WATERVILLE -- Attendance at this summer's Maine International Film Festival broke all records, with nearly 9,400 admissions and a 4.4 percent increase over last year's numbers, festival Director Shannon Haines said.

"We have had several regular MIFF-goers approach us with concerns that attendance was down this year because the festival seemed calm compared to past years, but the truth is that numbers were up fairly significantly," Haines said.

Festival organizers said the festival, held July 11-20, also was the smoothest ever from an operational standpoint, despite the increased numbers.

The festival drew more than 60 filmmakers from all over the world -- more filmmakers than before. Haines said one of the reasons for the increase is that the festival partnered with Unity College to provide dormitory housing for festival guests.

"This year's array of guests really helped provide an extraordinary experience for festival moviegoers every day of the festival," said Beth Eisen, a festival programmer.

Jeremy Yaches, producer of the film, "In a Dream," sent a letter to Eisen's husband, Ken, who also is a festival programmer, praising the festival. Yaches' film, about a Philadelphia artist in crisis, took third place in the festival's Audience Favorite Award contest.

"It was an absolute pleasure, one of my favorite festival experiences of all time, without a doubt," Yaches' letter to Eisen says. "I was very impressed with the films I saw, loved the staff, the town, the venues, etc. ... I love how everything is centralized in just three or four buildings so the filmmakers and staff see each other all the time and grow close and friendly."

Alan Sanborn, the festival's technical guru, also reported a smooth 10 days.

"With the exception of one blown projector bulb that delayed one show a half hour, everything went great from a technical point of view and the sound system at the Opera House was easily the best it's ever been," he said.

The festival offered nearly 100 films representing the best of independent and international cinema, Haines said.

Of 44 feature-length films eligible for the festival's Audience Favorite Award, 37 received votes, she said.

The winner was "Phoebe in Wonderland," an American film starring Patricia Clarkson, Bill Pullman, Elle Fanning and Felicity Huffman.

The runner-up was "Romance and Cigarettes," a film by John Turturro, who was awarded this summer's Mid-Life Achievement Award.

Amy Calder -- 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com