PORTLAND—A new Maine-based film and TV streaming service just launched this month. If the creators achieve their goal, the platform will be a curated "Netflix for Maine" with immersive documentaries, feature films, TV programs, live events, and cultural deep dives.

Rory Strunk, his business partner, Tristan Noyes, and media Director Ken Hess from O'Maine Studios launched StreamState on February 1 with a platform of Maine-focused movie features, such as Islander; TV programs, such as Teagan Wright's From Away; andworkshop videos, activity cams, and live events.

"We plan on being a one-stop shop for movies or TV shows made in Maine," said Strunk.

How it works: Anyone can create an account in February, where all the content will be free. Starting in March, the subscription will be in the $5 to $6 range per month for access to all content.

Free viewing will remain in place to see what is happening in real-time at Sunday River, Sugarloaf, Camden, Topsham, and Kennebunk with live webcam footage and samples of films and programs.

StreamState will add more live activity cams will be this spring. To date, more than 1,060 accounts people have signed up.

As their platform is still in its infancy, Strunk acknowledged that StreamState is: "The Portland Sea Dogs comparatively to the Boston Red Sox," but he and his team at O'Maine Studios hope to grow the platform on the premise that the demand for Maine content will be the draw for viewers in-state and millions of out-of-staters who want to stay connected to the Pine Tree State.

Beyond offering Maine TV and movies, StreamState also aims to provide "behind the lens" content and trailers for each listing so viewers can get a contextual connection to the filmmakers, locations, and other types of content typically found on a DVD collector's edition.

StreamState debuted in Camden on February 1, with live coverage of the US National Toboggan Championships. Strunk and his crew took a camera crew to Hosmer Pond, where they shot 385 races over the course of the weekend. After the footage aired, Strunk said that they had about 650 viewers signed up just to watch that coverage.

"I had already fielded two queries from the public asking if we would have live streaming this year, so Rory's news [requesting to cover the event live] was beyond exciting for me," said Toboggan Nationals Coordinator Holly Anderson.

It took some last-minute fundraising to match a Shipyard sponsorship to pull it off.

"With live streaming, viewers could cheer on the people they knew were traveling to Camden to race, and the event could be introduced to a whole new audience of future racers," said Anderson. "Following the positive experience we had working with Rory and his team, we will make the 35th annual U.S. National Toboggan Championships live streaming an even bigger phenomenon for Camden and the Midcoast."

"We want to create interactivity around signature sports events for each Maine town, such as the Toboggan Nationals, the state-wide lobster boat races, Sunday River's North American Wife Carrying Championships, and more," he said.

Thirty-three percent of the membership subscriptions will be funneled into a programming pool every six months to allocate revenue back to the independent producers based on viewership. Thus, the more people view a particular movie, show, or event, the more rewards the producer earns.

"We really want to see what people are responding to," said Strunk. "If people are more interested in horror films, we'll add more. If they want live events, we'll get more. We'll be able to see what the Maine tastes are."

StreamState is constantly searching for good material that will resonate with its niche audience. Strunk said more than 250 Maine-made films are currently sitting on the digital shelf, and it's StreamState's goal to promote them to viewers.

"We want to help film and TV makers in Maine grow their brand," he said.

Strunk founded O'Maine Studios, with Noyes as his business partner and a team of creative professionals in content and media development. O’Maine Studios has operated for 10 years as a media and event studio in Portland with a core focus on creating content and events that shine a positive light on Maine.

"With Rory’s decades of experience in creating media companies and branded content and my background in agriculture, education, and nonprofit and business leadership, we're building a platform that elevates regional stories and strengthens community connections," said Noyes.

Strunk and Noyes said Streamstate will naturally grow in tandem with their connections to the people of this state.

"If you originate the content coming from the community, you'll instantly connect with these people who have affinities to these communities," said Strunk.

For more information visit: https://streamstate.tv

Kay Stephens can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com