By Aidan Bergeron, Bates College Class of 2027
As the 2026 Bates Film Festival continues to develop, I am often reminded of the prior iterations of the festival that have gotten us to where we are today, this year being the 5th BFF. What started as a small event, held only on campus, has grown into something much more impactful for not just the students, but greater Maine as a whole.
The first Bates Film Festival took place in 2018, and as stated prior, there were only a select few spaces on campus where screenings and Q+As were held. By 2022, we were able to add venues in Freeport, ME, and two years later, we made an even bigger jump to Portland, ME. I interned for the festival in 2024, and witnessed the move to the big city firsthand. Portland allowed for an easy, walkable festival. We could go to SPACE gallery and see Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, then grab a slice of pizza at OTTO right next door, and then head over to the Portland Art Museum for a Q+A. The experience became a more immersive event, which is at the heart of what a film festival should be.
“This year’s festival stands on the shoulders of all that came before and it is always nice to acknowledge that. We hope our work adds to the history of the Bates Film Festival while also strengthening the foundation for future editions.”
In general, film festivals can sometimes be overwhelming with the amount of programming they offer. You simply cannot see everything, so you have to think hard about where you want your money to be best spent. Our festival is unique in that it is completely free and open to the public and always has been. That commitment feels especially important this year, since it ties into our mission statement of using the power of film and art to bring people together. The most straightforward way of doing that is by offering equal access to events, so eliminating an admission fee allows the audience to access all our festival has to offer without any additional stressors.
We have also been able to have meaningful discussions with an immensely rich pool of guest artists throughout the years, which has increased our visibility and generated more support. We have had the honor of hosting Academy Award, Emmy, and Grammy winning artists, among others. This year, our most recent guest announcement is Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin, a prominent advocate for the deaf and hard of hearing community.
This year’s festival stands on the shoulders of all that came before and it is always nice to acknowledge that. We hope our work adds to the history of the Bates Film Festival while also strengthening the foundation for future editions. We are honored to be a part of this rich tradition and are so excited to show you all how much the festival has grown, even just since 2024.
