CANTON -- St. Lawrence International Film Festival organizers say the Village of Canton has signed on as a Community Alliance sponsor for this year’s inaugural international film festival October 22-25.

"The Village of Canton is ecstatic to be one of the host communities for the new St. Lawrence International Film Festival,” said Canton Mayor Mary Ann Ashley. “The confidence bestowed upon us is truly heartwarming. We look forward to the continued success of this annual event and have no doubt about the significant positive impact it will have on all of us for years to come.”

St. Lawrence International Film Festival is a first of its kind celebration of film with events on both sides of the international border between the US and Canada: no other film festival in the world can claim such a footprint and exposure.

With headquarters in Canton, festival events will take place there, as well as in Ottawa, ON, Potsdam, and Brockville, ON. In addition to competition and special screenings, the festival will feature an opening gala at Ottawa’s Canadian Museum of History with guest of honor Dan Aykroyd, a block party in Canton, panels, competition screenings, awards ceremonies and a closing night film and party.

“From Day One, we knew Canton would be the Festival’s headquarters,” said Festival Executive Director Adam Paul. “With a Main Street on the National Register of Historic Places, a vibrant local business community, its proximity to the border with Canada and designation as the St. Lawrence County seat, we felt the Village was a perfect fit for us.” Paul added, “Canton has turned out to be more than perfect."

For more information about Festival sponsorship, ticketing or if you would like to submit your film for competition, visit www.stlawrencefilm.com.