“We Were An Island,” a new made in Maine short film will have its Midcoast premiere at Harbor Theater Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. Director Peter Logue, and Screenwriter Jahn Sood will introduce the film and stay afterwards for a Q & A session. Eventide Specialties will provide a pre-show reception starting at 6:30.

Inspired by the book ”We Were An Island: The Maine Life of Art and Nan Kellam” by Peter Blanchard III, the film brings to life the poignant, deeply romantic story of the couple’s life on Placentia, an uninhabited island near Mt. Desert, from their arrival in 1949 until just after Art’s death in 1985. The Kellams lived alone on the 522-acre island, with no electricity, no telephone, and only an oar-powered dory to bring groceries from Bass Island two miles away.

Both the director and screenwriter grew up on Mt. Desert Island, hearing stories of the couple who left Los Angeles to buy the isolated island. Whether in response to the horrors they witnessed in international news during World War II or from a desire to take on a life project that was utterly unique, Art and Nan Kellam experienced both independence from society and a connection with nature that seem nearly impossible today.

Director Logue has said that they may turn the film into a full-length feature at some point, but wanted to get the shorter version on screen because there was strong interest locally in the subject. The film is not rated and runs 25 minutes.

Famed songwriter and folk singer Loudon Wainwright III (Knocked Up, Big Fish) and Becky Ann Baker (Freaks and Geeks, Girls- Emmy nominee) lead the cast as Art and Nan Kellam. Real-life married couple Jennifer Mudge (Dutchman - Drama Desk) and Chris Henry Coffey (Trust) plays the couple in earlier years. The cast is rounded out by Dylan Baker (The Good Wife - three-time Emmy nominee) as Dr. Julian Kuffler, iconic boat builder Chummy Rich as his own grandfather, Cliff Rich, and Jason Hodgton (Animal Planet) as Eddie the stern man.

A limited supply of the book, “We are an Island,” is now available at Sherman’s Book Store in Boothbay Harbor and Damariscotta for those who would like to read the Kellam’s story before the film.