28th Maine International Film Festival Announces Full Festival Program
The Maine International Film Festival (MIFF) has confirmed a full lineup of more than 100 films for its 28th annual 10-day festival held July 11–20, 2025 in Waterville, Maine. A project of the Maine Film Center, MIFF returns this summer to once again showcase a diverse range of Maine-made films, international cinema, rediscoveries of timeless classics, and world premieres. This year’s program features the most films ever screened in the festival’s 28-year history, drawn in part from a record-breaking number of submissions.
The festival will open Friday, July 11, with The Librarians, about community leaders who are first responders in the fight for democracy and human rights. A documentary film about the life and career of Waterville-born Senator George J. Mitchell, who led the brokering of peace in Northern Ireland in the 1990s, The Negotiator will serve as this year’s Centerpiece Film on Wednesday, July 16 at the Waterville Opera House. Closing the festival on July 20 is Sunfish (& Other Stories on Green Lake), Sierra Falconer’s debut feature film, which invites us to reflect on the value of community and the beauty of the summer season.
MIFF remains true to its roots by supporting Maine-made feature and short films with a juried competition for the annual Tourmaline Prizes of $5,000 and $2,500, respectively. The Tourmaline Prizes are designed to celebrate the best of Maine films and support state’s developing filmmaking industry. This year’s program features four Maine-made full-length features (76 Days Adrift, A Moment in the Sun, InhuMaine, and Sight Unseen), and 21 Maine-made shorts, including narrative and documentary films.
“MIFF celebrates some of the best filmmaking from Maine, the US, and around the world each year,” Maine Film Center executive director Mike Perreault said. “We’re honored to represent 40 countries, 25 Maine films, and to host a series of panels, workshops, and special events for filmmakers and audiences alike. I’m eager for people to make important connections and discoveries through film in the heart of downtown Waterville this July.”
MIFF will welcome Academy Award-nominated actor Clive Owen as the 2025 Mid-Life Achievement Award honoree. Six of Owen’s films will screen at this year’s festival: Duplicity, Children of Men, Closer, I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, Gosford Park, and Croupier.
Ken Eisen, co-founder and longtime programming director, will be honored with the festival's Lifetime Achievement Award. This recognition celebrates Eisen's decades-long commitment to bringing world-class cinema to central Maine and his role in shaping the region's cultural landscape.
Visit MIFF.org for the full festival lineup and to reserve passes. Those who have already purchased their passes can now enjoy a full week of advanced access to ticket reservations for individual screenings before individual tickets become available June 13.
About the Maine Film Center
Maine Film Center (MFC) educates, entertains, and builds community through film. Founded in 2009 to unite Railroad Square Cinema, Maine’s first independent art house cinema, and the annual Maine International Film Festival, MFC serves as an important cultural anchor by showing the best of American independent, international, and repertory film, and offering the best popcorn in the known universe. For more information visit MaineFilmCenter.org.
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 the best of American independent and international cinema, and spotlight some of Maine and the world’s most exciting and innovative filmmakers. MIFF returns to the Paul J. Schupf Art Center and the Waterville Opera House for its 28th edition July 11–20, 2025. Festival passes are now available for purchase, and the entire festival program is available online at MIFF.org.