University of New England

Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Films begin at: 7:15 PM, be sure to arrive early to get a spot!
Admission: This event is free to the campus community and general public.
Location: On the green outside Ripich Commons, University of New England, Biddeford Campus. 11 Hills Beach Rd, Biddeford, Maine 04005
Parking: Park in either of the lots on Hills Beach Rd.
Co-produced by: University of New England

Program Notes:

• The film program will last about ninety minutes.
• Please bring your own camp chair and/or blanket.
• Other useful items to bring:
  • A headlamp, warm clothing, picnic lunch and bug dope.

*Film Program:

THE PROVING GROUND | 14.15 minutes | by Josh Bogardus, Dan Dunn | from: United States | Short synopsis: Every ski season, Mount Washington sees an average of 25 life-threatening sliding falls. The Proving Ground is a short film from Warden Co., produced in partnership with the Mt. Washington Avalanche Center Foundation, exploring the dangers of recreating on the mountain that go beyond avalanche risk alone – told through the stories of those who have survived, and those who tragically have not.
OLD LADIES AGAINST UNDERWATER GARBAGE | 15 minutes | by Liz McGregor | from: Maine | Short synopsis: Old Ladies Against Underwater Garbage follows Susan Baur, the 85-year-old leader, and her crew of fearless women as they defy limits, protect the environment, and rediscover wonder and joy through water and community. A reminder that adventure and activism know no age.
THE BOOK OF GEORGE | 15.5 minutes | by Danny Schmidt | from: United States | Short synopsis: The Book of George traces the unlikely path of George McKenzie Jr., from a life shaped by violence to a career photographing the natural world. Now a mentor and guide, he brings young people into spaces they were never told they belonged.
THE MARKS WE LEAVE | 6 minutes | by Mitchell Milbauer | from: United States | Short synopsis: The Marks We Leave is a short six-minute documentary that follows Bozeman-based artist Hailey Hosken as she creates a painting inspired by her experience climbing in the Gallatin Canyon; specifically the most prominent feature, Spare Rib. The film explores the deep connection between Hailey’s art and the landscape around her, showing how her time outdoors shapes the way she approaches her paintings.
WILD RIDE | 6.2 minutes | by Allie Rood | from: United States | Short synopsis: This is a story about women who don’t hold back—gritty, hard charging, and completely in their element. Sunny, Mo, and Galen are leading the second annual Women’s Snowmobile Clinic, drawing riders from across Alaska to take control of their sleds and their confidence.
FISH FOR THE FUTURE | 5.03 minutes | by Matthew Benton | from: United States | Short synopsis: At the beginning of 2025 the Palisades fire ravaged the Santa Monica Mountains in Los Angeles. In the aftermath, conservation biologists and volunteers scramble to rescue one of the last endangered steelhead trout populations in the region before an upcoming rainstorm. The team has a short window to save as many fish as possible as mudslides threaten to wipe out their habitat.
MAN IN THE WAVE | 28.5 minutes | by Greg Shea | from: Massachusetts | Short synopsis: Man in the Wave is an intimate portrait of a New England engineer who unexpectedly finds purpose, connection, and healing through surf photography—after a life-altering diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. As he wades into the ocean with his camera, he captures the quiet rituals of a tight-knit surf community while navigating the slow progression of his illness. Told through stunning imagery and deeply personal interviews, the film explores resilience, identity, and the quiet power of showing up.