After a sold-out premiere and rave reviews, a Peace of Forest, Maine’s first feature-length movie ever filmed and produced entirely in Maine will be featured at the Colonial Theater in Belfast, Maine Tuesday, July 30, at 7 p.m. The filmmakers and producers, Lee Ann and Thomas Szelog, will host a Q&A with the audience immediately following the movie.  

A Peace of Forest, an 87-minute film, has been described by audience members as, “The most beautiful film I have ever seen, exhibiting our natural world,” and “This film is a gift; it is so rich.”  

Touted as a quiet film, a Peace of Forest is a one-of-a-kind cinematic adventure, allowing viewers to experience a wild, peaceful and mysterious world that is filled with complex relationships and ways of wonder. A Peace of Forest celebrates the beauty and intimacy of wildlife in Maine with surprising, tender and exquisite interactions of wildlife during undisturbed moments in Maine’s natural world.

Known as “one of Maine’s most renowned wildlife photographers,” Thomas Mark Szelog has focused, for the past 45 years, on creating compelling photographs, documenting Maine’s rich wildlife, and nature’s gentle beauty.

He is steadfast with keeping his intrusion into the homes of his subjects to a minimum, according to a news release. He waits for hours and days for his subjects to approach him, so he can capture their mood and behavior as naturally and discreetly as possible.

He specializes in photographing wildlife, nature, and landscapes for the editorial, corporate, and fine art markets. His passion, purpose, and priority have always been to use his images to help open people’s eyes and hearts to the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitat.

Tom is a recipient of the Philip Hyde Award, presented annually to a photographer who is working to preserve the condition of the natural environment through the art of photography. 

Lee Ann is the Founder of Simply Put, LLC, specializing in presentations she delivers locally, regionally and nationally on human relations and wellness, of our planet and ourselves.

Lee credits Tom for opening her eyes to the natural world; Mother Nature opened her heart. For 36 years Lee has been inspired by Tom’s art as a professional wildlife and nature photographer, and now shares the art of photography and love of the natural world with him. 

For the past 10 years, the Szelogs have been creating the movie with the same ethics and values Tom has used throughout his career. Viewers will see the results of their passion, vision and patience that reflects the utmost respect and love they share for the wildlife.

Although the film has outstanding imagery, this is not just a film with pretty images of wildlife. This is a film documenting the complex relationships within the natural world and the wild families that simply strive to survive each day. The Szelogs personally and profoundly hope every human can experience pure joy by viewing a Peace of Forest, and continue to experience it every day for the rest of their life.   

As passionate wildlife advocates and award-winning photographers Tom and Lee Ann work collaboratively, sharing their words and photographs in narrated photography presentations, fine-art exhibits, and books to educate and inspire people about the important role the natural world plays in our lives. A Peace of Forest is a masterpiece of their lifelong advocacy and was produced by their production company, Bear Brook Productions, LLC.  

More information about the film can be found at apeaceofforest.com.