Get ready for a wicked cool hometown celebration as A Moment in the Sun returns to where it all began! Fresh off winning Best Feature Film at the 28th Annual Maine International Film Festival, this powerful documentary about Houlton’s extraordinary effort to prepare for the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse is making its big-screen debut at Temple Theatre.
The red carpet world premier kicks off on Friday, September 5, with directors Mia Weinberger and Thomas van Kalken in attendance for a special Q&A after the film. This isn’t just a movie—it’s a love letter to the vision, determination, and heart of a small Maine town that dared to dream big. Whether you lived it or heard about the Maine Eclipse, you won’t want to miss this cinematic tribute to what makes Houlton shine.
🎟️ Showings run through September 11 at Temple Theatre in Houlton, Maine. Tickets are available now at templehoulton.com/tickets. Let’s pack the house and relive our moment in the sun.
Let’s celebrate this shining moment—for all of us—together.
· Title: A Moment in the Sun
· Directors: Mia Weinberger & Thomas van Kalken
· Genre: Documentary
· Country: USA / Australia
· Running Time: 1:16:58
· Production Year: 2025
· Website & Social: amomentinthesunmovie.com| @amomentinthesun
“We were drawn to this story not just because of the eclipse,” says co-director Mia Weinberger, “but because of the people we met while we were up there. The four characters we ended up following included a local astronomer who shared his first eclipse with his late husband in 1997, a civic planner who had been preparing for this day for almost 3 years, a freshly minted entrepreneur with 800 'eclipse t-shirts' to sell and a couple who said 'I do' right at the moment of totality." Weinberger added "the full gamut!"
Shot entirely on location in Aroostook County and co-produced between the U.S. and Australia, the film captures the four personal stories that took place in the lead up to the day of the eclipse, how they all intersect and the joint feeling of communal pride that emerged as Houlton embraced its unexpected moment in the sun.
“At its core, this film is about the human stories that take place around us all around us, all the time” adds co-director Thomas van Kalken. “There’s something incredibly moving about watching a small town of a few thousand people rise to meet the moment and welcome tens of thousands of strangers”
What started as a story about an astronomical event quickly became something more emotional and personal. For the New York based film-makers this project became a way to document not just a fleeting moment on a sunny Monday afternoon in Northern Maine, but a lasting portrait of a community coming into its own. It’s a film that celebrates the wonder of looking up, and the warmth of looking around.
A Moment in the Sun marks the directorial debut for both Weinberger and van Kalken.
Aroostook County hosts a variety of vibrant events throughout the year. From the world-renowned Can-Am Crown International Sled Dog Race in winter to the lively Northern Maine Fair in summer, there's always something exciting happening. Other highlights include the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, Potato Blossom Festival, and the Scandinavian Houlton Arts and Crafts Fair. These events celebrate the region's culture, heritage, and natural beauty, offering unforgettable experiences for locals and visitors alike.
Places to go, things to see and what to do—all neatly laid out. Begin your adventure with a guidebook packet tailored to fit your needs, ensuring that the only surprises during your trip are the good ones.
Take us on your Aroostook adventure and mark new trails when you share #VisitAroostook on your shots and videos. No one explores quite like you!
