Camden International Film Festival Announces 2025 Lineup

Camden, Maine, August 21, 2025

News Summary

The Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) will showcase major documentary works from September 11–14, 2025, in Camden, Maine. The 21st edition includes world premieres from celebrated filmmakers, a masterclass program, and competitive awards emphasizing innovation in documentary cinema. Notable films like ‘Love+War’ and ‘Orwell: 2+2=5’ are set to screen, alongside the introduction of the Ben Fowlie Audience Award with a $10,000 prize. CIFF continues to reflect its commitment to both established and emerging voices in the industry.

Camden, Maine

The 21st edition of the Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) will take place from September 11–14, 2025 in Camden, Maine, featuring major documentary works, world premieres, and a masterclass program. The festival lineup includes new work by Academy Award winners and nominees, multiple premieres from international filmmakers, and competitive awards that highlight documentary innovation and cinematic vision.

Top-line details

CIFF 2025 will present the new film Love+War by Oscar winners Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin, and will screen Orwell: 2+2=5, a collaboration between Oscar winner Alex Gibney and Oscar nominee Raoul Peck. The festival will also premiere Nuestra Tierra, the first documentary feature from acclaimed Argentinian director Lucrecia Martel. Other world premieres include the multimedia personal essay Ki-Bé -Giš and the short film Robert and June (and all the time in the world) directed by Jem Cohen.

Opening night and programming focus

CIFF opens with the Maine premiere of Come See Me in the Good Light, a documentary about poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley that has been recognized at Sundance and Hot Docs. The festival’s program emphasizes themes of resilience and empathy in the face of global upheaval, assembling films that explore human experience, social challenges, and artistic practice.

Masterclass, awards, and competition strands

A masterclass featuring the creative team behind Orwell: 2+2=5 will be offered as part of the festival schedule. CIFF will present two primary competition strands: the Harrell Award and the Cinematic Vision Award. In addition, the festival has introduced a new audience prize, the Ben Fowlie Audience Award, which will honor CIFF’s founder and carry a $10,000 cash prize.

Curation, leadership, and organizational changes

The 2025 lineup was curated by CIFF artistic director and Points North Institute co-founder Sean Flynn, with senior programmers Milton Guillén and Zaina Bseiso, and festival manager cam howard. This year marks the first CIFF under the oversight of Elise McCave, the new executive director of Points North Institute.

Sponsors and institutional support

Headlining sponsors for the festival include YETI®, National Geographic Documentary Films, the RandomGood Foundation, and the deNovo Initiative. Support from these partners contributes to program development, guest presentations, and award funding.

Complete lineup and thematic scope

The full 2025 CIFF lineup comprises documentary features, shorts, and multimedia pieces from around the world. Films selected for this year’s program address a diverse range of subjects and storytelling approaches, reflecting both urgent contemporary issues and intimate personal narratives. The festival’s selections aim to showcase documentary cinema’s capacity to illuminate complex subjects and foster audience engagement.

What to expect on-site

Attendees can expect screenings, panel discussions, a masterclass, and competitive award presentations across the festival’s four-day run. The program highlights new feature debuts, premieres, and films recognized at major international festivals. The new Ben Fowlie Audience Award adds a public voting element tied to a substantial monetary prize.

Context and significance

As the festival’s 21st edition, CIFF continues a multi-decade focus on nonfiction cinema and community engagement. The selection of high-profile filmmakers alongside emerging voices demonstrates the festival’s dual commitment to established documentary practitioners and new cinematic perspectives. Organizational leadership changes and the introduction of a named audience award indicate ongoing institutional evolution and renewed emphasis on audience participation.

Key items at a glance

• Dates: September 11–14, 2025
• Location: Camden, Maine
• Opening film: Come See Me in the Good Light (Maine premiere)
• Notable premieres: Love+War; Nuestra Tierra; Ki-Bé -Giš; Robert and June (and all the time in the world)
• Masterclass: Creative team behind Orwell: 2+2=5
• Competition strands: Harrell Award; Cinematic Vision Award
• New audience prize: Ben Fowlie Audience Award — $10,000
• Curators: Sean Flynn, Milton Guillén, Zaina Bseiso, cam howard
• Executive Director: Elise McCave (first year overseeing CIFF)
• Headlining sponsors: YETI®, National Geographic Documentary Films, RandomGood Foundation, deNovo Initiative

FAQ

When and where is CIFF 2025?

CIFF 2025 takes place in Camden, Maine, from September 11 through September 14, 2025.

Which notable films will screen at the festival?

Notable films include Love+War by Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin; Orwell: 2+2=5; Nuestra Tierra by Lucrecia Martel; Ki-Bé -Giš; Robert and June (and all the time in the world); and the opening Maine premiere, Come See Me in the Good Light.

What awards are part of the festival?

The festival features the Harrell Award, the Cinematic Vision Award, and the new Ben Fowlie Audience Award, which includes a $10,000 cash prize.

Who curated the 2025 lineup?

The lineup was curated by Sean Flynn, with senior programmers Milton Guillén and Zaina Bseiso, and festival manager cam howard.

Who is leading Points North Institute this year?

Elise McCave is the executive director overseeing Points North Institute for the first time in 2025.

Are there educational events or masterclasses?

Yes. A masterclass involving the filmmakers behind Orwell: 2+2=5 is part of the CIFF program, along with panels and other industry events.

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Additional Resources

• Pen Bay Pilot: Camden International Film Festival
• Tehran Times: DMZ International Documentary Festival
• Deadline: Camden International Film Festival Lineup
• Variety: Women and the World Film Festival Jury
• Travel and Tour World: Asian American International Film Festival
• Wikipedia: Camden International Film Festival
• Google Search: Camden International Film Festival
• Google Scholar: Camden International Film Festival
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Camden International Film Festival
• Google News: Camden International Film Festival

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