|
The Maine Film Association's mission is to advance the art, craft, and business of filmmaking in Maine. Our vision is to make Maine a great place to live and work as a media-maker. |
|
|
|
Festival Season Continues! |
|
|
August 21-23: Vacationland Film Festival |
|
|
Good news, Maine film lovers: festival season isn’t over just yet! There are two Maine film festivals to look forward to this month, including the third annual Vacationland Film Festival coming later this month!
Founded in 2024, the Vacationland Film Festival is a community event dedicated to showcasing films of all genres from Maine and beyond, submitted and created by filmmakers at every stage of their careers. Organized by a passionate team of volunteers, The Vacationland Film Festival is in collaboration with Biddeford’s City Theater. Screenings will be held from August 21-23. We hope to see you there!
Learn more and get your passes! >>> |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
August 21: MFA Meet-up at Vacationland!Before the Opening Night: Welcome to Vacationland! screening at City Theater, join fellow MFA festival attendees at Batson Brewing in Biddeford to celebrate the Maine-based filmmakers featured in the festival, connect with others in the Maine film community, and enjoy a cold brew! Free to all and all are welcome – hope to see you there! |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WHAT: MFA Meet-up at Vacationland Film Festival WHEN: Friday, August 21, 4-5:30pm WHERE: Batson River Brewing & Distilling - Biddeford, 17 Lincoln St, Biddeford |
|
|
|
August 22: Dreadline Film Festival |
|
|
Be warned! Something is creeping up on you… it’s the inaugural Dreadline Film Festival! Created and directed by MFA member Mariah Larocque, Dreadline is a brand new film festival dedicated to uplifting filmmakers from Maine and away who work within horror, thriller, and dark genre experimentation. Dreadline is proudly rooted in the New England tradition of horror and gothic storytelling, highlighting filmmakers who redefine push the boundaries of the genre. |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The First Annual Dreadline Film Festival will feature twenty short horror film projects, offering special categories, recognition, and awards for New England filmmakers — including a $1,000 grand prize awarded to the most outstanding short film in the program along with a distribution opportunity through Gemini Entertainment. Dreadline will be held at the Portland Media Center on August 22! Learn more about Dreadline here! >>> |
|
|
|
|
As the MFA finalizes the 2026 Maine Film & Media Production Industry Economic Impact Report, we seek recent behind-the-scenes images of Maine-based shoots and Maine mediamakers at work to include in the publication.
All images will be attributed in any MFA publication. Please send your images to us at info@mainefilm.org! |
|
|
|
| Behind the scenes of Natural Selection (2024), courtesy of Think Aesthetic, LLC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Treehouse Film Collective’s Queer/Trans Film Festival Coming this November! |
|
|
Founded by Kate Irwin in 2024, the Treehouse Film Collective (TFC) is a Maine-based group of filmmakers, activists, organizers, and artists, with a focus on creating a safe space for the local queer film community to thrive in the Portland area. Now, with support from the Kindling Fund, TFC will be piloting a brand new film festival this November: The Maine Queer and Trans Film Festival!
The QT Film Fest will be held over two weekends beginning November 21 in the Portland and Midcoast Maine area (more details coming soon). TFC welcomes all to submit their film, big or small, with the requirement that the film is queer-made and/or contains themes surrounding queer identity and expression. To find out more and submit YOUR film, click the link below, and for further inquiries, email qtfilmfest.submit@gmail.com or direct message @qtff_me on Instagram! Submit your film here! >>> |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New MFA Co-President: Patrick Kirby! |
|
|
We are proud to announce that MFA board member Patrick Kirby has joined Louise Rosen as our newest Co-President. Recently settling in Bowdoin with his family, Patrick joined the MFA as a board member in February. As longtime leader Geoffrey Leighton was ready to pass the baton, Patrick stepped up to lead in this role! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Patrick is a documentary filmmaker by trade, who focuses on uplifting voices that are not often heard. Patrick believes that visual storytelling has the power to build bridges between people and the issues that shape the world. Having worked across the U.S. and beyond, Patrick brings with him a unique perspective shaped by over a decade of experience, including military service, government communications, and independent filmmaking. HUGE kudos to Patrick for his continued dedication not only to the Maine Film Association, but his commitment to the Maine film community and telling meaningful stories through film! |
|
|
|
| Patrick Kirby, MFA Co-President |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank You, Geoffrey Leighton! |
|
|
Geoff Leighton has served as an MFA board member for over 10 years, and has assumed the roles of MFA President, Co-President, and Secretary. His thoughtful leadership, creativity, and vast experience in the filmmaking industry and media education have been a key assets to the organization. On behalf of the entire MFA Board of Directors, we want to thank Geoff for his service most recently as Co-President since 2024, and for his ongoing contributions to the organization and the community. Geoff continues to serve as a board member – next time you see him, please share your appreciation for all he’s helped MFA accomplish! |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thoughtful Participation at the Economic Impact Report Release Event |
|
|
In case you missed it, the Maine Film Association’s Economic Impact Report Release Event and Happy Hour took place on Tuesday, July 28, at Mast Landing Brewing Company in Freeport. With plenty of beers and bites to keep the ideas flowing, attendees enjoyed a networking happy hour with filmmakers from across the state.
The program included an introduction from MFA Co-President Louise Rosen, followed by a presentation of the Executive Summary of the Maine Film & Media Production Industry Economic Impact Report by Ryan Wallace of Wallace Economic Advisers. The valuable information provided by this report is one big step towards building a better future for the Maine film industry. The complete report and key findings will be made public this fall. This is just the beginning! Your continued support is crucial to ensuring that we can chart a path forward for the Maine film and mediamaking community through legislation and policy-making. Keep showing up, stay engaged with the MFA, and let your voice be heard! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Submit Your Documentary to GBH Local Lens |
|
|
GBH seeks films by filmmakers from the New England region or stories pertinent to New England audiences for Local Lens, a curated series of local, independent documentaries that capture the essence of the region. With a rolling open call process, GBH is currently accepting submissions for completed non-fiction feature length, short films, and docuseries.
Learn more & submit your film! >>> |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Vacationland Film Festival Program Highlights |
|
|
OPENING NIGHT
Aug. 21 @ 6pm: Welcome to Vacationland |
|
| Beginning at 6pm on August 21, the opening night program, “Welcome to Vacationland” is made up of two films, both of which are set in Maine. Up first is OGT PD (2026), a short film directed by Mariah Sage, who drew from her experiences on family vacations to humorously explore the local crime happenings in Oqunquit, highlighting the friction between locals and tourists in the coastal town. The second film will be Alex Lucier’s feature film, Summertime Interlude (2026), which tells the story of Levi, a rising college freshman whose dreams have been shattered after being rejected by an out-of-state film school. With no choice but to enroll in the local community college in his small Maine town he so desperately wishes to escape, Levi must reckon between chasing his dreams and respecting his parents wishes, all while getting to know a fellow classmate who has alternative plans for her higher education.
Get your tickets here! >>> |
|
|
|
| OGT PDDirector: Mariah Sage |
|
| |
| Summertime Interlude Director: Alex Lucier |
|
|
Run Time: 1 hour 2 minutes, Followed by Q&A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug. 22 @ 4pm: Maine Artists |
|
| Included in the second day of the Vacationland Film Festival program is the series “Maine Artists,” screening August 22 at 4pm. This portion of the program is composed of short films set in Maine, all of which that delve into the arts from different perspectives and through various methods. Included in the program is a film from Vacationland Animation, The Mill. This experimental animated short that follows a mill that was built in the late 19th century and continuously operated before falling into disrepair in 1981. The site now mostly abandoned, preservationists seek to protect The Mill. But with toxic waste and industrial junk left behind, there always seems to be something still happening at The Mill.
Get your tickets here! >>> |
|
|
|
| The MillDirector: Mike Stuttman |
|
|
Run Time: 53 minutes,
Followed by Q&A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Aug. 23 @ 1pm: Student Films |
|
| The third and final day of the Vacational Film Festival will screen student films from filmmaking schools across Maine, including Southern Maine Community College and Bowdoin. From an absurdist film about four college students who race across Maine to visit all 19 Reny’s locations (A Maine Adventure), to a short about a friendship on the brink of collapse as the pair fight over the last slice of pizza (Mine), the student films featured in this program are a testament to and a celebration of the next generation of Maine filmmakers! The “Student Films” screening will be held on August 23 at 1pm.
Get your tickets here! >>> |
|
|
|
| A Maine AdventureDirector: Tavi Greenfield |
|
|
| MineDirector: Nolan Boston |
|
|
Run Time: 1 hour 9 minutes, Followed by Q&A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thank you to our partners and sponsors! |
|
|
|
|
|
Your membership supports efforts to connect media professionals in our state, provide engaging professional development and networking opportunities, and promote the media industry of Maine. Your membership entitles you to free or reduced admission to MFA events and workshops, and special offers from vendors and our business members.
Membership $50
• Free listing in the Directory of Maine Film Professionals
• Free or discounted entry to some MFA meetings, events and workshops
• Networking with film industry professionals across Maine
•. Offers and discounts from vendors, partners and MFA business members
Student Membership $25
• Entitles one to the same benefits as a Professional member
• You must be an enrolled student at an accredited educational institution
• Student ID verification may be required
Small Business Membership (up to five employees) $200
• Free company listing in the Directory of Maine Film Professionals
• Discounted rates to paid-entry MFA meetings, events and workshops for up to
two company employees
• Networking with film industry professionals across Maine
• Offers and discounts from vendors, partners, and MFA business members
Contact Us for Larger Business Memberships or Sponsorships |
|
|
|
|
The MFA is the backbone of Maine's media making community. Your support empowers the future of Maine's filmmakers. By donating to the MFA, you uplift the future of this incredible community of creatives, providing subsidized access to professional development, elevating the quality of workshops we are able to provide, and supporting us as we expand our operations. |
|
|
|
