Helping to build a local film industry, the Montreal World Film Festival has opened its doors to students from local cinema schools and universities.

The students will receive free admission to all festival screenings, except for the opening and closing night films, via a special student pass.

“By offering free accreditation to students in cinema and journalism, the MWFF is supporting the emergence of new talent in film and media and is reemphasizing its fervent commitment to the future of the seventh art,” festival founder and president Serge Losique said Monday in a statement.

The MWFF has scheduled a first films world competition and student film festival as part of its 36^th edition to run from August 23 to September 3.