Festival Champlain du Film Francophone / Champlain Film Festival
And That’s a Wrap! 🎬
What a weekend! The 2025 Festival Champlain, has come to a close — and what a resounding success it was.
From the opening night to the final screening, audiences filled the beautiful Osher Auditorium at the Portland Museum of Art, sharing in laughter, emotion, and reflection through a powerful lineup of French-language films from around the world. Each screening was a testament to the enduring appeal of cinema as a bridge between cultures - and to our community’s deep curiosity and openness to stories that connect us - tout en français.
Our Gala Reception was a true celebration - a joyful evening of conversation, friendship, delicious food and shared appreciation for art, language, and culture. The room was alive with energy, and the sense of community was palpable.
A highlight of the weekend was the panel discussion following the film "Ama Gloria", presented in partnership with In Her Presence. The thoughtful, heartfelt conversation that followed illuminated themes of the role of the seamstress, the strength of women, and the importance of clothing in all of life's moments — reminding us how film can spark dialogue and deepen understanding across cultures.
This weekend reminded us all why the Festival Champlain matters: it’s more than just a film festival. It’s a gathering of people united by a love of language, storytelling, and the cultural richness that French brings into our lives. It’s proof that film has the power to open minds, spark dialogue, and strengthen the ties that bind us.
To everyone who attended, volunteered, sponsored, or helped bring this event to life: merci. Your support and enthusiasm made this year’s festival our most successful yet.
Stay tuned — plans are already underway for next year’s Festival Champlain. We can’t wait to see you again!
2025 Film Schedule
Thursday October 16, PMA, Portland
3PM-4:35PM
Mambar Pierette (2023, Cameroon)
By Rosine Mbakam with Pierette Aboheu Njeuthat
93 minutes
Overview: A succession of customers come to Mambar Pierrette, the neighborhood seamstress and reliable confidant, who has her own strife to deal with as a single mother barely making ends meet. As she readies clothes for upcoming social events and the commencement of the school year, heavy rain threatens to flood her workshop – one of many misfortunes in which she will have to find ways to stay afloat. Director Rosine Mbakam's instincts as a documentarian are put to good use in this unique character study that foregrounds common struggles and bonds among women in Africa, often overlooked in mainstream cinema.
Friday October 17, PMA, Portland
3:45PM-5:45PM
En Fanfare (The Marching Band) (2024, France)
By Emmanuel Courcel with Benjamin Lavernhe, Pierre Lottin and Sarah Suco
104 minutes
Overview: When Thibaut learns of his potentially life-threatening illness, a blood compatibility test opens up unexpected horizons. An acclaimed orchestra conductor, he sets out to find his biological brother Jimmy, a factory worker whom destiny has prevented from becoming a musician. Their reunion leads to a musical journey as the town faces a factory closure.
6:30PM - 8:30PM
Festival Champlain Reception
EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES REQUIRE EXCEPTIONAL EFFORTS! The US Government shutdown has caused us to change the venue from the Custom House to State Street Church. The address is 159 State St between Pine St and Spring St. A quick and easy walk from the PMA with plenty of parking options.
Saturday October 18, PMA, Portland
11AM-12:30PM
Coco Farm (2023, Canada)
By Sébastien Gagné with Oscar Desgagnés, Joey Bélanger, Emma Bao Linh Tourné
89 minutes
Overview: Max is crestfallen when he has to close his garage-based “business” in Montréal and move to the countryside. Though he’s now closer to his cousins, the bustling life of a family farm is a shock to his city-kid existence. But not all hope is lost: when he discovers free range chickens in an abandoned barn, a new business plan is born. With the help of Alice, a social media savvy neighbor, a new animal-friendly egg farm takes off and brings the whole community together.
1:15PM-3:15PM
Bergers (Shepherds) (2024, Canada)
By Sophie Deraspe with Félix-Antoine Duval, Solène Rigot, Michel Benizri and David Ayala
113 minutes
Overview: Mathyas, a burned-out advertising executive from Montreal moves to Provence to become a shepherd, a way of life about which he knows absolutely nothing but is about to learn.
3:45PM – 5:20PM
Bernadette (The President’s Wife) (2023, France)
By Léa Domenach with Catherine Deneuve, Denis Podalydès, Michel Vuillermoz and Sarah Giraudeau
95 minutes
Overview: Bernadette Chirac expected to finally get the position she deserved when she arrived to the Elysée Palace because she had always worked behind her husband's back to elect him president. But when she’s set aside and judged for being too old-fashioned, she decides to make her own mark by becoming a major media figure.
Sunday October 19, PMA, Portland
12PM-1:25PM
Ama Gloria (2023, France/Cape Verde)
By Marie Amachoukeli-Barsacq with Louise Mauroy-Panzani, Ilça Moreno and Arnaud Rebotini
83 minutes
Overview: Cléo is six years old, has glasses and a dad - but has lost her mother to cancer. Fortunately, there is Gloria, her nanny, who loves her and whom Cléo adores. However, Gloria's mother has also died, and she must return to her native island of Santiago in Cape Verde to care for own children Cléo is shocked, and is only cheered up by the promise that she will be able to join Gloria in her village over the summer.
3PM-5:10PM
Finalement (2024, France)
By Claude Lelouch with Kad Merad, Elsa Zylberstein, Sandrine Bonnaire and Michel Boujenah
127 minutes
Overview: The latest (and possibly last) film from the legendary director Claude Lelouch. A lawyer suffering from a condition that prevents him from lying takes an epic cross-country road trip in France. What ensues is a musical fantasy blending trumpet and piano.
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