A new superhero movie opens the annual Canadian Filmmakers Festival tonight at Toronto's Varsity cinema. Being a Canadian film, however, it's about Victory Man, a hero you've never heard of. Actually, it's about his sidekick.

Sidekick, by first-time director Blake Van De Graaf, tells the story of Norman (Perry Mucci), who works in technical support for a Bay Street financial firm. A comic book enthusiast, Norman is astonished when he sees a co-worker (David Ingram) display what looks like telekinetic powers, and he vows to turn the man into a crime fighter, with himself as sidekick and mentor (albeit a younger, geekier and less wise guru than, say, Batman's butler or superman's dad).

Problems arise when the would-be superhero starts to question why he should give up his lucrative trading job to skulk around in a mask and cape. And why send arch-villains to jail, he wonders, when the correctional system will just put them back on the street in a few months? Norman, steeped in comic-book lore, can only shrug and say that's the way it is, while admonishing his protégé to stop using his powers to pour drinks. "Alcohol is your kryptonite," he warns.

The smart, funny film has been bought by Focus Features, which plans a remake. Sidekick's writer/producer, Michael Sparaga, has been hired to write a first draft. There's no telling if Canadian sensibilities will survive in the big-budget version, so patriots may want to see this one, which returns to play at Toronto's Royal rep cinema on April 15th, part of a cross-country tour.

The Canadian Filmmakers Festival runs from tonight until Sunday, with other screenings taking place at Toronto's Carlton Cinemas. Ten features and 19 shorts will be shown, including documentaries, thrillers and comedies. For more information visit www.canfilmfest.ca. Tickets are $9 and can be purchased at the Carlton. Tickets for Sidekick ($10) are available at the Varsity.