RECOVERY IN MAINE

Using documentary film and community discussion to confront the opioid crisis.

Made possible by support from

About the Program

Established in 2018, Points North’s Recovery in Maine program is a statewide series of documentary film screenings that spark public discussions about substance use disorder, the recovery process, and our collective response to the opioid epidemic. Over the past six years, the program has produced over 70 free screenings in communities across Maine, reaching thousands. All screenings are free and open to the public, and most are followed by a panel with a diverse set of individuals involved in the recovery community, including characters in the featured films, family members, film directors, clinicians, and law enforcement representatives. The 2023 Recovery in Maine program was made possible in partnership with the State of Maine and with additional support from Camden National Bank.

Upcoming Events

Screening of QUEER VOICES on April 4th, 2025 at 5:30pm the City Theater in Biddeford Presented in Partnership with Art of Biddeford.

All screenings are FREE of entry.

Friday, 6/14: Houlton, Maine
FREE Recovery in Maine Film Screening | Screening of Two Short Documentaries, and a Community Conversation @ Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope, Houlton, ME | Doors: 5PM, Films: 5:30PM. Co-presented with Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope

Friday, 6/28: Portland, Maine
Portland Premiere of Recovery in Maine: Queer Voices | Film Screening, Potluck Dinner, and a Q&A with Participants Featured in the Film @ Equality Community Center, Portland, ME | Doors: 4:30PM, Films: 5:00PM. Co-presented with Equality Community Center

We plan to hold more screenings and discussions through our Recovery in Maine program. We also hope to produce more films! Please sign up for our email newsletter or follow us on social media to receive alerts.

Can’t attend our scheduled events, or want to bring these films to your own community? Fill out our screening request form to let us know if you’d like our Recovery in Maine program to come to your town!

Email Newsletter

Made possible by support from

About the Films

In 2020, in partnership with the State of Maine, Points North produced a short film highlighting a community’s response to the opioid epidemic in Washington County. The 2021 program will see two more short films created as part of this program, also featuring Maine communities and created by Maine-based filmmakers. The first of these films, RECOVERY IN MAINE: WASHINGTON COUNTY, is a story of relentless hope, resilience, and recovery — the kind of recovery that is only possible when a community sets stigma aside and shows up to meet people where they are.

Produced by FRAME Strategies

Are you interested in hosting or organizing a screening with us? Please fill out our Screening Request form!

Request a Screening

Recovery in Maine has been developed in partnership with the State of Maine, MaineHealth and Maine Behavioral Healthcare, with major support from Camden National Bank and The Fledgling Fund. The program is part of the Points North Institute’s ongoing Points North Impact initiative, which kicked off in 2013 with the Aging in Maine series.

About our featured film, RECOVERY BOYS
In the heart of America’s opioid epidemic, four men attempt to reinvent their lives and mend broken relationships after years of drug abuse. RECOVERY BOYS, from Academy Award nominated director Elaine McMillion Sheldon, is an intimate look at the strength, brotherhood, and courage that it takes to overcome addiction, laying bare the internal conflict of recovery.

Date TBD, HEROIN(E) & THE CLINIC
Hancock County Jail, Ellsworth

Date TBD, RECOVERY BOYS
Healthy Oxford Hills, Oxford

All screenings are FREE and open to the public. Seating is limited, so please register for your spot today!

The Fall 2019 leg of the Recovery in Maine tour was developed with the support and partnership of the State of Maine and Marshall Communications.

Past Events

Recovery in Maine: Short Films & Panel Discussion

July 8, 2018*
The Strand Theater, Rockland

July 8, 2018*
Islesboro Community Center
*double-feature of HEROIN(E) and RECOVERY BOYS w/ community potluck

July 9, 2018*
Smith Hokanson Memorial Hall, Vinalhaven

July 10, 2018*
The Colonial Theatre, Belfast

July 11, 2018*
Camden Opera House

November 29, 2018
Portland Museum of Art

December 1, 2018
Smitty’s Cinema, Biddeford

December 2, 2018*
Frontier, Brunswick

December 2, 2018*
Nasson Community Center, Springvale

December 3, 2018*
Sanford Regional Technical Center, Sanford

December 3, 2018*
Portland High School

January 29, 2019
Lincoln Theater, Damariscotta

February 6, 2019 
Weather Discovery Center, North Conway, New Hampshire

February 10, 2019
Boothbay Region High School, Boothbay Harbor

March 20, 2019 
Railroad Square Cinema, Waterville

April 18, 2019 
University of Maine at Farmington

June 11, 2019 
Pittsfield Community Theatre, Pittsfield

October 24, 2019
Rangeley Lakeside Theater, Rangeley 

October 27, 2019
Kezar Falls Theater, Porter

October 29, 2019
Kennebunk High School, Kennebunk

November 6, 2019*
Penobscot Theater Company, Bangor

November 7, 2019
Katahdin Higher Education Center, East Millinocket 

November 8, 2019
Cary Medical Center, Caribou 

November 12, 2019
Washington County Community College, Calais 

November 13, 2019
University of Maine at Machias

November 19, 2019
The Star Theatre, Kittery

December 4, 2019
Opera House Arts, Stonington 

December 11, 2019
The Gem Theater, Bethel 

January 14, 2020
Mattanawcook Academy Library, Lincoln

January 15, 2020
Downeast Recovery Support Center, Calais

June 10, 2021
The Shotwell Drive-in, Rockport

June 23, 2021
The Saco Drive-in, Saco

July 1, 2021
The Skowhegan Drive-in, Skowhegan

July 15, 2021
Virtual Screening in conjunction with the State of Maine Opioid Response Summit

November 4, 2021
The Westbrook Performing Arts Center, Westbrook

November 5, 2021
The Portland Museum of Art, Portland

November 17, 2021
Points North Shorts at the Maine State Prison, Warren

December 9, 2021 
The Bangor Arts Exchange, Bangor

May 21, 2023 
First Parish Congregational Church, Gorham

June 23, 2023 
Hannaford Hall, USM, Portland

October 24, 2023 
Waterman’s Community Center, North Haven

November 16, 2023
Franco Center, Lewiston

February 24, 2023
Hannaford, Hall, University of Southern Maine, Portland
Special Guest : Governor Janet Mills 

January 21, 2024
Maine Film Center, Waterville

March 17, 2024
Colonial Theater, Belfast

May 5, 2024
Bangor Area Recovery Network, Brewer

June 14, 2024
Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope, Houlton

June 28, 2024
Equality Community Center, Portland

October 22, 2024
Thomas Library, Cape Elizabeth

March 8, 2025
Colby College Ostrove Auditorium, Waterville

March 13, 2025
Peaks Island Community Center, Peaks Island

Major Support provided by

Additional Sponsors