WATERVILLE -- The 12th annual Maine International Film Festival promises not only a wide variety of films this summer, but also a compelling lineup of guests.

The festival, which draws thousands of film enthusiasts from all over the world, opens July 10 and continues through July 19.

"There are movies from 18 countries, and the Maine (film) presence is bigger than ever," said Ken Eisen, a festival programmer. "We've got a strong Québecois presence -- wonderful, gorgeous films that just sort of fell our way."

Eisen and other organizers work year-round to bring what they characterize as the best of American independent and international films to Railroad Square Cinema and the Waterville Opera House during the festival's 10-day run.

Patrons get to interact with filmmakers including directors, producers, actors and writers, and attend receptions and other special activities.

This year, director Arthur Penn of "Bonnie and Clyde" fame will receive the festival's Lifetime Achievement Award. His film, "Little Big Man," also will be shown July 15.

Opening night on July 10 promises a special treat when the Maine-made film "The Rivals" will be shown. The film is about the rivalry between high school football teams from Rumford and Cape Elizabeth, but is more than that; it is a film about Maine and Maine people.

The film came unsolicited, as some of the best films often do, and it was a surprise, Eisen said.

"This wasn't on our radar," he said. "It's a terrific film. We're really happy to have it. It's just a phenomenal film and the fact that it's all made in Maine makes it even more so."

Festival Director Shannon Haines said the selection of Maine films includes those shot in Maine and those made by Maine natives who have moved elsewhere.

Short films and feature films, including the newly-restored "Carousel," shot mostly in Boothbay Harbor and featuring Shirley Jones and Gordon MacRae, will be shown.

"I think we have a great Maine showcase this year," Haines said.

A mix of music events also makes the upcoming festival exceptional, according to Haines and Eisen. Audiences on July 13 will see the U.S. premiere of the film "Redemption Song," about jazz violinist Billy Bang's return to Vietnam many years after he served in the military there -- but this time with his violin instead of a weapon, according to Eisen. Bang, who has been to Waterville three times before, met with Vietnamese people and played music in Vietnam, he said.

"It's just a wonderful movie about healing and redemption," Eisen said.

Bang will perform a violin concert after the movie, he said.

Another jazz musician, bassist Charlie Haden, will bring his film "Charlie Haden: Rambling Boy," to the festival. Haden, who at age 2 sang on his parents' bluegrass and old-time music radio show in Iowa, went back to his roots to produce music for his most recent album, the Grammy Award-nominated "Rambling Boy."

"He came full circle in a way," Eisen said. "This (film) is a story of his life."

"72 Musicians," a documentary about independent bands, also will be shown. Director Robert Moczydlowsky and producer Nick Tamburri will be at the festival, Haines said. The Architects, a band featured in the film, will perform downtown at Mainely Brews, she said.

Adding to the unusual mix this season is "Automorphosis," a film about interactive art cars. Filmmaker Harrod Blank will bring his camera van, a mobile work of art, to Waterville and will park it throughout the city while he is here, Haines said.

"I think it's always exciting when we incorporate other art forms into the festival," she said. "I think it's part of what makes the festival."

Among other Maine-related films is "Of Blood and Lost Things," written by John Connolly of Portland and featuring private investigator Charlie Parker.

"The movie is almost entirely shot in Maine, even though it's an Irish-made film," Eisen said. "(Connolly)'s going to be here on opening night. We're off to a big bang on two fronts Friday (the 10th)."

Saturday, July 18, will feature the Maine Student Film & Video Festival. The closing-night film on July 19 is "Dirt," being shown as part of the festival's "Green Day," featuring films having to do with ecology and the earth, healthful eating, herbs and related issues.

"It's just sprightly and funny and engaging," Eisen said of "Dirt."

He said festival programmers receive more than 200 unsolicited submissions of films for the festival per year and screen each one.

"Over 500 movies are looked at before we go to the film festival selection," he said. "Beth (Eisen, Ken Eisen's wife, also a programmer) and I look at 300."

A project of the Maine Film Center, the festival is sponsored by several businesses and institutions including Colby College, Bangor Savings Bank, Shadow Distribution, Holiday Inn, Let's Talk Language School, Maine Public Broadcasting Network, Unity College, Maine Film Office, Morning Sentinel and Kennebec Journal, Railroad Square Cinema and Waterville Opera House.

Amy Calder -- 861-9247

acalder@centralmaine.com