Maine's Cassidy Brothers are challenging Hollywood's traditional distribution model with the release of their latest film, Saving Black Bear. After experiencing the limitations of waiting for distributor approval with their previous movie, Childish Things, Nick and Cash Cassidy decided to take a different approach: bring the film directly to their home state's audiences.
The brothers, who grew up in South Portland and Cape Elizabeth, found that hosting their own screenings in Maine not only filled theaters but also validated a more independent path. Their new film, shot on location in Orono, is a coming-of-age comedy-drama that celebrates community. It tells the story of a fictionalized Black Bear Cinemas facing hard times, with a group of misfit employees uniting to save the independent theater that brought them together.
Off-screen, the production was a community effort. The film stars South Portland native Julia Steady and legendary character actor Xander Berkeley, a Cornish resident known for roles in Terminator 2, Apollo 13, and The Walking Dead. Zach Hussey, owner of Black Bear Cinemas, allowed the crew to shoot in his theater, a gesture that director Nick Cassidy credits as crucial. "Community support like that is what makes Maine special and made Saving Black Bear possible," he says.
Producer Cash Cassidy emphasizes the importance of self-reliance in the industry: "I've seen too many people waste years waiting for permission from Hollywood to succeed in the movie business. We knew there had to be another way, so we took a chance, and we found it here at home."
The film's release strategy reflects this ethos. After a sneak preview at the Vacationland Film Festival in Biddeford on August 23rd, Saving Black Bear will have its World Premiere at Black Bear Cinemas in Orono on September 9th, followed by a Portland Premiere at O'Maine Studios on September 13th, sponsored by StreamState. For more information on additional screenings, visit savingblackbear.com.
