News Center Maine interviewed Bates Professor of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies Jon Cavallero, along with students Shelter Gimbel-Sherr ’27 of Seattle and Nate Shore ’27 of Kennebunkport, Maine, about the 2026 Bates Film Festival. The festival ran from May 12 to 17 and was organized by Bates students in Cavallero’s Short Term course. “The basic idea is to have students involved in every aspect of the festival’s planning and execution,” Cavallero told News Center Maine, “and to create an event that’s free and open to the public.” This year’s festival featured over 45 films as well as panels of filmmakers, professors, and students, and included a focus on the work of Maine-based filmmakers and actors. 

Faculty Featured

Jonathan J. Cavallero

Professor of Rhetoric, Film, and Screen Studies