Whether it was to see a documentary delving into the lives of women in India or a comedy-drama set in France about a wealthy Parisian paraplegic, the crowds were the best yet for this year's Windsor International Film Festival.

With 9,000 seats filled at the Capitol Theatre over the course of the five-day festival, attendance numbers surpassed all previous years, making it the most successful yet, said executive director Peter Coady.

"It's very gratifying," said Coady. "I've heard this from other festival directors - that it takes time. Well, with last year being very successful and this year being even more successful suggests to me that it's happened - that this festival has taken root and grown to a point now that nothing is stopping it."

Coady said there were 16 sold-out shows this year, a number they've never reached in the seven previous years the festival has taken place.

The fact that WIFF is completely volunteer-run is what sets it apart from other film festivals, said Coady.

"It just suggests that the Windsor and Essex County soul will not live without sustenance from the arts," he said.

Featured this year were 52 films from eight countries, including 19 that were Canadian.

An obvious fan favourite at this year's WIFF was The Intouchables, said Coady, which will be France's entry into next year's Academy Awards for best foreign film.

As for plans for next year's fest, Coady said he wants to "just keep what we've got and just take a few cautious but creative and bold steps forward."

He said a few satellite venues might be on the horizon for next year. "Possibly. It's an idea," Coady said with a smile.

Coady is sure the WIFF will not be going anywhere anytime soon, and he hopes to see it continue to grow and improve.

"You know, when you're used to having a vegetable with every meal and then suddenly it's taken away from you, the balance has been disturbed. I think that for many people in this community, there would be a balance that would be disturbed if they found that this was no more," said Coady.

"I think that they would feel that something had been taken away from them that they deserve, and they deserve this as people in this community who appreciate the arts."