Its Our Fifth Year - Come Celebrate the World of Film with us on the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard in September.
August 3, 2010

It's Year 5, and the Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival has hit its stride. Combining a vibrant waterfront location, an art-loving community, and the best cinema from around the world, this September's film festival, September 9-12, 2010, promises to live up to its growing national reputation.

The MV International Film Festival has raked in kudos: this year MovieMaker magazine included it on their list of the top 25 film festivals “worth the entry fee.” (This comes on top of International Film Festival Summit's recognition of MVIFF founder Richard Paradise as the best regional festival director.) The secret to this success? Since its inception, the ongoing theme of the festival has been “Other Places,” which means, says Mr. Paradise that “we seek films that are both outstanding and that offer insights to places our audience may not have the opportunity to experience first-hand. When we pick a film, we ask two questions: Does it entertain or inspire? And will it (whether it's a comedy, a thriller, a documentary) encourage our audience to think about the world around us? It's overwhelming, the number of films produced-the world of cinema is so big!--but it's rewarding to be able to bring to our island four days' worth of high quality entertainment from around the globe.” Like the tagline on the festival poster promises, this festival is all about “The Big Picture from a Small Island.”

One of the highlights is the 2010 Oscar winner, Juan Jose Campanella's EL SECRETO DE SUS OJOS (“SECRET IN THEIR EYES”) from Argentina. Campanella has two stories to tell, featuring the same characters separated by time. The first is the story of a rape and murder. The other is the effect the crime has on the other characters. The film begins as a conventional crime thriller but then take off, delivery, as Paste magazine put it, “one of the most virtuosic chase sequences ever filmed.”

At the opposite end of mood scale is the unique and funny DET RODE KAPEL (“THE RED CHAPEL”). Two Danish comics, both born in Korea, decide to visit North Korea; they gain permission from the authoritarian regime by pretending they are a vaudeville act that offers an opportunity for a safe cultural exchange with the West. Director Mads Brügger, though, has other plans: to reveal to the West the horrific conditions inside the DPRK and “expose the very core of the evilness” of its regime. The contrast between the absurd comedy of the duo and the stifling controls of the North Korean regime under the thumb of the Dear Leader lends to a Borat-style comedy at once hilarious and uncomfortable but sharp enough to nab the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2010.

In a small German village just before World War I, strange things are happening and no one knows why. A barn burns. A child dies. Soon the villages of DAS WEISSE BAND (“THE WHITE RIBBON”) are all looking over their shoulders and looking suspiciously at one another. Winner of multiple awards at Cannes (and chosen Best Foreign Film by the Chicago Film Critics Association), this movie raises serious questions in a compelling way-such as, what conclusions does a community draw when the facts don't add up. And can bad things just happen to good people? A visually stunning film shot in black and white, it uses a simple story to pose complex questions about both fear and security.

BEETLE QUEEN CONQUERS TOKYO, from Japan, sounds like a Godzilla-wannabe but it is a documentary exploring the island nation's fascination with insects. Promising to shift Westerners' perspectives on nature, life, and beauty, the film explores how nature manages to flourish on an island the size of Montana crammed with 128 million human beings. “Bewitching,” says the Village Voice. “Bristles with kinetic energy,” Film Comment magazine acclaims. Nominated at the 2010 Independent Spirit Awards in the “Truer Than Fiction” category, BEETLE QUEEN promises to enchant and enlighten.

A movie of a very different sort comes from Japan's neighbor, China. BEIJING TAXI follows three cabdrivers in the lead-up to the 2008 Olympics. Powerful and uncensored, the film shadows the cabbies as they move through a rapidly changing city where historical districts are razed and luxury complexes thrown up. The drivers' quality of life improves…but their sense of isolation increases. Just back from three months in China, film director Miao Wang will be on hand to introduce her film and discuss it with the audience.

Also from Asia is MADEO (“MOTHER”), a crime thriller described as “riveting and darkly funny” (Vogue) and “one of the year's movie-going must-sees” (Salon.com). It's the story of a mother desperately searching for the killer of a young girl who has framed her son for the crime. Winner of multiple awards (Asia Pacific Screen Award for best actress; Asian Film Award for best actress, screenwriter, and film), MOTHER contains, as the Wall Street Journal put it, “some of the best movie surprises I've seen in years.” These are just a few of the features being screened; a full and up-to-date listing is available at mvfilmfest.com.

The festival this year contains something new: a juried International Short Film competition. From the 200 entries submitted, 10 finalists will be chosen for screening at the festival and a cash prize awarded to the expert jury's favorite. This addition to the program, which should become an annual event, is being judged by a top-notch group of film experts: Amin Matalqa, the writer/director/producer of last year's festival hit CAPTAIN ABU RAED; Tim Miller, the Cape Cod Times entertainment editor; Susan Petersen, Vice President of Shorts International; and Adam Roffman, program director of the Independent Film Festival of Boston.

Films are only one half of the “film festival” equation, of course. The “fest” half includes relaxed mornings and early afternoons, which means plenty of time to explore the island and its beaches, followed by fun relaxed gatherings. Opening night there's a sunset cocktail reception with live music on the roof of the Mansion House Inn overlooking Vineyard Haven harbor. On Friday it's the third-annual Reel Food MV evening at Vineyard Haven's Saltwater Restaurant. Sponsored by Pellegrino Waters, attendees will enjoy the fruits of island farmers' labors with a sumptuous meal and drinks provided by sponsors like French Rabbit wines, Sapporo beer, and San Pellegrino waters.

Both Friday and Saturday night feature post-screening parties, too, with world music, exquisite appetizers, and refreshing drinks provided by festival sponsors and IDOL Vodka. Closing night it will be all hands on deck at Vineyard Haven Marina. Festivalgoers will enjoy live bluegrass by Ballyhoo, appetizers by Vineyard faves Blue Canoe restaurant, Net Result, and Il Tesoro of the Charlotte Inn along with libations from the fest sponsors.

MV International Film Fest passes and individual tickets are available online at TicketsMV.com, our festival ticketing partner. Tickets may be purchased in person beginning September 9 (10 am) at the festival box office (Mansion House Inn, Main Street, Vineyard Haven).

This year's film festival poster was Illustrated by Signe Baumane, a past participant of our festival's animation showcase in 2008.
July 21, 2010

A big thank you to Signe for her eye-catching and big picture design of this year's festival poster. For more information on Signe's unique talents check out her Web site.

Poster Design by Islander Stephen Zablotny

"25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee."
May 15, 2010

During the year the MovieMaker office gets peppered with calls and e-mails from readers who ask us some variation of the following question: Which film festivals have the most to offer me?

We know that in today’s tight economy, with hundreds of festivals of various sizes, reputations and genres demanding entry fees between $25 and $50 each, and with a majority of moviemakers still believing that their festival strategy can make or break their indie film’s commercial prospects, readers can really use a little help from their friends at MovieMaker.

Thus, for the last several years we’ve taken it upon ourselves to compile an annual list that highlights only a fraction of the events we believe are worth our readers’ hard-earned money. Of course, a festival game plan is still essential. Think about which fests have the most to offer, which feel right and which can deliver the kind of rewards—financial or otherwise—that can seed one’s career.

While every moviemaker’s priorities vary, what follows is a list of festivals that offer something a little out of the ordinary. Sometimes it’s money, sometimes it’s a distribution opportunity and sometimes it’s the chance to be a part of an event regardless of whether your submission is even accepted.

So here are our 2010 picks; for the full text of why we chose this lot of more than two dozen fests, pick up a copy of the Spring 2010 edition of MovieMaker magazine, on newsstands now.

The Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival announces its Short Film jury members for its 5th annual festival.
May 1,, 2010

International Jury Competition - 10 films will be selected from our festival's worldwide entries and screened at 2010 Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival short film showcase. Jury members will select the winning film for a cash prize and a special presentation at Closing Night program on Sunday, September 12th.

Our festival is about exploring other cultures/people of the world. We accept either fiction or non-fiction types. The following individuals are respected professionals in the film community and have agreed to participate on our first ever film jury.

Jordanian-American Amin Matalqa received his MFA in Directing at the American Film Institute. In 2007 he wrote, directed, and produced his first feature film, Captain Abu Raed, Jordan's first-ever entry into the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. Captain went on to win the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2008 along with 27 other international awards, including Best Director in Seattle, Portland, and Palm Springs; and the Grand Prize and Audience Award at the Heartland Film Festival. While he lives in Los Angeles, Amin plans to continue making both American and international character-driven comedies. Most recently, his screenplay "The Cello and The Flower" was selected for the upcoming anthology film, Love Berlin. His upcoming feature film, Welcome To Nowhere, is an American comedy with heart and balls.


Tim Miller, entertainment editor of the Cape Cod Times in Hyannis, has been a newspaper film critic for more than 30 years. A Detroit native (and proud of it), he has been obsessed with movies from an early age: His first album, which he bought at age 7 in 1962, was the soundtrack to “Lawrence of Arabia.” For the past several years he has taught film courses - from International Cinema to The Films of Humphrey Bogart - at Suffolk University and Cape Cod Community College. He lives in Marstons Mills with his wife, Susan; they have two children in their 20s, Katie and Josh.

Susan Petersen has over 20 years experience in the Entertainment and Media industry. She is currently the Vice President of Global Film Sales and Business development with SHORTS INTERNATIONAL. The Company has 4 Television Channels including SHORTS TV France, SHORTS TV UK, SHORTS TV Turkey and SHORTS HD USA and is the short film content provider to iTunes in all territories. Ms. Petersen oversees film licensing across all platforms worldwide, including the annual Academy Awards Nominated Shorts Program. She resides in Manhattan with her Jack Russell Terrier, Mila.

Adam Roffman has served as the Program Director of the Independent Film Festival of Boston (IFFBoston) since 2003. He has worked in Set Decoration with such filmmakers as Robert Altman, Martin Scorcese, Ben Affleck, David Mamet, and Martin Campbell. He has recently moved into producing, having completed three films in the last three years; "Woodpecker" (2008), "Trust Us, This Is All Made Up" (2009), and "Phillip The Fossil" (2010).

Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival
5th edition - 2010 | 9 - 12 September
January 21, 2010

NOW ACCEPTING SHORT FILM ENTRIES
International Jury Competition - 10 films will be selected from worldwide entries and screened at 2010 Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival short film showcase. Jury members will select winning film for jury cash prize and presentation at Closing Night program on Sunday, September 12th.

Our festival is about exploring other cultures/people of the world. We accept either fiction or non-fiction types. We would love for you to send us your short film for consideration. No fees, no application blues. Cash Prize!

PARTICIPATION DETAILS:
Fiction / Live Action
Animation
Documentary

Eligible if short film was completed after 1 July 2009

Maximum running time - 15 minutes

Entry deadline - 15 July, 2010

Announcement of selected 10 films for competition showcase - 15 August 2010

No entry screening fees

Send DVD (Region 1) screener to: MV Film Society, P.O. Box 4423, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
For additional information or if you have questions, please contact Richard at rich@mvfilmsociety.com

Have a super day!

New York, NY (PRWEB) The International Film Festival Summit presented their 3rd Annual IFFS Excellence Awards on Monday at the 6th Annual International Film Festival Summit.
December 15, 2009

For the third consecutive year, the IFFS Excellence Awards honored and paid tribute to the dedicated professionals and executives managing film festivals. "As film festivals continue to evolve and play a larger and more pivotal role in the entertainment industry we were absolutely thrilled to honor such accomplished and dedicated professionals for their contributions at this year's summit," said Waco Hoover, CEO of the International Film Festival Summit.

The awards were presented by American actor Ernie Hudson, and he was joined by over 200 film festival professionals and directors at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

The 2009 IFFS Excellence Awards honorees were, for International Director: Graham Leggat, Executive Director, San Francisco Film Society; for International Professional: Rose Kuo, Artistic Director, AFI Fest; for National Director: Gary Meyer, Co-Director, Telluride Film Festival; for National Professional: Natalie McMenemy, Managing Director, Aspen Film; for Regional Director: Richard Paradise, Festival Director, Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival; and for Regional Professional: Mary Dippell, Executive Director, Lake Arrowhead Film Festival.



The 2009 International Film Festival Summit featured the top industry leaders and directors including: SXSW, IFC, Cinetic Media, Aspen Film, San Francisco Film Society, Film Finders, New York Film Festival, HotDocs, Dallas International Film Festival, Enigma Research, Thompson On Hollywood, European Independent Film Festival, IEG, The Method Fest, Big Island Film Festival, The Woods Hole Film Feistval, Rochester High Falls Int'l Film Festival, Hollywood Black Film Festival, Big Apple Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, San Diego Asian Film Foundation, Ashland Independent Film Festival, Film Threat, Phoenix Film Foundation, Atlanta Film Festival, Palm Springs Int'l Film Society, Miami International Film Festival, Florida Film Festival, Silverdocs Film Festival, Sarasota Film Festival, and many many more.

About International Film Festival Summit (IFFS):

The International Film Festival Summit (IFFS) is the largest international organization representing the film festival industry. The IFFS mission is to promote and strengthen the global film festival industry through education, networking, dissemination of information, and the cultivation of high standards for the industry. The IFFS was founded in 2002 and provides the only annual conference & symposium for film festival professionals and entertainment executives to network, learn from one another, establish partnerships, and understand the latest trends in festivals and independent film. www.filmfestivalsummit.com.

Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival Returns for 4th Year
September 10–13
August 1, 2009

Take an exquisite New England island, add fantastic films, parties, and invite lovers of both, and voila: it’s the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival! Established in 2006, the festival’s annual theme is “Other Places,” and is reflected in this year’s slate. “We hope,” says festival director Richard Paradise, “everyone will be challenged to think broadly—about how huge the world of film is—and deeply, about the universal concerns and desires that unite us.” This year, Paradise adds, 10% of profits will be donated to causes depicted in the screened films, such as PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL (from Liberia) and GARBAGE DREAMS (Egypt).

With less congestion and usually great weather, September is the perfect time for a Vineyard visit, and that goes double on festival weekend. The film fest, in fact, was designed with relaxation in mind: most events are in the afternoon and evening, leaving hours open to explore the island’s beaches and towns.

This year’s festival films come from every corner of the globe: Palestine, Russia, China, India, Norway, France, Israel, Germany, Spain, Japan, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, and more. The opening night feature, though, is American-made (but India-inspired). SITA SINGS THE BLUES (“The Greatest Break-up Story Ever Told”) won the Cristal grand prix for best feature at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival. Its creator, Nina Paley, will speak at the opening night screening. Her time in India and the end of her marriage to an Indian man inspired her first feature. A syndicated cartoonist, she began making short films in 1998 and created SITA on her home computer.

Other notable films are RUDO Y CURSI, one of the top-grossing Mexican films of all time, and winner of the audience award at the Newport Beach Film Festival. WALTZ WITH BASHIR (Israel) is an innovative animated drama and was nominated for a 2009 Oscar (Best Documentary). LEMON TREE is based on the true story of a Palestinian widow who battles with her new neighbor, the Israeli defense minister, over the survival of her lemon grove, but finds a friend in his wife. At the Berlin International Film Festival, its star, Hiam Abbass, won Best Actress and the film received an audience award.

From Kazakhstan comes TULPAN, winner of the Cannes Film Festival Prix Un Certain Regard. It’s the tale of a dreamer who makes his way from the Russian navy to his hometown and, he hopes, a future with a mysterious local woman. A love story of another type is GONE WITH THE WOMAN (Norway), a fast-paced tale of a man and the woman who takes over his life.

The award-winning THE POPE’S TOILET (Argentina) is a comedy about the 1988 papal visit to a Uruguayan border town, whose residents anticipate great bounty from the anticipated 50,000 visitors. Another Argentine award-winner is THE MAID, which explores the netherworld of a long-time servant who is, and is not, part of the family. SIN NOMBRE (Mexico) is a socio-thriller set on the US border that won director Cary Fukunaga the 2009 New Director’s Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

One of the most anticipated films of the festival is MUNYURANGABO. It explores the Hutu-Tutsi genocide from the point of view of an orphaned teen and is the first film ever in the Kinyarwanda language. Among its many awards is the Grand Jury Prize at the American Film Institute festival.

CHERRY BLOSSOMS, directed by Doris Dorrie (How to Cook Your Life) comes courtesy of the Goethe Institute in Boston. When he loses his adored wife, Rudi discovers she once longed for a life in Japan. Off-balance, he leaves Germany for Tokyo. This clash of cultures film won Best Actor and Best Production at the Bavarian Film Festival. Japan is also the setting for OKURUBITO (this year's Oscar Winner for Foreign Language Film), the story of one man’s attempt to survive the financial recession by taking a career he never imagined he’d ever consider.

The MV International Film Festival is a success largely because of support from year-round and seasonal residents. This year that’s particularly true: BROOKE ADAMS, film and Broadway star, will premiere her new 20-minute short, PET PEEVES (co-produced with her husband, Tony Shalhoub, star of TV’s “Monk”). GERALDINE BROOKS will introduce a feature from her native Australia and comic writer extraordinaire MARTY NADLER (“Carol Burnett Show,” “Happy Days”) will introduce GONE WITH THE WOMAN. Loyal festival supporter BILL PLYMPTON returns with a slate of animated international shorts and nationally known cartoonist Paul Karasik designed this year’s festival poster. Local business ECO MV will keep the festival “green” with recycling bins and biodegradable cups, plates, and napkins. And LIZ WITHAM and KEN WENTWORTH of Film-Truth Production again present THINK GLOBALLY, SHOOT LOCALLY with new work by up-and-coming Island amateur filmmakers. (Two films from past TGSL forums, MOW CREW and HOUSE OF BONES, were completed and screened in 2009.)

Films are just the start. In addition to art gallery and meet-the-filmmaker gatherings, festival passholders will enjoy nightly parties and other special events. The opening night cocktail party on the Mansion House roof offers the island’s best harbor view and includes live jazz by ALB Jazz Trio, Southeast Asian-inspired food by Chef Robert Lionette, and drinks by festival sponsors French Rabbit wines, Charles de Fere Sparking wine, Sapporo Beer, and San Pellegrino waters. REEL FOOD MV, a special party/dinner/screening event will include a menu of locally grown cuisine at sumptuous Saltwater restaurant and a screening of international short films curated by festival director Paradise. Che’s Lounge will be the nighttime hot spot: on Friday, DJ Phillipe Borde provides the music for a Parisian theme party; on Saturday, DJ Carter Keith Hakala brings in a Caribbean beat. Boisset American's IDOL Vodka and Domaine de Canton host the open bars.
The festival rolls through Sunday and wraps up with THE END OF THE LINE, a British independent film and a party on the harbor with live blue grass by Ballywho, food from Blue Canoe, Home Port, and Net Result, and libations again by the festival sponsors.

Listen to a Preview of the 2009 Film Festival with Mindy Todd (The Point on WCAI), Tim Miller, Entertainment Editor of Cape Cod TImes, and Richard Paradise, Festival Director, click download button.



Click Download button for a .pdf of the 2009 Festival Program.

This year's film festival poster was designed by Islander Paul Karasik
July 12, 2009

A big thank you to Paul for his eye-catching and fun design of this year's festival poster. For more information on Paul's unique talents check out his blog.

Wrapping things up for another year - the third annual film festival was a resounding success
September 29, 2008

The MV Film Society’s 3rd annual International Film Festival wrapped in mid-September, signaling a strong sense of a bright future. Of the over 2400 festival attendees, about 50% came from off-Island, and the festival’s attendance was at 85% overall capacity: It seems the festival's programming and events were very well received.

With a showcase of films from over 20 countries - the festival's central theme of "other places, other cultures" has given it a unique niche in the film festival market. Few US film festivals truly embrace the “international” the way that the Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival does.

The program featured many of the best global movies of the year: it opens with Frenchwoman Irena Salina's documentary on the global water crisis, Flow: For Love of Water, and also on the non-fiction front there is Canadian Yung Chang's superb Up the Yangtze, Brit Lucy Walker's compelling Blindsight, and Americans Tony Gerber and Randy Moss' wry portrait of an army training center's fake Iraqi village, Full Battle Rattle. On the narrative side, Norwegian Joachim Trier’s virtuosic debut Reprise, French enfant terrible Christophe Honore’s iconoclastic musical Chansons D’Amour and Israeli husband-and-wife team Etgar Keret and Shira Geffen’s poetic and moving Jellyfish entranced islanders.

The festival would not have been the success it was without our many volunteers and sponsors. With a team of over 50 volunteers putting in long hours to make things run smoothly; over 30 financial and in-kind sponsors also backed their efforts and commitment. Please show your thanks to our sponsors by visiting our sponsors’ page

We also want to recognize the continued support of local organizations, such as the MV Chamber of Commerce, the Tisbury Business Association, the MA Film Office, Film-Truth Productions, and Main Street merchants who came together to make our third festival a cultural success for the Vineyard.

Click Download button for a copy of the 2008 Festival Program.

DISPATCH FROM MARTHA'S VINEYARD | In Its Third Year, Festival Grows Beyond Local Event
by Cameron Yates, IndieWire
September 15, 2008

As September begins, Martha's Vineyard breathes a sigh of relief after 100,000 summer visitors have left, and the island's population returns to 15,000 year-round residents. The Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival, in its third year, is meant for those who remain, as Co-Directors Richard Paradise and Nevette Previd are quick to point out. "This place is known for clambakes and pretty beach walks," says Previd, "but the idea is to offer something different for local people. What makes Martha's Vineyard so special is that it is a destination, but it's also a microcosm of the world." Paradise adds, "It's about community, bringing together people and watching some great films from around the world."

Filmmakers and islanders gathered on the rooftop of the Mansion House in Vineyard Haven on Thursday evening to celebrate the Opening Night of the festival at a pre-screening reception for "FLOW" by Irena Salina. The slightly unfocused documentary highlights the current crises of clean drinking water shortages and the privatization of water around the world. And one of the film's main targets, Nestle Waters, is also one the festival's presenting sponsors; what "FLOW" lacked, the Q&A made up for, especially when a representative from Nestle spoke up to challenge some of the statistics in the documentary. Smoothing over any awkwardness, Paradise put it into perspective, "It's about water...but more than that, community and sharing and being good global citizens."

"Our overall theme is films about other places," says Previd, "and we try to get a film from each continent." Some of the highlights included Christophe Honore's polyamorous musical "Love Songs," Yung Chang's "Up the Yangtze," and Guy Maddin's "My Winnipeg." "Tuya's Marriage," with its breathtaking cinematography and naturalistic acting, looks at one woman's struggle to provide for her family in the harsh landscape of Inner Mongolia. And in "The Listening Project," filmmakers Dominic Howes and Joel Weber follow four Americans abroad as they find out what the rest of the world has to say about the US.

On a much lighter note, the weekend started out with a dose of Wizard Rock at a screening of "We Are Wizards," a doc focusing on musicians who sing about Harry Potter and artists who have been inspired by the series. Unlike other quirky obsessed fan portrait docs, "Wizards" gives its subjects a chance to tell their stories and effortlessly weaves interviews with animation and archival footage. Director Josh Koury, who himself may have had a healthy obsession with the books, made it clear, "We didn't want to poke fun at the fandom. The subjects of the film are great artists besides from being fans." "We Are Wizards" opens theatrically in New York City on November 14. From left: Festival Co-Director Richard Paradise, William E. Marks - author of "The Holy Order of Water and subject from the Opening Night Film "FLOW," and Festival Co-Director Nevette Previd at the Opening Night rooftop cocktail party. Photo by Cameron Yates.

Friday night in Town Hall saw a screening of shorts from the All Roads Film Project, a forum that aims to give indigenous storytellers a voice. "We have a huge Native American tribe on the island," says Previd, "and they were really involved with the screening." The centerpiece of the event was Billy Luther's "Miss Navajo", an intimate and touching portrait of the Miss Navajo Nation competition. After the film, Luther noted that when his mother won the title in 1966, the emphasis was on being able to speak English; now it's the opposite, on preserving the spoken Navajo language. "I hope that the film sparks some interest in Navajo culture," said Luther during the Q&A. "I think it's really important that we tell our own stories and we don't give the camera to National Geographic and say film us."

Echoing that sentiment was renowned cinematographer Ellen Kuras, there to present her lyrical directorial debut "The Betrayal." "One of the reasons I wanted to make this film is to give the Lao a voice, so they would be able to speak for themselves," said Kuras. This beautifully composed, moving documentary focuses on one family's exile in America, after leaving a war-torn Laos. Kuras followed her subject Thavisouk Phrasavath for 23 years, who became so involved in the making of the film that she gave him a co-director credit. "We talked about the ideas for so long... This film was about philosophy and death and life and what happens to people without land, in exile."

Beloved animator Bill Plympton, who designed the festival's poster, returned this year both to present the world premiere of his new short "Mexican Standoff" and to curate Animation Lollapalooza, a fast paced, quirky, not-for-kids shorts program. Plympton enthusiastically introduced the showcase on Saturday night, "I was here last year and I just had a ball, so I brought some animator friends of mine back to show their new work." Richard Paradise hopes that other filmmakers will fall in love with the island and the fest and come back each year. "We try to make sure our filmmakers are here for the whole weekend. That they don't just pop in for their screenings and leave."

"One of the goals of the festival is for the audience to interact with the filmmakers," said Nevette Previd, "so we've amped up the programs as far as filmmaker meet and greets." And this year, the fest launched Reel Food MV, celebrating local food, island farmers, and filmmakers with a raw bar, three-course dinner, and screening of shorts. As Previd put it, "One of the best ways to explore the Martha's Vineyard is through food." Another way was through Destination MV, a tour of the island arranged by The Trustees of the Preservation, exploring the beaches of Chappaquiddick and Cape Poge's lighthouse, and finally through Think Globally, Shoot Locally, a screening and discussion with local filmmakers. After showing a trailer for her doc "House of Bones," Torri Campbell compared her film to the Maysles' "Grey Gardens," with four generation of women in one West Chop house. Through photos and home video shot over the last few decades, Campbell focuses on her family's last summer on the Vineyard.

All in all, the festival in its third year and growing is maybe not just for the locals anymore. Previd concluded, "There were a lot more people who came in for the weekend and made it an event. They came here to see films and go to parties and check out Martha's Vineyard."

Make a Splash with Project WET at Owen Park Sponsored by Nestle Waters North America
September 8, 2008

This Saturday, September 13, from 10 am to 2 pm at Owen Park, Vineyard Haven , Join Project WET, an award-winning global education organization, to learn about water conservation, health and hydration, recycling and more at the Make a Splash Festival in Owen Park. Local non-profit organization Tisbury Waterways Incorporated will also be on site to share information and interactive education.

* Water Conservation: Find out why it's important to conserve water at home, school and in your community. Construct a water flow cup, and discover how water-saving devices work. Learn important water conservation tips.

* Health and Hydration: Determine why hydration is critical. Pretend you're a water molecule and travel through the human body. Which organ uses more water - your heart or your lungs? How much water should you drink in a day to maintain peak physical performance and mental acuity?

* 4Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Renew: Learn what you can do at home, school and in your community to practice the 4Rs. What happens after you put a plastic bottle into the recycling bin? What innovative products have come from recycled materials?

* Ground Water: See how our actions above ground affect the quality of water below. Using a ground water flow model, watch as water moves through sand, clay and rock; witness the interaction of surface and ground water.

* Tisbury Waterways Inc.: Will be on hand and will have a demonstration of how catch basins work to clean the rainwater that goes into our storm drains. TWI also invites visitors to our Demonstration Garden in Owen Park that incorporates salt and drought tolerant local plants into an attractive seaside garden. Children and their parents will get a chance to help build "Flotsie Jetsam", our tireless beach-cleaning personality who is the mascot of our Adopt-a-Beach program.

An Overview of the International Film Festival 10 Days Out
September 1, 2008

The Third Annual Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival, produced by the MV Film Society, is a showcase for the best feature and short films from around the globe. As its exquisite setting would suggest, this is not your typical film festival - "Which is a good thing," says actor Hayden Christensen. "It has a laidback vibe to it, fitting for film and the industry."

Laidback or not, the days and nights of September 11 through 14 is still packed with excellent films, great parties, and many other special events. Festival co-directors Richard Paradise and Nevette Previd have selected over forty feature, short, and documentary films for this year's festival. Overall excellence was the main criteria, but also how well a film reflects the ongoing festival theme of "Other Places." On one level, as Previd puts it, "the concept of our festival is simple. Great global films, world music, and spectacular events, all on a beautiful island." But there's even more, adds Paradise. "Our mission is to shine a light on different cultures and places. Having an appreciation of others' hopes, dreams, lives makes us better global citizens."

Films chosen for the festival are almost all major award winners, and come from Europe, Central Europe, Asia, Africa, as well as North America. In addition to the movies, attendees will have daily opportunities for discussions with the creators of the showcased films as well as time to simply enjoy being on the Island. "They don't begin screening films until the afternoon, so you have the mornings to enjoy the Island - to get lost in its beauty," says producer Jared Goldman. The festival is centered on the main Island town of Vineyard Haven, with all major events within an easy stroll of the ferry and Main Street (excluding Saturday's after party at the Oyster Bar Grill in Oak Bluffs).

Among the films to be shown is REPISE, the winner of 12 international awards including the Discovery Award at Toronto International Film Festival; The Sundance favorite FLOW: FOR LOVE OF WATER and KASSIM THE DREAM, which premiered at Tribeca and won a Silverdocs award, are two other film bound to draw crowds, as is PERSEPOLIS, the acclaimed Iranian animated film. Other chosen films are MY WINNIPEG, Guy Maddin's award-winner, and the Israeli MEDUZOT (JELLYFISH), winner of the Camera D'Or at Cannes.

Japan is represented this year. The winner of a dozen awards in the past year, BUSHI NO ICHIBUN (LOVE AND HONOR) is the concluding film in director Yoji Yamada's acclaimed Samurai trilogy. There are two French entries: LES CHANSONS D'AMOUR (LOVES SONGS), the story of three lovers in Paris, has received four awards and raves for its musical score. HORS DE PRIX (PRICELESS) stars the enchanting Audrey Tautou (of AMELIE and DA VINCI CODE fame) as a modern day Holly Golightly. Two Italian entries are MIO FRATELLO E FIGLIO UNICO (MY BROTHER IS AN ONLY CHILD) and L'ORCHESTRA DI PIAZZA VITTORIO, the true story of a music lover who draws on Rome's immigrant community and creates a fabulous world music band.

The category of documentary films is particularly rich this year. The films to be screened include BEYOND THE CALL, the story of some modern-day knights in shining armor who travel the world to deliver aid; it's racked up over 30 festival awards already. BLINDSIGHT follows a group of blind monks as they scale Mt. Everest. THE LISTENING PROJECT, a captivating cinematic journey around the world in search of the meaning of America. National Geographic returns this year with four shorts from its ALL ROADS FILM PROJECT, which supports the work of filmmakers from indigenous or under-represented minority cultures. The tumultuous making of a Bollywood film is captured in SHOT IN BOMBAY, directed by Liz Mermin, who also did the festival hit BEAUTY ACADEMY OF KABUL.

Famed animator BILL PLYMPTON, a fan of the festival from year one, declared last year, "I'm telling all my animator friends in New York City - this is really a rock-in festival!" True to his word, Plympton returns this fall with some animator buddies and a program of animation shorts he curated, drawn from the works of animators from around the globe. (He also designed this year's festival poster, which is sure to become a collector's item.)

"Films are just the beginning," notes Previd. In addition to the popular nightly parties and the gallery walk, two new events are "Destination MV" and "REEL FOOD MV." The local Trustees of Reservations is this year's festival partner and "Destination MV" sponsor. Trustees specialists will be on hand to help festival-goers explore the Vineyard's exquisite and remote Cape Pogue Wildlife Refuge (and among other things offer expert suggestions on where the best fishing might be).

The second new feature of the festival is "REEL FOODS MV," a very special reserved-seating dinner created by SALTWATER, the new hip Vineyard Haven restaurant with spectacular salt water pond views. The menu will feature locally grown produce, meats, seafood, and produce. Dinner includes private screenings of some of the international shorts presented at the festival and a ticket to the after-party at Che Lounge.

This event-jammed festival with the laid-back air draws about half of its attendees from off-island (one reason that director Richard Paradise received the 2007 Governor's Award for Trade and Tourism). But it's also a favorite of the locals, perhaps not surprising given that the Martha's Vineyard community has long embraced the MV Film Society. After all, as director Doug Lyman observed, "A community that supports the arts on every level would of course support this film festival."

Opening Night Film - FLOW, FOR LOVE OF WATER will screen at both DNC and RNC in coming weeks
August 22, 2008

This Monday, August 25, the award-winning film, FLOW, will screen for the delegates at the Democratic National Convention. FLOW will screen at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis a week later. Local water author, William E. Marks, has a "significant presence" in FLOW, and has spoken and signed books after screenings at Sundance, Lincoln Center, and the DC Environmental Film Festival.

FLOW will be the opening night film for the MV International Film Festival on September 11, and will also screen at Noon on September 14. Join Wenonah Hauter, Executive Director of Food & Water Watch - a nonprofit consumer organization working to ensure clean water and safe food around the world: http://www.foodandwaterwatch.org/ and Author William Marks, "Water Voices from Around The World", voted 1st Place in the world's largest international book competition as: "Most Likely to Save the Planet"

Recently, Robert Redford released the following quote about FLOW: "Water is the sleeping giant issue of the 21st Century, and we all need to wake up about it. FLOW: For Love of Water, opens our eyes about the greatest threat of our time - the global water crisis. It is a compelling and passionate film. Its engaging narrative will grip the viewer."

MV International Film Festival Awarded MASS FILM OFFICE Grant
May, 2008

"The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival has come a long way in a short time. We were especially impressed with the Festival's THINK GLOBAL, SHOOT LOCAL initiative and we hope this award helps to make 2008 your most successful year ever. We are also grateful to Chairman Turkington for these important programs. Without his enthusiastic support, this grant--and the positive impact it has on the region--would not be possible."  --Nick Paleologos, Executive Director, Massachusetts Film Office

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MV International Film Festival introduces Destination MV
April 20, 2008

The Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival is excited to announce our new festival program DESTINATION MV. For your festival weekend, films are just the beginning. Explore the island and experience all that makes Martha's Vineyard a truly special place.

Our 2008 partner, The Trustees of the Reservation is offering Film Festival goers the opportunity to explore the remote parts of the magical island of Martha's Vineyard with an expert naturalist. The tour will travel via over-sand vehicles and foot where you will learn about barrier beach ecology, wildlife, and see Cape Poge's lighthouse, the natural wonders of diverse upland and marine habitats, and world-renowned fishing spots.

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MV International Film Festival Receives State Grant
March, 2008

(BOSTON) -  Representative Eric Turkington (D-Cape and Islands) is pleased to announce that the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival will be receiving a grant from the Massachusetts Film Office in the amount of $5,000. As House Chairman of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development, it was his amendment to the state budget last year that created a fund to support film festivals on the Cape and Islands.

“As Nantucket has shown, film festivals can be huge economic stimulators, bringing hundreds of visitors to our local economies. The Vineyard festival has shown itself to be increasingly popular and well attended and I hope this assistance from the state will help it reach the next level.” Turkington said.

Festival Wrap 2007
September, 2007

Martha's Vineyard is one of the most beautiful places on the Atlantic coast, a scenic haunt of the Kennedys and the Clintons full of rambling hills and quaint New England architecture that has taken a special place in the American imagination. It may seem strange, then, that the organizers of the Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival, which this weekend held its second annual run in the town of Vineyard Haven, would choose "Other Places" as their theme. Why bother with other places, when you're on Martha's Vineyard? "This is really an ideal place," says Nevette Previd, who runs the festival with co-chair Richard Paradise, "but in order to really appreciate it you have to leave, get away from your surroundings. And film can really take you somewhere else, even just for a few hours."

Click download button for a copy of 2007 Festival Program.

Festival Wrap 2006
September 2006

Four days filled with the best feature and short films from top-notch festivals (with a few undiscovered gems thrown in!), great evening events, provocative forums and live world music - all within the "Walking Festival District". And don't forget to enjoy the island's many beautiful beaches when visiting.

Click download button for a copy of 2006 Festival Program.