Many film buffs and critics agree that the Maine International Film Festival (MIFF) is this summer’s official Mecca for movie lovers in New England. Featuring the best of American independent and international cinema, MIFF 2009 promises a rich tapestry of cinematic treasure from July 10-19 in Waterville, Maine.

During the ten day event guests will enjoy the rare opportunity to meet and speak with the visionaries behind the movies. What makes MIFF such a unique destination is the access to directors, producers, writers and artists who are in the trenches, taking risks and inspiring future generations of filmmakers.

MIFF is hosted at two unique Waterville venues. The Waterville Opera House (93 Main Street, 3rd Floor) is a 940 seat turn of the century theater with gold-leaf proscenium, air conditioning and modern projection equipment. This beautiful venue hosts films throughout the festival and is the site for Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Recently declared ‘The Best Place to See a Movie in Maine” and widely regarded for serving up the best popcorn in the North America, Railroad Square Cinema (17 Railroad Square) is one of Maine’s leading cultural centers that has promoted the best of independent, foreign and specialized films since 1978.

Each year MIFF recognizes key contributors of the independent film industry while providing a forum for panel discussions, informal Q&A sessions and an authentic glimpse into the art of cinema.

Event organizers announced that MIFF will present the critically acclaimed director and producer Arthur Penn with a Lifetime Achievement Award as part of this year’s celebration of cinema. Best known as the director of the iconic Bonnie and Clyde (1967), Penn amassed a huge body of work throughout the decades. He directed 8 different actors for Oscar-nominated performances. His long list of accolades include Tony and Oscar nominations for cultural masterpieces such as Alice’s Restaurant (1970) and The Miracle Worker (1962). MIFF will show a retrospective of Penn’s work, including Bonnie and Clyde, The Left-Handed Gun, Little Big Man, and Night Moves.

Opening this year’s festival at the Waterville Opera House on Friday, June 10th at 7pm is the world premiere of The Rivals. Award-winning filmmaker Kirk Wolfinger illustrates a passionate story about two towns in Maine, a struggling mill town in the North and an affluent suburb along he southern coast, both vying for the football State championship title. This all American story takes audiences to a place where football is everything and losing is not an option.

Wolfinger said, “It’s not just a film about Maine, It’s a film entirely by people who currently live in the State. Every cameraman, soundman, and PA who worked the shoots is from Maine. The editing team is comprised of Mainers. All the musicians, with the exception of two songs are from Maine. Even the sound design and mixing was done by ‘The Studio’ in Portland. As proud as I am of the film…the fact that we did it entirely in Maine is really something I’m thrilled about.”

Also spotlighted at this year’s festival is Portland, Maine native Kyle Rankin. Perhaps best known for co-directing The Battle of Shaker Heights through the 2nd season of HBO’s Project Greenlight, Rankin’s latest project is a film called Infestation. Shot in Bulgaria, this adrenaline induced fight for survival is a veritable treat for the imagination. The film will also be shown for one night at Skowhegan’s Drive Inn Theater, one of the few left in America.

Scheduled to unveil at MIFF this year is the highly-anticipated romantic comedy, (500) Days of Summer. Directed by Marc Webb, produced by Mark Waters and starring Joseph-Gordon Levitt and Zooey Deschanel, this sunny yet somber film features a rock solid cast and engaging script.

Founded in 1998, MIFF is a project of the Maine Film Center.

For more information please call (207) 861-8138, visit www.miff.org or email info@miff.org.