

"This community was very good to me," Srinivasan said.

"I had great teachers, great role models, and wanted to give a little bit back."

The first edition of the new festival is scheduled to coincide with First Friday in downtown Sarnia.

"We’re going to incorporate some live music events, and we’ve already received support from some of the downtown establishments," Srinivasan.

He said organizers are hoping more sponsors and partners will come on board.

"We’re hoping to make this a really great annual cultural event and draw people from outside the community into the city."

paul.morden@sunmedia.ca