CIFF XXI | September 11-14, 2025
Camden International Film Festival is celebrating its 21st edition next fall! CIFF will feature a slate of boundary-pushing documentary films and filmmakers from across the globe. The festival will take place in person from September 11-14th at various venues throughout Camden and Rockland, Maine.
At Points North, we believe that cinema, as a shared experience, builds community. The best way to get the full CIFF experience is by purchasing a pass. The pass levels are outlined on our box office page, choose your favorite to lock in your CIFF experience today!
Interested in supporting Points North and CIFF?
It is through the generosity of many that we are able to bring our programming to life. Donors who contribute $1,000+ get passes to CIFF and other perks. If you’re interested in donating, visit us here.
Press Credentialing Details
Press interested in covering the festival, email us at [email protected].
Industry Credentialing Details
Members of the industry who are interested in attending the festival, please fill out this application, and a member of our industry team will be in touch with you.
ABOUT CIFF
Submissions
Submissions to the 2024 Camden International Film Festival are now closed. If you have a project in development, make sure to check out our Artist Programs page for program updates and deadlines.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
CIFF will take place September 14–17, and will include in-person screenings at three venues – the Camden Opera House (our longtime homebase), the historic Strand Theatre, and Journey’s End (our pop-up cinema on Rockland’s waterfront). The Storyforms exhibition will return to the galleries of CMCA.
CIFF’s Virtual Festival will run from September 18–25. Audiences can enjoy selections from our slate of new and future award-winning films from the comfort of their own home—or screen—well before anyone else. Virtual screenings will be available to viewers in the United States only. Virtual Passes include access to a live recording of the Points North Pitch, an audience favorite!
The Camden International Film Festival has long taken place over the second weekend following Labor Day. Unfortunately, this year it coincides partially with Rosh Hashanah. To make sure that festival participants and attendees who are celebrating the holidays are still able to experience as much of CIFF as possible, we will be making the Points North Pitch available in our Virtual Festival. We are also actively coordinating with the Adas Yoshuron Synagogue in Rockland to support any visitors who might be looking to join in with in-person celebrations.
CIFF XVIII | 2022
The 18th edition of the Camden International Film Festival took place throughout venues in Camden, Rockport, and Rockland, Maine from September 15-18, 2022 and online from September 15-25, 2022.
Building off last year’s accessible, celebratory, and immersive in-person festival experience, we hosted documentary filmmakers and film lovers from across the globe and exhibited a slate of boundary-pushing films.
CIFF XVII | 2021
And the show went on. The 17th edition of the Camden International Film Festival was held throughout venues in Maine from September 16–19 and online from September 16-26, 2021.
The CIFF program featured 37 features and 33 short films from 30 countries! Check out our 2021 festival program below.
FILMS
FEATURES
SHORTS
TRAIL MAPS
Venues | 2022
CIFF Hub: 8 Winter Street, Rockland, ME 04841 (across from the CMCA) | Pass pickup + Merch!
Camden Opera House: 29 Elm Street, Camden, ME 04843
Journey’s End Marina: 120 Tilson Ave, Rockland, ME 04841 (follow Tilson Ave until the ocean! No parking on-site)
Shotwell Drive-In: 40 West Street, Rockport, ME 04856 (There will be a section of seats for those without vehicles)
Strand Theater: 345 Main Street, Rockland, ME 04841
Venues
Journey’s End: 120 Tillson Ave. Rockland, ME 04841
- A 12,000 square foot, highly-ventilated boat barn on the Rockland waterfront converted into a CIFF-style cinema lounge.
The Shotwell Drive-In: 40 West St. Rockport, ME 04841
- Open-air cinema for up to 85 cars.
Camden Opera House: 29 Elm St. Camden, ME 04843
- Limited to 240 people (50% of venue’s normal capacity) with increased airflow and a “comfortable spacing” policy.
Strand Theatre: 345 Main St. Rockland, ME 04841
- Currently has a 100 person limit. The Strand’s ventilation system has been upgraded with a new control module allowing pinpoint control of fresh air flow, UV light purification, and MERV-13 hospital-grade air filtration.
CIFF Hub: Winter Street Barn, across from CMCA, Rockland, ME 04843
The CIFF hub is for Passholder pick-up, Filmmaker and Industry Accreditation, and the purchase of merch.
SCHEDULE
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| 9:30–11:30 AM | Camden Opera House | FEATURE FILM: Name of Film Here |
| 12–1:30 PM | Strand Theater | PANEL: Name of Panel Here
Event Description here. More info typed here and sentences here to describe the event a little bit more |
| 3:30–5:30 PM | Farnsworth Museum | SHORT: Name of Film Here |
| 9:30–11:30 AM | Camden Opera House | FEATURE FILM: Name of Film Here |
| 12–1:30 PM | Strand Theater | PANEL: Name of Panel Here
Event Description here. More info typed here and sentences here to describe the event a little bit more |
| 3:30–5:30 PM | Farnsworth Museum | SHORT: Name of Film Here |
| 9:30–11:30 AM | Camden Opera House | FEATURE FILM: Name of Film Here |
| 12–1:30 PM | Strand Theater | PANEL: Name of Panel Here
Event Description here. More info typed here and sentences here to describe the event a little bit more |
| 3:30–5:30 PM | Farnsworth Museum | SHORT: Name of Film Here |
| 9:30–11:30 AM | Camden Opera House | FEATURE FILM: Name of Film Here |
| 12–1:30 PM | Strand Theater | PANEL: Name of Panel Here
Event Description here. More info typed here and sentences here to describe the event a little bit more |
| 3:30–5:30 PM | Farnsworth Museum | SHORT: Name of Film Here |
The 19th edition of the Camden International Film Festival will take place throughout venues in Camden, Rockport, and Rockland, Maine from September 14-17, 2023 and online from September 18-25.
Building off last year’s accessible, celebratory, and immersive in-person festival experience, we will host documentary filmmakers and film lovers from across the globe as we exhibit a slate of boundary-pushing films.
CIFF will announce its full slate of feature and short documentary films the week of August 21st.
SCHEDULE Thursday 16th Friday 17th Saturday 18th Sunday 19th
PASSES
INFO & FAQ
Thanks to our Midcoast arts, film and creative community we are able to partner with the following venues for our CIFF venues:
Camden Opera House
29 Elm St, Camden, ME 04843 | (207) 236-7963
Strand Theater
29 Elm St, Camden, ME 04843 | (207) 236-7963
Farnsworth Museum
29 Elm St, Camden, ME 04843 | (207) 236-7963
TICKETS To purchase tickets to an individual film, please click on the film, in our film section above, that you are interested in where you will find a purchase button either on the film rollover or on the individual film page.
IT TAKES AN ARMY…
CIFF’s unique combination of screenings, masterclasses, workshops, and special events would not be possible without the generosity and support of our outstanding volunteer teams. They love film, love our communities, and work tirelessly to create the best CIFF experience possible for all our attendees and guests.
As a CIFF volunteer, you’ll enjoy an unusual, behind-the-scenes experience with one of the top documentary film festivals in the world. You’ll meet new people and enjoy access to festival events. Most importantly, you’ll be part of the growing CIFF family!
If you want to work hard, have fun, and make the magic happen, please consider joining us for 2020!
HOW TO VOLUNTEER
Please follow the link below to register. Once your registration is processed, you will receive a welcome e-mail from us (check your bulk/spam/junk folder!) Questions? Please contact us at [email protected]
The Camden International Film Festival and Points North Forum take place in Camden, Rockport, and Rockland, Maine, three of the prettiest coastal towns in all of New England. The age-old Maine saying, “you can’t get there from here” need not apply to CIFF. There are plenty of options that will make your trip up the coast easy and enjoyable.
CIFF is reachable by plane, car, or bus.
BY PLANE
Daily flights from Boston to Rockland through Cape Air are easy, quite affordable, and offer one of the most spectacular views of the Maine coast. For more information, visit www.capeair.com. Make sure to rent a car from Budget upon arrival (207-594-0822).
BY AUTOMOBILE
From points south, follow I-95 through New Hampshire and into Maine. Get off at 295 N – Portland. Follow that until exit 28: Coastal Route 1N, Bath / Brunswick. Following Route 1 will take you directly through downtown Rockland, home of CIFF venues The Strand and Farnsworth Art Museum. Stay in Rockland, or continue 7 miles on Route 1 until you enter Camden.
BY BUS
Concord Trailways is one of the best bus experiences in the world. They provide movies, snacks, and water, and even a chance to experience a singing driver. Daily schedules from Boston’s South Station and Logan Airport and from Portland serve both Camden and Rockland. For more information, visit concordtrailways.com.
PARTNER HOTELS
Midcoast Maine has a number of places to stay during the festival. From award-winning boutique hotels to campgrounds, there are options for any kind of traveler. Below is a list of partner hotels and other references to help you plan your stay. Fall is a very busy time of year, so make sure to book your room early!
The Camden International Film Festival is grateful for the generosity of many local hotels, inns, and bed and breakfasts who support the festival by providing lodging for our attending guests. Make sure to mention you’ll be attending for CIFF. Many of these hotels offer discounts to attendees!
HAMPTON INN & SUITES ROCKLAND
207-594-6644
LINCOLNVILLE MOTEL
(207) 236-3195
250 MAIN
(207) 594-5994
ELMS OF CAMDEN
(207) 236-6250
INN AT OCEAN’S EDGE
(207) 236-0945
WHITEHALL
(800) 789-6565
BIRCHWOOD LODGE & FARMETTE
(207) 236-4204
CAMDEN MAINE STAY INN
(207)236-9636
HAWTHORN INN
(207)236-8842
CAMDEN HARBOUR INN
(207) 236-4200
COUNTRY INN
(888) 707-3945
CEDAR CREST INN
(207) 236-4839
For more info on all hotels, visit the Penobscot Bay Regional Chamber of Commerce
The location of CIFF’s Hub will be announced in early September. The Hub will be open starting Wednesday, September 15 for Passholder pick-up, Filmmaker and Industry Accreditation, and the purchase of merch and general tickets to screenings as available.
Major support provided by
