Imagine a major cultural event in Maine in which films from across the country and the world are shown - sometimes for the first time. Imagine being able to meet the producers and directors, participate in panel discussions, and see films that aren’t available anywhere else. Now stop imagining - because this will be the 10th year that Waterville, Maine is hosting such an event. The Maine International Film Festival began its festivities on July 13th and will continue with film showings throughout the week until the final evening of Sunday, July 22nd. I had the opportunity to attend two days of this festival over the weekend and talk with some of those involved.
Ken Eisen is a festival programmer for MIFF and generously took some time out of his busy weekend to speak with me. Eisen explained to me that in choosing films for the festival, the programmers try to find Maine based films. However, he views and chooses many films - including those from outside Maine - through his production company Shadow Films, as well as going to other festivals, and seeing films at Railroad Square Cinema. Railroad Square Cinema and the Waterville Opera House are the two festival venues. Eisen notified me that this festival may be the only way to see these films, most of which are not currently available on DVD. For some films, like “High and Outside“, “My Great Chagrin“, and “Profit Motive and The Whispering Wind“, this festival is their world premiere.
There are not only feature films at the festival, but also short films and documentaries - many of which may qualify for the Academy Awards next year, according to Eisen. When I asked how MIFF had changed in the last 10 years, Eisen said that the festival has “much larger audiences now. The profile is higher than what it used to be.” From what I saw at the festival, audiences at film showings ranged from 25 to 100 people, with children, teenagers, and young adults scattered among a slightly older crowd.
The films shown at the festival are not all exclusively for adults, thanks to Fireflies - a new addition to MIFF last year - a group that brings quality children’s films from around the world to the festival. I spoke with Roger Phelps, one of the co-directors of Fireflies, after the screening of “Candy House”, the first of the group’s films shown on Saturday afternoon. Phelps explained that Fireflies has a committee, with adults and children on it, that screens films to decide what should be included at MIFF. “Last year there were only two films with shorts and this year there are four films with eights shorts“, said Phelps about how his group’s involvement at MIFF has grown. Phelps hopes families will have something to talk about, after viewing the films his organization has selected.
One of the unique experiences at MIFF, is that you may actually have the opportunity to hear from the filmmakers themselves at the festival. I went to two films, “Knee Deep” and “Girls Rock!” where the directors were there to present the films and take questions afterwards. There are also panel discussions about certain films or filmmakers, and a Mid-Life Achievement Award presentation every year, to someone of renown in the film industry.
The festival is far from over and is worthy of attention from local Mainers, as well as those visiting the state. Eisen expects large turn-outs at the Wednesday night showing of “High and Outside” a documentary about the former Red Sox pitcher Bill “SpaceMan” Lee - which Lee will attend - and the Closing Night film “In the Shadow of the Moon” a British documentary about the American lunar program of the ‘60s and early ‘70s. For more information on the festival, and for purchasing tickets, check out www.miff.org or call one of the venues directly.