The Mount Vernon Film Festival began Thursday at the Doles Community Center, showcasing Mount Vernon-bred talent.

Osiris Imhotep, a local filmmaker, presented his movie, "I'll Always Love My Mama" on opening night. It is the first film Imhotep has written, produced and directed. It took him two weeks to produce and just $5,000 to make.

"What does this festival mean to Mount Vernon? It means you don't have to go to Cannes or Salt Lake," says Imhotep. "Come see some of the best films made, period."

Mayor Ernie Davis says he hopes the film festival continues to grow and becomes a staple of the culture in the city.

"This is a continuation of what we're trying to do, it's about the talent and what we are trying to do in our great city," says Davis.

The Mount Vernon Film Festival is from Sept. 24 to Sept. 27.