CAMDEN — Points North Institute, home of the Camden International Film Festival (CIFF), brings the 5th edition of Cabin Fever Film Fest to the Camden Opera House on March 7 - 9, 2025.

Cabin Fever Film Fest will showcase an expanded program of new documentary films. Passes are $50 ($25 for students) and include access to all seven screenings. Walk up individual tickets ($10/$5 for students) will be sold as available before each film at the Camden Opera House box office.

“After the countless storms of the past few weeks, we think Mainers could use a reason to come in from the cold and gather with friends,” says Executive Director Elise McCave, in a news release. “This year's Cabin Fever line-up includes some real gems that we’re excited to bring to Midcoast for the first time. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you might even consider starting your own underground hot air balloon gang!”

This year’s mini festival will feature several films fresh from their premieres at Sundance Film Festival. Headlining films include the Opening Night screening of Deaf President Now!, which tells the story of the 1988 protest for Deaf leadership at Gallaudet University, the only Deaf university in the world. On Saturday night, Sally follows astronaut Sally Ride. She was the first American woman in space, but beneath her unflappable composure was a hidden romance and a lifetime of sacrifices. Audiences may remember filmmaker Christina Costantini’s previous film, Mucho Mucho Amor, from 2020’s Cabin Fever Film Fest. 

The Closing film on Sunday afternoon will be Every Little Thing, a portrait of a woman who has dedicated her life to nurturing wounded hummingbirds. Her journey reminds us that grace can be found in the smallest of acts and the tiniest of creatures.

Also screening throughout the weekend are: One To One: John and Yoko, an account of the first year John Lennon and Yoko Ono spent living in New York City; Balomania, an unforgettable film about the Brazilian illegal hot air balloon community; Speak, another 2025 Sundance premiere about youth participating in a public speaking competition; and the Academy Award-nominated Sugarcane, documenting the impact of residential schools on generations of Canadian first nations families. 

More information about all of the films is available at: https://pointsnorthinstitute.org/community/cabinfeverfilmfest/. 

DEAF PRESIDENT NOW!, Nyle DiMarco, Davis Guggenheim, 2025 

Presented with Open Captions | Appropriate for All Ages

Friday, March 7, 7pm 

1988 saw an historic student-led protest at Gallaudet University, where the Deaf community demanded the appointment of the university’s first Deaf president. Special pre-release screening courtesy of Apple TV+.

ONE TO ONE: JOHN AND YOKO, Kevin Macdonald, Sam Rice-Edwards, 2025 

Saturday, March 8, 10am  

Set in 1972 and featuring unseen archives, home movies, and restored footage, this intimate film explores John Lennon and Yoko Ono's world amid a turbulent era. Live virtual filmmaker Q&A.

BALOMANIA, Sissel Morell Dargis, 2024

Saturday, March 8, 1pm 

A secret society of giant hot air balloon makers in Brazil risk everything to create and fly their illegal masterpieces.

SPEAK., Jennifer Tiexiera & Guy Mossman, 2025

Appropriate for All Ages 

Saturday, March 8, 4pm 

Five top-ranked high school oratory students spend a year crafting spoken word performances with the dream of winning one of the world’s most intense public speaking competitions.

SALLY, Christina Costantini, 2025 

Co-presented by Maine Math & Science Alliance | Appropriate for All Ages 

Saturday, March 8, 7pm 

Sally Ride was the first American woman in space, but beneath her unflappable composure was a hidden romance and a lifetime of sacrifices. Special pre-release screening courtesy of Nat Geo.

SUGARCANE, Julian Brave Noisecat, Emily Kasse, 2025 

Sunday, March 9, 10am 

An investigation into abuse and missing children at an Indian residential school ignites a reckoning on the nearby Sugarcane Reserve. Nominated for a 2025 Academy Award.

EVERY LITTLE THING, Sally Aitken, 2024

Appropriate for All Ages

Sunday, March 9, 1pm

In Los Angeles, a woman dedicates her life to nurturing wounded hummingbirds. Her journey reminds us that grace can be found in the smallest of acts and the tiniest of creatures.

About Points North & Camden International Film Festival

Established in 2016, the Points North Institute is the launching pad for the next generation of nonfiction storytellers. Building on the success of the Camden International Film Festival, Points North’s mission is to bring together a unique, interdisciplinary community of filmmakers, artists, journalists, industry leaders, and audiences, forming a creative hub on the coast of Maine where new stories and talent are discovered, collaborations are born, and the future of nonfiction media is shaped. Programs include the annual Camden International Film Festival and Points North Forum, Recovery in Maine, as well as a year-round calendar of artist development initiatives that nurture the careers of diverse nonfiction storytellers and help them develop a stronger artistic voice. 

Founded in 2005 and now recognized as one of the top documentary film festivals in the world, the Camden International Film Festival (CIFF) brings the finest nonfiction cinema to the coast of Maine, showcasing documentary films and immersive works from around the globe each fall. The 2025 Camden International Film Festival, the 21st edition, will take place September 11-14.