The Waldo Theatre is proud to announce its third annual Maine Artist Film Series, spotlighting the award-winning work of Ian Cheney, a celebrated documentary filmmaker and local to Midcoast Maine. This special three-part series will run throughout the summer and early fall, showcasing Cheney’s compelling and thought-provoking films that explore themes ranging from Maine’s working coast to global food culture.

The series kicks off on Thursday, July 17 at 7 p.m. with "The Long Coast," a moving portrait of Maine’s coastal communities and the people who depend on the sea. The film offers an intimate look at the changing relationship between Mainers and the ocean in an era of environmental and economic uncertainty. Event partners, Herring Gut Coastal Science Center and Aphrodite’s Oysters, will be on hand to educate and feed us!

On Thursday, Aug. 21 at 7 p.m., the series continues with "The Search for General Tso," a witty and insightful culinary detective story that traces the origins of one of America's most iconic Chinese dishes, revealing surprising truths about immigration, adaptation, and cultural identity.

Finally, on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m., The Waldo will screen "Thirteen Ways," Cheney’s lyrical and experimental film that invites viewers to see the world—and themselves—through a kaleidoscope of perspectives.

“We are thrilled to welcome Ian Cheney back to the Waldo and his own backyard for this series,” said Liz McGregor, film programmer at The Waldo Theatre. “Ian’s work is deeply thoughtful, often rooted in place, and his lens on Maine’s people and environment is both powerful and personal. This series is a celebration of a local artist whose impact reaches far beyond our state.”

Each screening will be followed by a conversation or Q&A with Ian, offering audiences a deeper dive into the filmmaking process and the stories behind the screen.

Tickets and more information are available at www.thewaldotheatre.org.