SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine — Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) will present the 16th annual Maine Mayhem Film Festival, a showcase of original short films created by second-year students in the College’s Communications and New Media Studies (CNMS) program.
What began in 2011 as a student-led effort by CNMS Professor Corey Norman and student Jimmy Crocco has grown into a must-see event for film enthusiasts across Maine. The festival offers students a real-world opportunity to write, direct, produce and premiere original films as part of their capstone experience, reflecting the program’s emphasis on hands-on learning and professional-level production.
This year’s festival will feature eight short films alongside 15 micro shorts, highlighting a wide range of storytelling styles and creative voices from across the CNMS program.
Screenings will take place at two locations:
- Thursday, May 7 — Nickelodeon Cinemas at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. BUY TICKETS
- Friday, May 29 — City Theater at 6 p.m. BUY TICKETS
An encore screening at the Portland Museum of Art will be announced following the premiere.
“The Maine Mayhem Film Festival is a powerful example of how Southern Maine Community College prepares students to turn their creativity into meaningful, real-world experience,” SMCC President Kristen Miller said. “These students are not only telling compelling stories, they are also building the skills and confidence that will serve them in Maine’s creative economy and beyond.”
“The Maine Mayhem Film Festival represents the culmination of two years of hard work, creativity, and collaboration,” Corey Norman, CNMS professor, said. “Students take full ownership of their films, from concept to final cut, and the result is a professional-level showcase that continues to grow each year.”
The festival has become a signature event for SMCC, drawing audiences from across the region and celebrating the next generation of filmmakers. It also reflects the College’s broader commitment to experiential learning, giving students opportunities to build portfolios and gain industry-relevant experience before graduation.
Please follow the Maine Mayhem Film Festival student-led Facebook page.
Visit https://www.smccme.edu/mayhem to learn more about the Maine Mayhem Film Festival.