Maine Film Festivals

Upcoming Festivals

• March 9 - 17, 2019

  Maine Jewish Film Festival (MJFF)

  Founded in 1998, the Maine Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) curates a program of films, in venues throughout greater Portland, that explore the Jewish experience through drama, comedy, documentary and short film formats. MJFF has grown to be one of the best-attended, most well-respected, and highly-anticipated cultural events in the state. MJFF attracts a diverse, sophisticated, and deeply loyal audience that loves independent film.

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• July 20, 2019

  MAINE STUDENT FILM AND VIDEO FESTIVAL (MSFVF)

  One of the longest running student film festivals in the country, the MSFVF showcases films made by Maine residents 19 years of age and younger that are currently in grades K-12. Celebrating the future filmmakers of Maine, the finalists and winning movies are screened at the Maine International Film Festival.

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• September 12 – 15, 2019

  CAMDEN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (CIFF)

  Founded in 2005, the Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) is recognized as one of the top 25 international documentary festivals in the world, and one of the 12 best small town film festivals in the US. The Points North Documentary Forum, the educational component of CIFF, offers hands-on workshops, panel discussions, one-on-one mentorships, pitch sessions, networking events and master classes that help independent documentary filmmakers advance their projects.

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Past/TBD Festivals

• 2019 FESTIVAL DATES, TBD

  PORTLAND YOUTH FILM FESTIVAL (PYFF)

  The Portland Youth Film Festival is intended to connect Maine children and families to people within their own cultures and communities, as well as expand the worldviews of all attendees. Conceived and organized by East End Community School parents and teachers who believe in the value of bringing community together to create and celebrate film, the festival is presented in conjunction with Portland Public Schools.

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• 2019 Festival Dates, TBD

  SANFORD INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

  The Sanford International Film Festival is dedicated to entertaining the members of its community by providing a platform for the works of budding independent filmmakers and fostering the creation of the arts.

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• 2019 Festival Dates, TBD

  MAINE DEAF FILM FESTIVAL

  Founded in 2002, the Maine Deaf Film Festival is a student run event hosted by The University of Southern Maine’s American Sign Language (ASL) Club. All selected films are written, produced, created, and performed by deaf and hard of hearing individuals and film production companies. The mission is to provide a platform for people to learn about, appreciate, and celebrate deaf culture, issues and art.

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• 2019 Festival Dates, TBD

  EMERGE FILM FESTIVAL

  Supporting a diverse cross-section of filmmakers from established to “emerging” artists, the festival brings a diverse selection of Maine-made, national and international films to the Lewiston-Auburn area in the categories of documentary, short and feature length films. Emerge helps promote the motion picture arts in the State of Maine, with a particular focus on providing opportunities for student filmmakers.

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• 2019 Festival Dates, TBD

  MAINE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (MIFF)

  Founded in 1998, the Maine International Film Festival (MIFF) is a project of the Maine Film Center. During the 10 days of the festival in Waterville, MIFF screens nearly 100 films, representing the best of American independent and international cinema. MIFF also spotlights some of Maine and New England’s most exciting and innovative filmmakers.

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• 2019 Festival Dates, TBD

  BLUESTOCKING FILM SERIES

  Celebrating women in film since 2011, the Bluestocking Film Series promotes talented, emerging filmmakers who take the creative risk of placing female protagonists front and center. The film series provides an outlet for highly-visual, cutting-edge stories whose narratives are driven by women (or girl) characters - strong, complex characters leading the action and driving the narrative.

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• 2019 Festival Dates, TBD

  NORTHEAST HISTORIC FILM SYMPOSIUM

  Northeast Historic Film (NHF), a moving image archives in Bucksport, collects and preserves the film and video record of northern New England. Since 2000, NHF has organized an annual themed gathering devoted to the history, theory, and preservation of moving images. The Northeast Historic Film Symposium is noted for bringing together archivists, scholars, and artists in an intimate setting.

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• 2019 Festival Dates, TBD

  48 HOUR FILM PROJECT (48HFP)

  Through its festival/competition, the 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP) encourages filmmakers and would-be filmmakers to get out there and make movies. In a wild and sleepless weekend, all writing, shooting, editing and scoring must be completed in just 48 hours. On Friday night, you are assigned a character, a prop, a line of dialogue and a genre that must be included in your movie. 48 hours later, you must submit your film.

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• 2019 Festival Dates, TBD

  MAINE OUTDOOR FILM FESTIVAL (MOFF)

  The Maine Outdoor Film Festival (MOFF) has been celebrating the outdoor community and inspiring expression since 2012. The festival kicks off at the base at Three Rivers Whitewater in The Forks each summer, with a MOFF Selects Tour of main street theaters and college/high school amphitheaters each winter/spring. MOFF features outdoor Films, and screens them outdoors.

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• 2019 Festival Dates, TBD

  PORTLAND MAINE FILM FESTIVAL (PMFF)

  Founded in 2010, the Portland Maine Film Festival (PMFF) hosts three days of films, seminars, and celebrations, spotlighting established and emerging cinema artists of Maine and independent filmmakers from across the globe. PMFF aims to strengthen relationships within the Maine motion picture community, while fostering the cultural and creative growth of Portland as a developing hub for independent film and innovation in the arts.

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• 2019 Festival Dates, TBD

  Maine Short Film Festival (MSFF)

  Founded in 2014 the Maine Short Film Festival is produced by the Maine Film & Video Association (MFVA) and is open to any MFVA member. As a trade association representing a broad spectrum of Maine filmmakers, MFVA’s festival also distinguishes itself by accepting sponsored films (psa’s, message films, and commercials) as well as independent documentaries, fiction films, animation, and experimental work. Films must have some connection with Maine and must be under 20 minutes. Click the button below for additional information about the festival on the MFVA website.

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