2025
WMPG Presents: A Double Feature of Community & Belonging
April 1st 2025
Talbot Hall, Luther Bonney, University of Southern Maine at 6pm
An Extraordinary Place directed by Tom Bell
34 minutes
While many documentaries focus on societal challenges, this film highlights a solution: the transformative power of volunteerism in creating joy, meaning, and belonging. It celebrates diversity’s role in fostering strong, connected communities and offers a behind-the-scenes look at WMPG’s inclusive ethos, where shared purpose connects individuals.
The film has garnered widespread recognition, including “Best Short Film” at the 2024 Maine International Film Festival and “Best Maine Film” at the 2024 Maine Outdoor Film Festival, along with honors at festivals in England, Italy, Los Angeles, Spain and Toronto.
Courts of Belonging directed by Santiago Tijerina
A documentary highlighting the futsal court in Kennedy Park. This compelling documentary explores how the South American-originated sport of futsal fosters community among immigrant and refugee residents in East Bayside, one of Maine’s most diverse neighborhoods.
October 9th – Maine Public will air the film on television
- Barcelona Indie Awards, Barcelona, Spain (Best Short Documentary)
- Barcelona – Oct 2025
2024
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Original Thinkers Film Festival, Telluride, CO
- Las Vegas International Film & Screenwriting Festival, Las Vegas, NV
- Panorama Internatioanl Indie Film Festival, Porto, Portugal
- Golden Gate International Film Festival, Cupertino, CA
- MegaFlix Movie Awards, Standish, England, UK (Gold Award)
- Royal Starr Film Festival, Birmingham, MI
- Courtyard Independent Film Festival, Naples, Italy (Best Editing)
- Toronto Indie Shorts, Toronto, Canada (Best Documentary)
- June 20th, New York True Venture Film Festival
Screening, NYC - June 21st, Panorama International Indie Festival, Prague, Czech Republic
- July 4th, Jersey Shore Film Festival in New Jersey (Winner – Best Documentary – Human Interest)
- July 20th, Maine International Film Festival (Best Short Film)
- June 15th, International Motion Picture Awards in Toronto
- July 25th, Maine Outdoor Film Festival Portland, ME (Best Maine Film)
- July 27th Chain NYC FILM Festival, 4th Floor, Chain Theatre, 312 W 36th St, NY
- August 4th, Brooklyn International Short Festival, Semi Finalist
- Sept 15th, Camden International Film Festival
- September 26th 2.15pm Worcester Film Festival, UK (Best Documentary)
- Saturday, November 2nd 2-6pm –Friends of Casco Bay, Portland, ME
- November 2024, Nov 8 AFIN International Film Festival, Brisbane, Australia Nominated Best Documentary Short Subject
- November 16, 2024 St Louis International Film Festival, St Louis, MO
- Dec 12th at 6.30pm – Maine Historical Society, Portland, Maine