The public is invited to see the free movie, "Canvas," on various nights throughout the Sandhills in the next two weeks. The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Moore County (NAMI-MC) is sponsoring this award-winning film to provide education on brain disorders and to promote its upcoming Pathway to Awareness Weekend on Oct. 4-5.

The 100-minute film stars Academy Award-winner Marcia Gay Harden and Emmy Award-winner Joe Pantoliano, of the "The Sopranos" and many feature films. It's the heartwarming story of how the father and son deal with the brain illness of the mother.

Pantoliano will be the guest celebrity during NAMI-MC's special weekend to bring awareness of brain illnesses and help break the stigma of them. He will speak at the Sandhills Community College as part of the Ruth Pauley Lecture Series on Saturday, Oct. 4, and will meet and greet the public during Sunday activities at the Pinehurst Village Hall between 1 and 3:30 p.m.

"Canvas" will be shown at 7 p.m. on the following dates in church fellowship halls:

Tuesday, Sept. 23, Community Presbyterian, in Pinehurst

Friday, Sept. 26, Bethesda Presbyterian, in Aberdeen

Wednesday, Oct. 1, Emma-nuel Episcopal, Southern Pines

Thursday, Oct. 2, West End Presbyterian, West End

"Choose the night of your choice and come enjoy this free film and learn more about the upcoming Pathway to Aware-ness Weekend, too," says a spokesman.

Call 295-1053 for more information or go the NAMI-MC Web site www.nami-moorecounty.org.