WATERVILLE, Maine—The Maine International Film Festival kicks off its 28th annual edition this Friday, July 11, in Waterville, Maine. This year’s festival features a robust program of over 100 films, the most in the festival’s 28-year history, across 10 days, showcasing Maine-made productions, international movies from nearly 40 countries, rediscoveries of beloved classics, world premieres, hands-on workshops, awards, and much more. Highlights include our Mid-Life Achievement Award honoree Clive Owen, Lifetime Achievement Award honoree and co-founder of MIFF Ken Eisen, the New Nigerian Cinema program, the Centerpiece documentary The Negotiator, about Waterville-native Senator George Mitchell at the Waterville Opera House, and, of course, the made-in-Maine features and shorts in competition for the annual Tourmaline Prizes.
“This year’s edition of the Maine Film Center is groundbreaking in so many ways. With more films than we’ve ever programmed—including the most made-in Maine films, too—we’re excited to represent storytelling and cinematic achievement from nearly 40 countries across the coming 10 days,” said Mike Perreault, executive director of the Maine Film Center.
We are excited to celebrate the opening of the festival with Kim Snyder’s invigorating documentary The Librarians at the Opera House at 6:30pm. Following the recent wave of book banning across the US targeting LGBTQ+ and race-related content, Snyder’s documentary follows a group of steadfast librarians on the front lines fighting censorship disguised as public good.
“Not only is this screening followed by the kickoff to the family-friendly Waterville Rocks concert series at Head of Falls, the entire festival has something in store for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. From professional development workshops, to artmaking activities, to world premieres and special conversations with the filmmakers themselves, MIFF extends an open invitation to the public to experience excellent storytelling and share in this celebration of cinema.”
Following The Librarians and the opening night proceedings, festivalgoers may want to head over to the Maine Film Center for another screening: the telling and sometimes hilarious German-Iranian film Shahid at 9pm, an unexpected love story with The Victoria System at 9:20pm; or the ever-relevant Beautiful Evening, Beautiful Day at 9:40pm. Alternatively, those seeking live entertainment can cross Common Street to Head of Falls Park, where the annual free concert series Waterville Rocks, presented by Waterville Creates and the Waterville Opera House, kicks off with the Adam Ezra Group with Bella Ann. Visit operahouse.org/waterville-rocks for more information and squeeze in time for art-making at Art Rocks! while you’re there.
The Librarians launches a full, diverse MIFF program that truly offers something for everyone. To learn more about the more than 100 films screening at MIFF this year, as well as the myriad special events and programs, visit MIFF.org. Passes and tickets are available now online or by calling the Ed Harris Box Office at 207.873.7000.
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About MIFF
Founded in 1998, the Maine International Film Festival (MIFF) is a project of the Maine Film Center. The 10 days of the festival showcase around 100 films, representing the best of American independent and international cinema, and spotlight some of Maine and New England’s most exciting and innovative filmmakers.