The Maine Film Office announced the start of two new competitions for Maine filmmakers. The office will accept submissions to the 2005 Maine Documentary Film Competition and the 2005 Maine Short Film Competition. Maine residents are invited to submit their works free of charge to both contests.

The contests are part of the annual Celebration of Maine Filmmakers’ program. The celebration offers film competitions, screenings and seminars that promote Maine filmmaking and help Mainers understand and appreciate the art.

During the past five years, the celebration has been a featured segment of the Maine International Film Festival in Waterville. This will continue.

Beginning next year, the celebration will be expanded as celebration screenings and seminars are taken throughout Maine.

Rules and submission forms for the Documentary Film and Short Film Competitions are available at www.filmin

maine.com/ds.html.

The Celebration of Maine Filmmakers’ program is a joint project of the Maine Film Office, the Maine Film Commission, the Maine Film and Video Association and the Maine International Film Festival.