Film Festival Announces the Start of Paddling Season in Maine
Waitsfield — The Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) continues its sponsorship of Rapid Media’s Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour 2014 in our region with an event in Portland with Maine Island Trail Association (MITA) on May 1 on the campus of the University of Southern Maine. The film festival showcases the best small boater films from around the world. Proceeds from the event support the Northern Forest Canoe Trail and Maine Island Trail Association. This showing is one of four screenings of the film festival that NFCT is hosting throughout New York and New England.
A silent auction to benefit the Maine Island Trail Association, sponsored in part by Maine Magazine and 98.9 WCLZ, will showcase high quality gear, tour and instructional packages, and original Maine art beginning at 6pm. A unique collection of auction items will be on hand, including a stand-up paddleboard, gift certificates to local restaurants, a variety of weekend getaways, sailing, kayaking, and whitewater rafting packages, selections from local artists, and much more. A cash bar and hors d’oeuvres will also be available.
This event will also feature the official 2014 release of Rising Tide Brewing Company’s Maine Island Trail Ale, an American ale released in partnership with MITA. Maine Island Trail Ale was first produced in 2013 to honor 25 years of the Maine Island Trail, and quickly became the fastest selling ale in Rising Tide Brewing Co. history, earning MITA more than $7,000 in donated proceeds. The partnership continues this year with the seasonal ale’s return, now in tallboy cans and 12oz bottles, in addition to draught availability at select bars and restaurants.
The Reel Paddling Film Festival is in its ninth year and features award winning films in 10 categories. The festival inspires people to explore rivers, lakes and oceans, push physical and emotional extremes, embrace the paddling lifestyle, and appreciate the heritage of wild places. Films will be selected from the 2014 Reel Paddling Film Festival entrants, with other selections from Off Center Harbor, MITA member and staff picks, and a short film from a local high school outing club.
The May 1 screening starts at 7pm in Hannaford Hall on the USM campus. Tickets for this event can be purchased for $12 adults/$10 students online in advance or $15 at the door.