Maine Film Association - MFA

07/16/2026

It's time for another installment in our recurring series, the MFA Maine Filmmaker Spotlight! ⭐🌲

For this edition, we connected with Mariah Laroque, Chief Operating Officer of Pine Coast Media Enterprises and multi-talented filmmaker. Mariah told us all about her film inspirations, career journey, and current projects - including her latest undertaking as the co-founder of the inaugural Dreadline Film Festival, an exciting new horror, thriller, and experimental film festival coming to Portland Media Center on August 22.

➡️ Read more about our latest Maine Filmmaker Spotlight by following the link below!

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself – where did you grow up? What brought you to Maine? What do you do currently in the Maine film and media production industry? A: I was born in North Carolina, raised in New Hampshire, and have proudly called Maine home for the past decade. I earned my Bache

07/14/2026

Calling all MFA members and Maine filmmakers! 📣

Join the MFA, Maine Film Office, and Wallace Economic Advisors on Tuesday, July 28, at Mast Landing Brewing Company in Freeport to learn about the findings of the 2026 Maine Film & Media Production Economic Impact Study! Share your thoughts, ideas, and impressions, and connect with colleagues from across the state. This event is free to all, and all are welcome.

🍻 WHAT: 2026 Economic Impact Report Release Event and Happy Hour

📅 WHEN: Tuesday, July 28, 5:30 – 8pm

📍 WHERE: Mast Landing Brewing Co., 200 Lower Main Street, Freeport

✅ RSVP: Let us know you are coming by clicking the link in below!

07/13/2026

This past Friday's edition of Maine Calling ( Public) took a deep dive into all things Maine film - including this year's Maine International Film Festival! 📻🍿

With 22 Maine-based films featured at this year's festival, host Jennifer Rooks spoke with some of the talented in-state filmmakers behind them to learn more about their inspirations, their motivations for making films in Maine, and their vision for the future of the state's filmmaking industry.

Joining Rooks were Arabella Oz, director of Mallory's Ghost; Ricky Leighton, director of the documentary Downeast Hardcore: Stories from the Kave; and Katie Aselton, director of Their Town. The episode also featured VIP callers Mike Perreault, executive director of the Maine Film Center; Steve Lyons, director of the Maine Film Office; and young filmmaker Cally Gudroe, who is highlighting rural youth in a new film, Rural Dreams.

A HUGE shoutout to all of the Maine film industry professionals featured in this episode for contributing to such a thoughtful and engaging conversation! 👏🌲

To listen to Maine Calling and learn more about these amazing Maine filmmakers and their projects, click the link below!

We talk with Maine filmmakers about their work, and why the Maine film scene is gaining momentum

07/12/2026

Our dear MFA Co-President, Louise Rosen, attended and moderated two discussion sessions during the Sunny Side of the Doc Archive Day panel in La Rochelle, France! 🎥

The 37th edition of Sunny Side of the Doc was held from June 22 to 24 in La Rochelle, France. The yearly event serves as a global networking platform designed to connect filmmakers and foster industry dialogue, all in the pursuit of shaping the documentaries of tomorrow.

This year's Archive Day panel brought saw documentary filmmakers and participating companies unite to discuss the crucial role of preserving and licensing archival footage in the documentary storytelling industry. “It’s interesting [to see] how there is this geographic diversity, and a seasonal diversity to these events, which I believe points to the relevance of archive no matter what part of the world you’re in,” Louise stated. HUGE props to Louise for her work at this year’s panel! 👏

➡️ Follow the link in below to read more about Louise's work at this years Archive Day!

Archive is in the frame at SSD on June 24, as top US doccer Louise Rosen moderates two sessions of fundamental interest to attendees.

07/10/2026

Extra extra! Hot off the presses, and straight to your screen: MFA July 2026 News!

MIFF and MOFF; July 28 Economic Impact Report Release Event; Maine Filmmaker Spotlight of the one and only Mariah Larocque; Maine filmmakers around the globe, and so much more! Check it out, and subscribe to get it straight to your inbox.

https://www.mainefilm.org/news/july-2026-news

The Maine Film Association's mission is to advance the art, craft, and business of filmmaking in Maine. Our vision is to make Maine a great place to live and work as a media-maker.

06/16/2026

At the Maine Film Association, we take immense pride in the filmmaking talent and artistry our great state has to offer. That is why we are thrilled to launch a new series: the MFA Maine Filmmaker Spotlight! These spotlights will work to provide a deeper insight into the film- and media-making endeavors within our MFA community while also showcasing the breadth and depth of the Maine media workforce.

Kicking off our very first edition of the Maine Filmmaker Spotlight, we’ve interviewed Andrew Burgess of No Umbrella Media! Pictured below, Andrew is a born and raised Mainer, whose wonder for the world around him eventually led him to pursue a career in filmmaking. As the Creative Director at No Umbrella, Andrew gets to edit, shoot, and produce a wide variety of projects, from promotional videos to documentary films.

To learn more about this month’s Maine Filmmaker Spotlight in his own words, visit the MFA website, and be sure to stay tuned for future spotlights!

06/11/2026

Summer is finally on it's way in - and the June 2026 MFA newsletter is hot off the press! 🎥🌞

In case you missed it, here is our June 2026 MFA newsletter. Check out the link below for all the latest Maine film headlines, local screenings, and more! Here's a preview of what's inside:

🍿 The weather is getting warmer, and you know what that means: summer film festivals will soon be in full swing! Find out more information about the summer festivals in this months newsletter, and get your passes for the Maine International Film Festival (MIFF) from July 10-19 in Waterville, as well as the Maine Outdoor Film Festival (MOFF) from July 22 - 26 in Portland. All festival information is linked in this month's newsletter!

🌲 Introducing the June 2026 Maine Filmmaker Spotlight, a new monthly series working to provide our members with a deeper insight into the film- and media-making endeavors within our MFA community, while also showcasing the breadth and depth of the Maine media workforce. Check out this month's featured filmmaker by clicking the link below!

📍 Save the date! Join us on Tuesday, July 28, at Mast Landing in Freeport to learn about the findings of the 2026 Maine Film & Media Production Economic Impact Study, share your thoughts and impressions, and connect with colleagues from across the state. Find out more by clicking the link below!

The Maine Film Association's mission is to advance the art, craft, and business of filmmaking in Maine. Our vision is to make Maine a great place to live and work as a media-maker.

04/29/2026

SPECIAL SCREENING! 🍿 Phiphen Pictures and invite YOU to attend a special screening of the half-hour pilot episode of their new series, HAPPY TAILS!

HAPPY TAILS follows the journeys of shelter animals across Maine - from rescue to rehabilitation to forever home - while celebrating the dedicated humans who make second chances possible. This special screening will feature producer Chris Walters in attendance, with the first episode highlighting local animal shelter, Kennebec Valley Humane Society in Augusta, Maine.

Event details:

📍 Screening at: Mast Landing (200 Lower Main Street, Freeport, ME)
🕔 Happening on: May 6th, 5:00-7:30pm (ET)
🍻 Food and drink provided by: Nighthawk's Kitchen & Mast Landing Brewing Co.

To RSVP today, email [email protected] - we'll see you there!

04/20/2026

Filmmakers - we want to believe we can power our own social media campaigns to deliver both paid and organic engagement. Read this to understand the barriers you could be facing.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18nxCVRZyq/

04/10/2026

New state program for Maine filmmakers!🌲The Maine Film Office (MFO) has officially launched its Film in Maine Reimbursement Grant Pilot! 🎥💵

This new pilot program is intended to bolster the filmmaking industry in the state by demonstrating the economic benefits of filming in Maine. The grants distributed through this program will support the industry by providing specific reimbursements to visual media production companies who select Maine as the location for their film, television, or video production.

Details:

🎥 The MFO anticipates awarding two reimbursement grants of up to $350,000 per production (limit of one grant per company)
✅ Projects must have at least $1,000,000 in production and labor valuation
🌲 At least one grant to be awarded to a project with a storyline primarily set in Maine
⏳ Deadline is May 15, 2026

Applicants must first have or create an account with the Maine Film Office before submitting their application to the Film in Maine Reimbursement Grant Pilot. Submit YOUR film for consideration no later than May 15, 2026!

For further details, check out the link below! 👇

The Maine Film Office Film in Maine Reimbursement Grant Pilot is funded through the Maine Office of Tourism, Outdoor Recreation & Film. This pilot program is intended to stimulate filmmaking in the state and demonstrate the economic benefit of filming in Maine. The grants distributed through this pr...