In its 5th year, Portland’s Festival Champlain celebrates French language films from across the world
Maine’s Only French‑Language Film Festival Returns for Fifth Year
PORTLAND – From Monday, October 15 through Thursday, October 18, the Portland Museum of Art will host the fifth annual Festival Champlain, a gathering that has quickly become a highlight of Maine’s cultural calendar. The event, organized by the Alliance Française du Maine, will showcase eight feature films over four days, drawing cinema lovers from across the state and beyond.
A Growing Showcase
The festival began in 2022 with just six films shown over two days. This year the lineup has doubled, featuring three Canadian, three French, one Gabonese and one Tunisian feature. “We’re looking to speak to various communities within Maine, and if a film we think in general is relevant for the state of Maine, we’re going to choose that as well,” said Lisa Scali, executive director of the Alliance Française. “It’s a very unique event.”
Scali added that Festival Champlain reflects Maine’s deep ties to the French language. “Maine remains the state with the highest percentage of French speakers and people with French ancestry,” she noted, highlighting the festival’s role in celebrating that heritage while also reaching out to other Francophone communities.
Films That Resonate
Among the offerings is “Promised Sky,” a story set in Tunisia that follows an Ivorian pastor who takes in two women and, later, a young orphan shipwreck survivor. The film explores themes of community, relationships and immigration—issues that “are familiar to Mainers.” “I think this movie is important for everyone to see,” Scali said.
Festival organizers have also expanded programming beyond the screenings. Three of the eight films will be followed by discussions with directors or the Portland Museum of Art’s deputy director. “We’re trying to give audiences a chance to meet the people behind the stories,” Scali explained.
A gala reception on Saturday, October 17, will run from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at State Street Church in Portland’s West End. The event is free, but guests are asked to register in advance. In past years, the gala has welcomed figures such as Governor Janet Mills and representatives from French and Canadian consulates.
A Platform for Under‑Represented Voices
The festival’s international mix is part of an effort to expose Maine audiences to films that are rarely available elsewhere. “I really enjoy the Francophone African films because I don’t know those films, and I wouldn’t necessarily have access to them,” said Chelsea Ray, professor of French language and literature at the University of Maine at Augusta. She emphasized the importance of offering “different cultural perspectives” to viewers and students alike.
Ray, whose students in the Portland area have attended previous festivals, hopes the event will grow further. “It’d be great to grow it to make more films available at the University of Maine at Augusta because there is an interest in doing that,” she said.
Tickets and Access
Tickets are sold through the Alliance Française’s website. A festival pass—granting access to all eight films—costs $45 for non‑members and $30 for Alliance Française or Portland Museum of Art members. Individual films can be purchased for $10 general or $7 for members. Students from high schools and colleges may buy a $10 pass that covers three films, or a $5 individual ticket.
Every third Thursday of the month the Portland Museum of Art offers free admission to all exhibitions, so Thursday screenings are free of charge. For those looking to see a single film on a Thursday, no ticket purchase is necessary.
Festival Champlain promises to be a lively blend of cinema, conversation and community. Whether you’re a lifelong Francophone, a curious newcomer, or simply a lover of storytelling, the event offers a chance to discover voices from around the world in the heart of Maine. Tickets are available now, and registration for the gala can be completed online at the same time.
