It's Maine International Film Festival time! The 2025 Maine International Film Festival (MIFF) is ON! and once again Maine Public is excited to be a Media Sponsor of this seminal event. MIFF showcases the best of American and international cinema with world premieres, classic revivals, inspiring performances, and exhibitions. MIFF highlights some of Maine and New England’s most innovative filmmakers.
The Maine International Film Festival (MIFF) has confirmed a full lineup of more than 100 films for its 28th annual 10-day festival. 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.
WATCH a trailer of the festival!
Maine Public members do receive a $2 discount for Maine Public members that reserve tickets online (using case sensitive MEPub2025 at checkout). Visit MIFF.org for the full festival lineup and to reserve passes and tickets.
