Sun, 06/02/2024 - 5:00pm

Mountain Queen. (Photo courtesy Points North)

ROCKLAND — On Thursday, July 11, the Points North Institute will host its annual CIFF Summer Party at the Strand Theatre, in Rockland, with a special pre-release screening of the acclaimed documentary Mountain Queen.

The CIFF Summer Party is Points North’s only annual fundraiser, and an opportunity to help support the Camden International Film Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary this fall. In addition to the screening, the evening will include a sneak peek of the 2024 film program, including a selection of trailers, live music, and special guests.

Fresh from the San Francisco International Film Festival and its premiere at Toronto International Film Festival, Mountain Queen follows the remarkable life of Lhakpa Sherpa, who as a girl denied an education, conceals her gender to work in the mountains, and became the first Nepali woman to summit Everest before immigrating to the U.S., raising children as a single mother, and climbing in pursuit of a better life.

“We are thrilled to share one of the first screenings of Mountain Queen with our neighbors here in Midcoast Maine – the community that makes CIFF possible,” says Sean Flynn, Points North Co-Founder and Program Director. “And we are deeply honored that Lhakpa Sherpa will be joining us for a discussion after the film. In so many ways, Lhakpa embodies the spirit of adventure, curiosity and love that have inspired our own exploration of documentary film over the past two decades.”

“This is an inspiring story of how one woman, in harmony with nature, uses grit and determination to overcome every obstacle life throws at her,” said Points North, in a news release.

Directed by CamdenIFF alum and longtime friend-of-the-festival, Lucy Walker. Mountain Queen was acquired by Netflix and is scheduled for release this fall.

Tickets are $30 and include a free drink.

The 20th edition of the Camden International Film Festival will take place September 12-15, 2024. More than sixty films from across the world will be presented at a number of venues throughout Camden and Rockland, Maine. Passes to CIFF are now on sale with early bird discount pricing through July 1.

For more information, visit https://pointsnorthinstitute.org/