WE ARE thrilled TO ANNOUNCE OUR 2026 PROGRAM!
Saturday SEPTEMBER 12th, 2026
on the coast of Maine
Featuring four film programs, lunch, and a special conversation with filmmaker Ricky Leighton
As we began planning this year’s festival, we were excited to reveal a common thread that guides our program: Stories of connection, community, and JOY! We invite you to join us for a day that honors the delight in coming together with friends old and new to marvel at the universal nature of storytelling.
with special thanks to our host and lead sponsor
Maine Maritime Academy
“Castine Film Festival announces lineup: Community and connection are among this year’s themes” by Annie Means
Read about the Film Festival in The Rising Tide
Contact Sarah Carey with any media questions
Sarah@CastineFilmFestival.com
Please click HERE
for SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Castine is a village near Acadia National Park with a deep history of arts enrichment. For our 2026 festival, we are continuing to celebrate both emerging and established filmmakers of all ages, through both narrative and documentary stories. Our area features charming inns, shops, and restaurants, surpassed in beauty only by the striking landscape and extensive outdoor activities of our coast.
Please explore our website to learn more about visiting Castine and the Blue Hill Peninsula.
Do not hesitate to contact us for more information. We are happy to help curate your visit to the area.
UNDER THE ELMS AND BY THE SEA
UNDER THE ELMS AND BY THE SEA
welcome TO CASTINE
Our area has a deep connection to the arts, and we are excited to bring together a broad range of filmmakers and film enthusiasts to celebrate story through film.
Castine is located on the midcoast of Maine, and you can find us (by car) about an hour west of Acadia National Park, and less than an hour from the Bangor, Maine airport. The town has both year–round and summer residents, and is also the home of Maine Maritime Academy.
We have developed a festival guide to the area, featuring information about accommodations, dining, shopping, and non–festival activities for your stay. We will also be publishing a detailed schedule of the festival and a map of key festival locations, including parking areas and accessibility information. We are committed to ensuring a positive festival experience for all.
Visitors can tour the area by land or by water, learning about both the rich historical significance of the village and the cast of characters who have made Castine such a special place “under the elms and by the sea” for so many years.
for NEW ENGLAND filmmakers
If you are a filmmaker in New England, please send us a message using the contact form at the bottom of this page. We would love to connect!
Contact Us
Have questions or interested in learning more about the festival? Please submit a message, and we will reply shortly.
You can find terms and deadline information on our FilmFreeway page.
To reach Festival Director Sarah Carey, please send a note to sarah@castinefilmfestival.com
Thank you!