The Film Society Media GalleryRichard Paradise2015-12-30T00:00:00-05:00
In 2017 the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society and its Headquarters, the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center, received the “Best of the Vineyard” award in the category of “Movie Theater, Festival, or Series.” 2017 marks the fifth year in a row that the Film Center has won this prestigious award. Below you will find videos and photographs from a variety of events that helped earn the Film Center this honor in every year since its opening in 2012. The chronological order of the gallery descends from present/recent past (Sept. 2017) to less recent past beginning in 2013.
Danny Glover (via Skype) and Joslyn Barnes joined us at the 2017 MVIFF to receive their Global Citizens Awards. Danny and Joslyn both produced the film WHITE SUN, which screened following the discussion. Richard Paradise, Executive Director of the Film Society, moderated a thoroughly-engaging discussion.
Mister G Bi-Lingual Children’s Concert at the 2017 MVIFF
The Panel from our screening of PASSAGE TO ST. AUGUSTINE answers questions regarding the film.
Filmmakers and Panel from our Screening of PASSAGE TO ST. AUGUSTINE at the Strand Movie Theatre in Oak Bluffs ( August 2017)
John Sims and Others Presented and Performed the AfroDixieRemixes at the Film Center in August of 2017. The project consisted of several remixes of “Dixie” the de facto anthem of the Confederacy.
A large crowd gathered in the Film Center lobby before a performance by Four-time Grammy Award-Winner India Arie. Charles D. King and Suzanne de Passe spoke in support for the expansion of the MOTOWN Museum in Detroit.
James Lapine and Richard Paradise hold a Q&A after a showing of Lapine’s THE FALSETTOS
First-Time Filmmaker/Actress Sonja Sohn (The Wire) screened the film BALTIMORE RISING in August of 2017. The film was followed by a discussion with Adam Jackson and Dayvon Love, both subjects on the film, and was moderated by Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Following a sold-out screening of the documentary I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO, author, radio host, and culinary expert Jessica B. Harris joined us to read about James Baldwin from her memoir “My Soul Looks Back.” After her reading, a book signing session was held in the lobby of the Film Center.
(Below) Brad Silberling of AN ORDINARY MAN
Children’s Programming Coordinator, Minah Worley, and Summer Intern Quinn Harker, join students from our summer filmmaking camp to pose for a photo. (Summer 2017)
Prior to our free screening of Dr. Seuss’s THE LORAX, over 35 children decorated reusable canvas bags supplied by the Vineyard Conservation Society and received a copy of The Lorax’s “How to Help the Earth” to take home with them.
Following the screening of TROPHY, co-directors Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau joined us via Skype for a discussion of the film with the audience.
Wes Brighton, Shelley Edmundson, and Jim Athearn engaged in a Q&A with the audience after showing of RANCHER, FARMER, FISHERMAN.
After a viewing of BEFORE THE FLOOD, students from the Martha’s Vineyard Charter School spoke to the audience about their recent climate change field trip to Alaska in a discussion lead by Lindsey Lee.
Our festival kicked off with a screening of THE BULLISH FARMER. After the film, director Ken Marsolais and John Ubaldo joined us onstage for a discussion of the film, and a Q&A session.Before the festival began, an opening reception was held that featured live jazz music by David Hannon, appetizers by Herring Run Kitchens, and a menu sourced from Mermaid Farms, MG Farms, Grey Barn, Ghost island, Blackwater Farm.
The Martha’s Vineyard Film Society was proud to host the first annual SPECTRUM Film Festival from April 27th through April 30th, 2017. The SPECTRUM Film Festival is the first LGBTQ film festival held on Martha’s Vineyard. The 4-day festival featured numerous guest speakers and panel discussions on LGBTQ topics.Rev. Bill Clark, Rev. Chip Seadale and Rev. Cathlin Baker lead a conversation about the relationship between religion and the LGBTQ community, following a screening of Justin Kelly’s I AM MICHAEL.
Participants of a SPECTRUM Youth event were treated to pizza provided by Rocco’s Pizza.
Co-sponsored by Vineyard Knitworks, the Film Center hosted YARN, a film about the artists redefining the art of knit and crochet on March 8th, 2017. The front entrance to the Film Center was decorated with yarn in anticipation of the screening.
In February of 2017, Students of the Edgartown Grade School were given a special screening of Craig Leeson’s documentary A PLASTIC OCEAN
Samantha Look of the Vineyard Conservation Society spoke to the students following the screening.
Vineyard students had the opportunity for a free, special afternoon screening of QUEEN OF KATWE at the Capawock Theater on October 25th, 2016, with the support of the Rotary Club of MV.
The 11th edition of the annual Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival was held from September 6th through September 10th, 2016.
Actress Sharon Stone was present, displaying her Global Citizens Award to the audience.
US Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy and Peter Grilli of the Japan Society of Boston joined us at the Film Center to help introduce the film and to comment on the May 27 visit by President Obama to Hiroshima’s Peace Park (the first standing US President to visit).
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Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross Williams’ film LIFE, ANIMATED was screened for three nights at the Film Center.Following the first showing on August 18th, 2016, the Suskind family (L to R: Walter, Owen and Ron) joined director Roger Ross Williams for a post-film Q&A session.
In collaboration with WGBH, a free screening of NOVA: Operation Lighthouse Rescue was screened at the Film Center on June 12th, 2016. After the screening, a panel discussion moderated by Paula Apsell, and featured Len Butler, Martha Vanderhoop, Jerry Matyiko, and Richard Skidmore.
Fredrik Gertten, Dave Whitmon, and Ed Begley Jr. participate in a Q&A following a screening of BIKES vs CARS at the 2016 Environmental Film Festival.
Dave Whitmon’s Velomobile On Display in The FIlm Center Lobby
Co-sponsored by The Martha’s Vineyard Times and the Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby the newly rechartered USCG Flotilla 11-9 and its crew, joined us for a screening of THE FINEST HOURS.
After the film Capt. John Kondratowicz, Commander of Sector Southeastern New England spoke to the audience about the 1952 Coast Guard rescue of the sailors of the SS Pendleton.
Todd Wallack of SPOTLIGHT, winner of Best Picture, joined us for a special screening and Q&A.
BEST OF ENEMIES co-director Robert Gordon joined us during Doc Week 2015.
Matthew Heineman, Director of CARTEL LAND and frequent visitor to the Island himself, joined us after a screening of his film. Matthew had been recently award “Best Director” at the Sundance Film Festival.
With the help of the Martha’s Vineyard Theater Foundation and the Island Community, we re-opened the Strand Theatre in Oak Bluffs after it had been closed for four years.
We celebrated the 40th Anniversary of JAWS by playing the movie at the Capawock and the Strand. What better way to pay tribute to, according to Roger Ebert, “One of the most effective thrillers ever made” than by watching it on the very Island where it was filmed?
Mike Haydn played the guitar in the opening beach scene of JAWS and we welcomed him to our 40th anniversary shows.
The Berklee College of Music’s Silent Film Orchestra wowed a full house at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center with their performance of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925).
JACQUES PERRIN AND Co. Attended our First Annual Environmental Film Festival
We hosted The Arts and Culture Collaborative workshop with special guests Cathy Edwards, Executive Director of New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA) and E. San San Wong, Senior Program Officer at Barr Foundation. The discussion was moderated by David White, Artistic and Executive Director of The Yard.
A one-hour documentary film, directed by five-time Emmy winner Bailey Pryor which will be aired by PBS affiliate stations across the nation, telling the extraordinary story of America’s last wooden whaleship and the incredible saga of whaling, the first global industry dominated by America. Following the film, we hosted a Q&A session with panel members Bailey Pryor; writer, producer, and director of the film, Steve Jones, Executive Producer, Quentin Snediker, Director of the Henry B. DuPont Preservation Shipyard at Mystic Seaport, and Matthew Stackpole, Ship’s Historian for The Morgan Restoration.
Our 2014 Oscar Viewing Party at the Film Center. What better place to watch the Awards then the place where you watched all of the nominees?
Halloween Edition of our Classic Film Night. The Theme? Rocky Horror Picture Show. Recognize any familiar faces?A special screening just in time for Halloween. Members, patrons and faculty of the Film Center dressed up for the occassion!
Bill Plympton in Elation as he Celebrates yet another Return to the MVIFF with his Animation Crew.
The Opening Animation for the 9th MVIFF
Downtown Abbey Season Four Premiere Along with A Lovely Bit of Afternoon Tea
RETURN TO SUMMER OF LOVE CONCERT W/ THE DAYTRIPPERS: Doug Brush, vocals & guitars; Charlie Esposito, vocals, piano & keyboards, percussion; Shelagh Hackett, vocals and percussion; Eric Johnson, vocals, guitar & bass; Boaz Kirschenbaum, vocals, guitar & bass; Brian W Weiland, vocals, drums, and guitar. Light Show Design Stephen Zablotny and Carl Gosslin. Sound mix Anthony Esposito.
Guests Gather in the Gretchen V. Feldman Art Space during Judy Belushi Benefit with Screening of John Belushi: Dancing on the Edge. Over $13,000 was raised for Community Services. Herring Creek Caterers Provided Tasty Vittles.
Lee Daniels, Henry (Skip) Louis Gates Jr., and Danny Strong give a Q&A during a Sneak Peek screening of THE BUTLER.
Richard Paradise and Lee Daniels, the Director of THE BUTLER