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The 19th Annual Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival

The 19th Annual Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival2024-03-13T09:29:28-04:00

 

will be held September 3-8, 2024 at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center

PROGRAM, TICKETS, SPECIAL GUESTS will be announced in late July/early August

See Below for info from our 2023 Festival

 

ALL-ACCESS PASSES ARE NOW SOLD OUT 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL PROGRAM GUIDE

Celebrating 19 Years!

The Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival, now in its 19th year, is a celebration of cinema worldwide. The films we’ve gathered for you show the full glory of cinema arts. These films’ bold imagery, creative storylines, and unique characters will wrap your in warm cinematic magic. 
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The MVIFF is a culminating highlight of our island’s culture-packed summer season. Each September we gather the best new films from dozens of countries, films that provide a path to bridging our cultural differences and exploring universal human experiences.
MVIFF
We open the festival with our “Spotlight” screenings at the Film Center, located in the Tisbury Marketplace. These four festival films, showing on September 5th and 6th, are GOLDEN YEARS (Switzerland) SCRAPPER (UK), THE GULLSPÅNG MIRACLE (Sweden) and RAMONA (Spain)
MVIFF

Our official OPENING NIGHT, September 7th, will feature THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS (Italy) playing at the Film Center at 7:30pm. The film will be preceded by our Opening Night Party on the lawn of the Tisbury Marketplace. Our closing night film will be TÓTEM (Mexico) at 4:30pm pn Sunday September 10th, followed by our Closing Night Party at Fish MVMVIFF

Enjoy meeting fellow festival attendees and special guests inside a tented reception, from 5:30-7:30 PM, on the beautiful waterfront lawn adjacent to Lagoon Pond, just off Beach Road at the Tisbury Marketplace.  We’ll be serving wine, beer and appetizers while a wonderful band performs under the tent. s

Don’t miss our annual SHORT FILMS JURIED COMPETITION on Friday, September 8th at 7:30pm, 9 shorts chosen from over 250 submissions from around the world. This year our jury is made up of
JURY
Diana Barrett – Diana has been a long time festival jury member and president and founder of the Fledgling Fund, a philanthropic organization that supports documentary films that have a social impact.
MVIFF
Sarah Kernochan – Sarah is a two-time Academy Award winner for short documentary film, a director, and screenwriter.
MVIFF
David Helpern -David is a producer, director, and screenwriter (and seasonal resident of Martha’s Vineyard).
Monty Cole – Monty has directed for Steppenwolf, Center Theatre Group, The Goodman Theatre, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Victory Gardens Theater, the Center for New Performance, Cape Cod Theatre Project, Alley Theatre and others. His re-interpretations of classics from Eugene O’Neill’s The Hairy Ape to Hamlet have received awards and critical praise in Chicago. His short film Sons of Toledo was our juried short competition winner in 2022.

MVIFF SPOTLIGHT

GOLDEN YEARS (Switzerland)

Tuesday, September 5th @ 4:00pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND TRAILER

REMINISCENT OF BREAD AND TULIPS, BARBARA KULCSAR DIRECTS THE AFFECTIONATE STORY OF AN ELDERLY COUPLE IN SEARCH OF HAPPINESS WITH HUMOR AND A LIGHT TOUCH. BREAKOUT HIT AT THE SWISS BOX OFFICE, RANKING AS THE MOST SUCCESSFUL SWISS FEATURE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC

Alice and Peter are celebrating their retirement – and with it, a new phase in their lives. But when her best friend Magalie dies unexpectedly, Alice makes a shocking discovery: She has had a secret affair in France, for 15 years! Confronted with the finite nature of life, Peter is thrown into an existential crisis. To bon-vivant Alice’s great chagrin, he becomes a health fanatic. And when Peter invites Magalie‘s widowed husband Heinz tojoin them on a cruise, which Alice had hoped would breathe new life into their marriage, their harmonious retirement is over. Disappointed and hurt, Alice decides not to return to the ship during a shore excursion in Marseille. Instead, she sets out to find Magalie‘s lover…


SCRAPPER (UK)

Tuesday, September 5th @ 7:30pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND TRAILER

This vibrant and inventive father-daughter comedy follows Georgie (Lola Campbell), a resourceful 12-year-old girl who secretly lives alone in her flat in a working class suburb of London following the death of her mother. She makes money stealing bikes with her best friend Ali (Alin Uzun) and keeps the social workers off her back by pretending to live with an uncle. Out of nowhere, her estranged father Jason (Harris Dickinson; Triangle of Sadness, Beach Rats) arrives and forces her to confront reality. Uninterested in this sudden new parental figure, Georgie is stubbornly resistant to his efforts. As they adjust to their new circumstances, Georgie and Jason find that they both still have a lot of growing up to do. Winner of a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, Scrapper is full of spirit, humor, and formal inventiveness that sets it apart from much of British working-class cinema. Dickinson and remarkable newcomer Campbell imbue irresistible charm into this moving and frequently hilarious story of two emotionally tangled people: a grieving kid thrust into adulthood and a father in over his head.

“Whip-smart… tender without falling into sappiness.” Critic’s Pick! — The New York Times

“Harris Dickinson adds to the growing pile of evidence that he’s a true generational talent.” — Little White Lies

“Delightfully hilarious. One of those sweet, funny films that takes pleasure in the wonder of youth, with really tight, honest writing that is unexpected and fun.” — Chicago Reader


THE GULLSPÅNG MIRACLE (Sweden)

Wednesday, September 6th @ 4:00pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND TRAILER

A divine premonition leads two sisters to buy an apartment in the small Swedish town of Gullspång. To their surprise, the seller looks identical to their older sister who died by suicide 30 years earlier. What begins as an eerie story of family reunification soon becomes a Pandora’s Box as all three women’s lives spiral out of control.

“Riveting. Astounding and cleverly structured… Its canvas is one-of-a-kind, a vigorous mix that also encompasses a haunting unsolved crime, complete with Lynchian echoes of Twin Peaks.” – The Hollywood Reporter

“[The film’s] astonishing twists and turns transform what appears to be one sort of unbelievable fable into an altogether different eye-opener.” – The Daily Beast


RAMONA (Spain)

Wednesday, September 6th @ 7:30pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND TRAILER

Ramona has just moved to Madrid with her boyfriend Nico, and wants to start from scratch: she wants to be an actress, she wants to be a mother, she wants to live in Lavapiés. The day before her first audition she meets an older man, Bruno, with whom she has an instant and strong connection. Ramona runs off, scared of her own feelings but, as fate would have it, the next day she discovers that Bruno is the director she was supposed to meet! The opportunity is too big to pass and, encouraged by Nico, Ramona decides to go for it…

“A refreshing romantic comedy with a self-awareness for tropes that renders the film a sly success.” – RogerEbert.com

“Ramona slowly evolves into a loving, playful film that addresses the dark realities of its subjects’ lives while also giving them agency to tell their own stories and build community together.” – The Pitch


OPENING NIGHT

THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS (Italy)

& OPENING NIGHT PARTY 

Thursday, September 7th / Party @ 5:30pm / Film @ 7:30pm

On Opening Night of the Festival, enjoy meeting fellow festival attendees and special guests inside a tented reception, from 5:30-7:00 PM, on the beautiful waterfront lawn adjacent to Lagoon Pond, just off Beach Road at the Tisbury Marketplace.

We’ll be serving champagne, wine, beer, and locally sourced bites, while a wonderful  jazz quartet performs under the tent.  And for a special sweet treat, Mad Martha’s will be serving up their delicious Ice Cream.

After the reception, guests will be invited to make their way to the Film Center for a special OPENING NIGHT screening. The film begins approx. at 7:30 pm.

Your ticket is good for both the OPENING NIGHT reception and the OPENING NIGHT FILM.  

There will be no tickets sold for Opening  Night film separately.

 

THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS (Italy)

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND TRAILER

An epic journey of friendship and self-discovery set in the breathtaking Italian Alps, THE EIGHT MOUNTAINS follows over four decades the profound, complex relationship between Pietro (Luca Marinelli) from Milan, and Bruno (Alessandro Borghi), who grew up in an isolated mountainside village. From the filmmakers behind Academy Award®-nominee The Broken Circle Breakdown, and based on the bestselling novel by Paolo Cognetti.

“Magnificent.  A gorgeous, glorious retreat.  One of the strongest and most vibrantly shot pictures in the Cannes Competition.”
Justin Chang, Los Angeles Times

“*****!  (Highest Rating). This is a movie with air in its lungs and love in its heart. It is spacious and unhurried in its devotion to beauty and to what it means to be human. This film has mystery and passion, it climbs mountainous heights and rewards you with the opposite of vertigo: a sort of exaltation.”
Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian

“CRITIC’S PICK
Intoxicating. A tender story about love and friendship.  The Belgian writer-directors Felix van Groeningen and Charlotte Vandermeersch keep the characters — and the movie — immersed in beauty.  You are immediately plunged into the region’s splendors and mysteries, its densely sheltering foliage, enigmatically abandoned corners and dramatic, seemingly limitless vistas.”
Manohla Dargis, The New York Times


GODS OF MEXICO (Mexico)

Friday, September 8th @ 4:00pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND TRAILER

With visually stunning landscapes and immersive sound, GODS OF MEXICO is a poetic survey of the vast landscapes and rich diversity of several communities of rural Mexico. Using richly saturated color and hypnotic black-and-white interludes, filmmaker Helmut Dosantos takes viewers through salt pans, deserts, highlands, jungle, and underground mines–paying tribute to those who fight to preserve their cultural identity amidst the shadows of modernization.

“A visual and auditory treat from writer-director Helmut Dosantos. Surreal and haunting at times, the documentary is a beautiful tribute to the indigenous people and the breathtaking landscape of Mexico.” – Fort Worth Report

“It will blow you away.” – FilmWeek


SHORT FILM JURIED COMPETITION (International)

Friday, September 8th @ 7:30pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND LIST OF FINALISTS

From more than 250 entries our festival selection committee has chosen 9 finalists. We will screen each short film and our jury will select the “Best Overall” film at the conclusion of the program. The winning short film will be shown again prior to the Closing Night feature.

This year’s finalists include: OUTSIDE LINE (USA), THE OLD YOUNG CROW (Japan/USA), RIVER (USA), THE VACATION (USA), LEGENDS OF THE MOUNTAIN (Ireland), NEW LIVES (USA), PUFFERFISH (Iran), ALGORITHM TAKEDOWN (USA) and CAREER DAY (USA)

Our Jury:

Diana Barrett – Diana has been a long time festival jury member and president and founder of the Fledgling Fund, a philanthropic organization that supports documentary films that have a social impact.
Sarah Kernochan – Sarah is a two-time Academy Award winner for short documentary film, a director, and screenwriter.
David Helpern -David is a producer, director, and screenwriter (and seasonal resident of Martha’s Vineyard).

Monty Cole – Monty has directed for Steppenwolf, Center Theatre Group, The Goodman Theatre, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Victory Gardens Theater, the Center for New Performance, Cape Cod Theatre Project, Alley Theatre and others. His re-interpretations of classics from Eugene O’Neill’s The Hairy Ape to Hamlet have received awards and critical praise in Chicago. His short film Sons of Toledo was our juried short competition winner in 2022.

*** Extreme Thanks to our Short Film Selection committee: Anne Evasick, Jennifer Turner Smith, and Deborah Alves for their work over the last six months to view, rate and select our finalists from close to 250 submissions.  Bravo!


RETURN TO DUST (China)

Saturday, September 9th @ 1:00pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND TRAILER

In rural Gaotai county, two lonely, middle-aged outcasts are pushed into an arranged marriage by their families. Ma (Wu Renlin) is a humble farmer with little to offer his timid and sickly wife, Cao (Hai Qing), except for a small abandoned house on a barren patch of land. From just a few seeds, their newly planted crops take root and flourish; and similarly, an unexpected bond between the two starts to blossom. As seasons pass their dedication to each other grows stronger, but change and adversity soon threaten the idyllic existence they share.

“Every frame of this movie is exquisitely considered without seeming fussy or stagy.” – RogerEbert.com

“A touching portrait of love and resiliency in a collapsing rural community of Gansu Province.” – New York Times

“It’s a gorgeous, quietly affecting film that finds an unassuming beauty in this simple life in rural China, but which doesn’t shy away from the extreme hardships faced by the very poorest.” – Observer (UK)


SMOKE SAUNA SISTERHOOD (Estonia)

Saturday, September 9th @ 4:00pm

One lucky audience member will win a FREE 2-hour sauna session for up to 6 people courtesy of Schvitzy Mobile Sauna — Value: $800

 The healing powers of sisterhood take on a new meaning in this luxuriant portrait by Anna Hints. Following a group of Estonian women who gather in a handmade sweat lodge, the film languidly moves through the seasons as bodies gather in the rituals of the sauna. Baring their souls and their flesh, tears are released into the heavy, warm air, and quickly dispelled with laughter as the women nurture one another. The specificity of each individual’s experience weaves a rich tapestry and yet there is a undertow of universal understanding flowing throughout this finely crafted film. Hints immerses us in a space innately known to all humans, suspending viewers in an ephemeral experience of love and acceptance.
This debut feature won the Sundance Film Festival’s World Cinema–Documentary directing award. 

“The small, smoky, steamy miracle of this film is how it creates something so intangible, so lyrical, from the absolutely elemental: fire, wood, water and lots of naked female flesh.” – Variety

“a film that places you in the moment of relaxation, conveys the sense of a cleansing that is both physical and spiritual. Here, you are free to say anything, trivial or significant.” – Screen Daily

“a cathartic and lovely experience” – Paste Magazine

“an unforgettable experience” – POV Magazine


FINESTKIND (USA)

U.S. PREMIERE

Saturday, September 9th @ 7:30pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Followedby a Q&A with Director Brian Helgeland (Via Zoom) and Producer Gary Foster

Finestkind tells the story of two brothers (Foster & Wallace), raised in different worlds, who are reunited as adults over a fateful summer. Set against the backdrop of commercial fishing, the story takes on primal stakes when desperate circumstances force the brothers to strike a deal with a violent Boston crime gang. Along the way a young woman (Ortega) finds herself caught perilously in the middle. Sacrifices must be made and bonds between brothers, friends, lovers, and a father (Jones) and his son are put to the ultimate test.

Starring Ben Foster, Toby Wallace, Jenna Ortega, and Tommy Lee Jones
Brian Helgeland (Director, Writer) won the Academy Award for his screenwriting of “L.A. Confidential.” He was also nominated by the Academy for his writing of Clint Eastwood’s “Mystic River.” His directorial work includes the films “Legend,” starring Tom Hardy and Taron Egerton, “42,” starring Chadwick Boseman and Harrison Ford, and “A Knight’s Tale,” starring Heath Ledger and Paul Bettany. He is the writer of Tony Scott’s “Man On Fire” and Paul Greengrass’ “Green Zone.” Helgeland is also the recipient of the Writers Guild of America Award, the PEN Center Literary Award, the Edgar Alan Poe Award, the USC Scripter Award and the Sidney Lumet Award for Integrity in Entertainment.

A 1983 graduate of the University of Southern California. At the age of 25, he produced his first film, Short Circuit.  In 1993, Foster produced the Oscar® and Golden Globe-nominated hit Sleepless in Seattle, which has become a classic. 

He has produced Just Cause, The Amazing Panda Adventure, Big Bully, Tin Cup starring Kevin Costner, The Score, which brought together the talents of Robert De Niro, Edward Norton and Marlon Brando.

In 2003, he began a series of three movies for Marvel Studios: Daredevil (Fox/New Regency) starring Ben Affleck, followed in 2005 by Elektra (Fox/New Regency) starring Jennifer Garner, and Ghost Rider (Sony) in 2006 starring Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes.

He produced THE SOLOIST starring Jamie Foxx and Robert Downey, Jr. 

Gary Executive Produced the acclaimed series COMMUNITY for all 6 seasons.

Other films include EMPEROR and MY OLD LADY.

Foster produced the BAFTA nominated film DENIAL.


CASABLANCA BEATS (MOROCCO)

Sunday, September 10th @ 12:00pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND TRAILER

Director Nabil Ayouch (Razzia, Horses of God) drew on his own experience opening a youth cultural center in Casablanca for this story of a former rapper named Anas who takes a job teaching hip hop in an underprivileged neighborhood. Despite differences in identity, religion, and politics, Anas encourages his students to bond together and break free from the weight of restrictive traditions in order to follow their passion and express themselves through the arts. Featuring a dynamic ensemble of first-time actors, many of them students of the real-life cultural center where the film was shot, Casablanca Beats is a vibrant and inspiring coming-of-age hip hop musical with a decidedly feminist edge. Mixing intimate yet high stakes drama with infectious musical sequences, the film transports audiences to a lively and contemporary Casablanca, far from the clichés about the Arab world. Morocco’s official submission to the 94th Academy Awards® offers a refreshing dose of youthful inspiration alongside a powerful message about the liberating power of self-expression.


ELIK & JIMMY (ISRAEL)

Sunday, September 10th @ 2:15pm

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND TRAILER

Sponsored by the Consulate General of Israel to New England

Jimmy and Elik meet in the army, a minute before checking out. He is an overweight corporal and she is a beautiful officer, but something clicks between them, They can talk. A shame it doesn’t stand a chance. They run into each other through the years in thecity, Facebook and such, but only a decade later, when they’re both 30 plus, wiser and harder, they really become friends. Everything is good, until love gets in the mix.


CLOSING NIGHT

TÓTEM

& CLOSING NIGHT PARTY

Sunday, September 10th / Film @ 4:30pm / Party @ 6:30pm approx.

TÓTEM (Mexico)

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS AND TRAILER

TÓTEM is a choral film about life. Seven-year-old Sol spends the day at her grandfather’s home, helping her aunts Nuri and Alejandra with the preparations for a surprise party they are throwing for Sol’s father, Tonatiuh. As daylight fades, a strange and chaotic atmosphere takes over, shattering the bonds that hold a family together. Sol will come to understand that her world is about to change dramatically, embracing the essence of letting go and cherishing the breath of life.

Join us to celebrate the final night of films and bring another wonderful festival to a triumphant end. Following the Closing Night Film, we will reconvene on the porch of a local restaurant in Vineyard Haven, for our closing Night Party. Your ticket includes both the closing night film, and admittance to the party. Enjoy wonderful food, libations and live music.

Our menu at FISH MV will be Mexican inspired and we’ll be serving signature Margaritas (traditional and watermelon). 1 free drink per person with ticket at door, after that cash bar

 

No tickets for the film will be sold separately.

 

Your ticket is good for both the CLOSING NIGHT film and the CLOSING NIGHT PARTY  starting at 6:30 PM. Keep the good times rolling after the film and join us for our Closing Night Party at a restaurant in Vineyard Haven from 6:30-8:30 PM. Enjoy a wonderful buffet prepared specialty for the festival, wines, and beer, and live music/singing from the outdoor deck.

MENU
MV
Starters:
Chips, Pico de Gallo, Guacamole
Empanadas
Taquito s
MV
Dinner:
TACO BAR w/
Shrimp
Chicken
Mushroom
MV
Rice & Beans
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Cotija cheese
Pico de gallo
Napa cabbage
Lime crema
Vegan lime crema
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Churros for dessert

 

Our Mission

The recurring theme of the annual Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival is “Other Places, Other People”; the festival’s purpose is to encourage attendees to think broadly (about how huge the world of film is) and deeply (about the universal concerns and desires that unite all people). About 90% of all film selections are non-US productions, helping to fulfill the festival mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding through film.

Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival is an amazing experience not to be missed. Come and join us for 6 days in September.

Overview

THE FILMS: The 2021 Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival will present a selection of films from around the globe by international filmmakers. Films are curated from top-notch festivals like Sundance, Berlin, and Cannes, with a few surprises thrown in.

THE ISLAND EXPERIENCE: Although most of the festival will take place in a village of Vineyard Haven, there will be plenty of opportunities to explore our other Island towns and natural beauty. Martha’s Vineyard is the perfect location for our multi-day festival, with its amazing beaches, sunsets, spectacular chefs, unique shops, and a highly influential community.

Festival Difference

What makes our festival different? It’s community-oriented programming inspired by the World around us.  Martha’s Vineyard is a special place and we have designed programs to give back to the community, including promoting commerce in downtown Vineyard Haven and across the Island. We are working with local merchants to create a community celebration that will go hand-in-hand with our festivities.

We offer filmmakers a chance to show their best work during our International Juried Short Film Competition. We select 10 films for the program which are shown in a single program, with the announcement of the winner coming at the conclusion of the program. The winner is awarded a $1,000 cash prize and their film is shown again before our Closing Night Film and Program. For more information, or to submit your film for consideration please click the submit button below.

For more details and information on how to submit your local short film or work-in-progress – please contact info@mvfilmsociety.com

Our Festival is also cooperating with various Island non-profit on events/films that focus light on their mission and community services. Contact us if your organization is interested in collaborating, at info@mvfilmsociety.com

Festival Host

The Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival is presented by the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society. The Film Society presents award-winning feature films, documentaries, animation, and shorts from around the world, paired with topical speakers throughout the year. We aim to bring together people of all ages, foster appreciation of the world’s diversity, and stimulate discussion through the universal language of film. The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Festival Director

Since 1999, when he founded the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society, Richard Paradise has been actively involved in the promotion and exhibition of independent and international films on the Island of Martha’s Vineyard. The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society has become a much loved year-round arts organization screening over 200 films annually, with a membership of over 2500 and annual patronage of over 35,000.

Visiting Martha’s Vineyard for the Festival

To obtain information on getting to and from Martha’s Vineyard, we have asked our partner, the MV Chamber of commerce for its assistance. Please click the link below for information on transportation options.

Getting To Martha’s Vineyard by air, sea, and land

To see a map of downtown Vineyard Haven and our venues/locations, please click this link.

For general information on other lodging options, please click this link to the Chamber of Commerce site:

Places To Stay

Contact Us

For any additional questions or comments, please email your inquiry to info@mvfilmsociety.com or
call 774-392-2972.

We are grateful to our wonderful patrons, contributors, and sponsors….

Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism

 

 

 

 

 

 

                 

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