Maine Public is providing four opportunities to view the documentary A Moment of the Sun in April. The film is a feature documentary about Houlton, Maine, and how the town prepared for the 2024 total solar eclipse as tens of thousands of visitors traveled north to witness the event. The film follows the people of Houlton as they come together to host an influx of strangers and celebrate the rare experience of living in the path of totality.

According to co-director Tom van Kalken, in a news release, the broadcast came about after Laura Schenck, executive producer of Local Productions at Maine Public, saw the film at the Maine International Film Festival and selected it for the Maine Public Films series. The film has so far screened primarily at festivals, where it won Best Feature at both the Maine International Film Festival and the Maine Outdoor Film Festival. The Maine Public broadcast also has strong support from Houlton and Aroostook County businesses, with a large group of local underwriters helping bring the film to audiences across the state, according to the release.

“The eclipse only lasted a few minutes, but for the people of Houlton it became something much bigger," said the release. "It was a moment of pride, generosity, and community spirit that deserved to be remembered. We hope the film gives Mainers a chance to relive that extraordinary day and to see the warmth and resilience of northern Maine reflected back to them.”

Maine Public Broadcast Dates
Friday, April 3, 2026 at 1:00 AM
Saturday, April 4, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Sunday, April 5, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Monday, April 6, 2026 at 9:00 PM