WATERVILLE — The city has been awarded a $37,500 Special Event grant from the Maine Office of Tourism to enhance its marketing efforts to promote the Maine International Film Festival.

This funding will support a promotional campaign aimed at attracting more visitors to Waterville and positioning the city as a top cultural destination in Maine.

The marketing initiative will focus on expanding the festival’s reach through targeted digital outreach, engaging social media content and strategic media partnerships. A major emphasis will be placed on drawing audiences from major metropolitan areas like Boston and New York, encouraging overnight stays and increased visitor spending in the region.

To execute this vision, the festival has selected Adaptive Media, a digital marketing firm, to develop and implement its campaign strategy, according to a news release from Michael Hall, the city’s community development specialist.

“This is an exciting opportunity for Waterville to showcase what makes MIFF so special,” said Hall. “The festival has been a beloved tradition for nearly three decades, bringing incredible films and filmmakers to our community. This grant will allow us to share that magic with an even wider audience and show off all that Waterville has to offer — whether it’s our vibrant downtown, great local restaurants, or our passionate arts community.”

The campaign will also highlight the festival’s unique programming, connect with film enthusiasts nationwide, and drive tourism to Central Maine. It will also feature local hotels, businesses and cultural institutions, aiming to ensure that visitors have a memorable experience beyond the festival.

The marketing project is set to run through December, with a final report and evaluations to measure its impact and success.

For more information visit miff.org.

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