Signe Taylor, the director of “It’s Criminal,” a feature documentary, will be shown at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 15, and 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, July 18, during the Maine International Film Festival in Waterville.

Taylor is especially excited to be showing at MIFF because her parents live at Black Locust Farm in nearby Washington, and she has spent her vacations in Washington, swimming in Crystal Pond and horse back riding on the back trails, since she was 8 years old.

As a born and bred New Englander, she said that many of the characters and themes in “It’s Criminal,” which was shot in rural New Hampshire, will feel familiar to audiences in Maine.

“It’s Criminal” is a critique of the economic and social inequities that divide the United States. Shot in an intimate verite style, the film shares the life-changing journeys of incarcerated women and Dartmouth College students working together to write and perform an original play about the lives of the imprisoned women. It delves into privilege, poverty and injustice and asks viewers to think about who is in prison and why. While exploring disparities, the film also shares poignant and personal stories about how empathy is a powerful force that can help bridge the divide.

To view the trailer and learn more about “It’s Criminal,” visit www.itiscriminal.com/about/

To view a recent review by Vermont Law School Professor Susan Apel, visit dailyuv.com/news/904347

Taylor looks forward to attending the screening in Waterville and will be accompanied by Charlotte Gunderson, a formerly incarcerated woman who’s featured in the film as well as by Dartmouth College Professors Ivy Schweitzer and Pati Hernandez, who teach the class documented in It’s Criminal.

The film has previously been shown at the Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival and at WRIF — White River Indie Film Festival in White River Junction, Vermont. It’s a timely movie that connects well with audiences. In fact, previous screenings have been sold out and Taylor hopes to do so again in Maine. Taylor said they are thrilled by the film’s reception and are especially pleased that viewers often walk away motivated and hopeful to change the inequalities in our justice system.

For more information, call Taylor at 802-384-1111.