Will be held September 8-13 2026 at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center

The 20th Annual MVIFF was held September 2-7, 2025 at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE 2025 FESTIVAL PROGRAM AS A .PDF

2026 FESTIVAL PROGRAM

SPOTLIGHT FILMS

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Tuesday September 8th at 1:00pm

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Tuesday September 8th at 4:00pm

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Tuesday September 8th at 7:30pm

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Wednesday September 9th at 1:00pm

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Wednesday September 9th at 4:00pm

TBD

Wednesday September 9th at 7:30pm

OPENING NIGHT PARTY & FILM

Thursday September 10th Party at 5:30pm / Film at 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 will be serving champagne, wine, beer and Goldie’s Rotisserie Truck provides the delicious locally sourced appetizers and buffet meal inspired by the opening night film. And for an extra sweet treat, Mad Martha’s Ice Cream will be serving cones.

After the reception, guests will be invited to make their way by foot to the Film Center for a special screening of our official opening night film. The film begins at 7:30 pm.

OPENING NIGHT FILM: TBD

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

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

TBD

Friday September 11th at 1:00pm

TBD

Friday September 11th at 4:00pm

SHORT FILM JURIED COMPETITION (International)

Friday September 11th at 7:30pm

From more than 400 entries our festival selection committee has chosen 10 finalists. We will screen each short film and our jury will select the “Best Overall” film at the conclusion of the program. Several of the filmmakers will be in attendance.

**Last Year’s Winning Film, THE SINGERS, also won the 2025 Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film**

Bill Plympton’s Animation Showcase

Saturday September 12th at 1:00pm

The MV International Film Festival will present a display of animated shorts with a showcase curated by Bill Plympton, an Oscar-nominated animator and cartoonist, who has been amusing and provoking audiences with his surrealist, off-kilter take on everyday life for years.

TBD

Saturday September 12th at 4:00pm

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Saturday September 12th at 7:30pm

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Sunday September 13th at 12:00pm

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Sunday September 13th at 2:15pm

CLOSING NIGHT FILM & PARTY at GARDE EAST

Sunday September 13th Film at 4:30pm / Party immediately afterward

Join us to celebrate the final night of films and bring another wonderful festival to a triumphant end. Following the Closing Night Film, FOUR MOTHERS, we will reconvene on the porch at GARDE EAST, 52 Beach Road in Vineyard Haven, for our closing Night Party. Your ticket includes both the closing night film, and admittance to the party at GARDE EAST. Enjoy wonderful food, libations, live music from DJ Smooth-B and the thrilling performance of Miss Molly Dazzle. 1 free drink per person with ticket at door, cash bar after that

No tickets for the film will be sold separately.

CLOSING NIGHT FILM: TBD

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Garde East located at Vineyard Haven Marina is a beachfront restaurant oasis on Martha’s Vineyard. Located in quaint Vineyard Haven, our setting is truly unique. Join us in our nautical dining room, on our outdoor deck and courtyard, or with your toes in the sand on our private beach overlooking boats in our marina, harbor views and sunsets.

No matter the occasion, or where on property you choose to dine and celebrate the summer season, you’ll have a beautiful view of Vineyard Haven Harbor and impeccable service to match.

Our culinary approach is inspired by the best the island has to offer – fresh seafood and local produce – and is complemented by our over 500 wine labels.

We hope to see you again and again this season to enjoy our food, drink, service and atmosphere at one of Martha’s Vineyard hidden gems.

Prepare to be amazed by Miss Molly Dazzle’s epic glowing entertainment. As seen at First Friday Vineyard Haven and the Martha’s Vineyard Ag Fair. Miss Molly Dazzle WOWs guests with a variety of acts including high-level epic hula hooping (1-8 hoops), customized smart poi, juggling clubs, dragon staff, and more!

Sterling Bishop AKA DJ Smooth B loves to move a crowd! He specializes in Martha’s Vineyard Weddings, Private Events and frequents the Vineyard Club Scene. DJ Smooth B knows how to read and play to his crowd throughout each event and will customize a playlist for you from any genre across the board. With over 20 years experience, Smooth B has played for people from around the world, including known Island celebrities.

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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 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

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

Places To Stay