Film about Portland's WMPG premieres April 1

Filmmaker Tom Bell from Yarmouth has created a documentary called "An Extraordinary Place." This 34-minute film focuses on the community radio station WMPG in Portland. Initially, Bell planned to make a short video but felt the story deserved more depth. The film has received critical acclaim, winning ten awards, including best short film at last year’s Maine International Film Festival. It has been showcased at 20 different film festivals. The screening of the film will take place at 6 p.m. on April 1 at the University of Southern Maine. Bell describes the fascinating volunteers he met at WMPG. He notes that while there are about 200 volunteers, they often work alone during their shows, making their community hard to see. He wanted to capture their passion for music and community in his film. Creating the documentary had its challenges, especially regarding music rights. Bell had to hire a lawyer and a music supervisor, which cost more than $12,000. An online fundraiser helped raise the necessary funds. Bell enjoyed the editing process, finding it satisfying to weave together clips to create a compelling story. He hopes viewers will appreciate the message about the importance of community, especially in a time when many feel isolated.