13th Annual Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival Takes Center Stage
Martha's Vineyard, MA (PRWEB) August 04, 2015 -- The Run&Shoot Filmworks Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival (MVAAFF) today announced its screening schedule for the Summer’s Finest Film Festival August 10-15. Now in its 13th year, the MVAAFF highlights work by distinguished African-American producers and actors from across the globe. MVAAFF films address an array of topics from the African-American, LGBT, Hispanic, Asian, and international communities. On Monday, August 10, HBO presents MAVIS! as the opening night film at Edgartown Cinemas, 65 Main Street, Edgartown. All other screenings and events will take place at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center (MVPAC) unless otherwise noted. Registration takes place on Tuesday, August 11 at the MVPAC from noon until 6pm. A complete itinerary and film-screening schedule can be found at http://www.mvaaff.com.
“The MVAAFF provides a major platform for African-American filmmakers to showcase their talents and is a way to bring wide-reaching social and cultural issues to the forefront,” says Dennis Williams, Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, HBO. “As a signature sponsor, HBO looks forward to honoring the African-American film community and all of its contributions to the worldwide filmmaking scene.”
“We are thrilled to once again sponsor the MVAAFF,” says Sheldon Levy, Executive Vice President, Saatchi & Saatchi New York. “The festival celebrates not only the spirit of Independent Film, but focuses a spotlight on the passion and persistence of filmmakers of color in the diaspora.”
“Along with my wife and MVAAFF co-founder, Stephanie, we are excited to provide this outlet for emerging and established African-American film prodigies,” says MVAAFF Co-Founder, Floyd Rance. “It is our hope to positively affect the U.S. film experience, as well as those who seek a broader insight on the influence African-American’s have on filmmaking around the world.”
Select MVAAFF Screenings & Events
Edgartown Cinemas, 65 Main Street, Edgartown
•Monday, August 10 – 6pm to 9pm: HBO presents MAVIS!
•Tuesday, August 11 – 3pm to 6pm: Somewhere In The Middle
MVPAC, 100 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road, Oaks Bluffs
•Tuesday, August 11 – 7pm to 9pm: The Yard presents a live dance performance Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company
•Wednesday, August 12 – 7pm to 9pm: Wharton Sports Business Institute presents ALTHEA
•Thursday, August 13 – 7:30pm to 9pm: TREASURE: From Tragedy to Trans Justice, Mapping A Detroit Story by dream Hampton
•Friday, August 14 – 7pm to 9pm: Join us for a discussion about the new Spike Lee Joint CHI-RAQ
•Saturday, August 15 – 5pm to 7pm: HBO Short Film Competition & Awards Presentation followed by HBO presents 3 ½ Minutes, 10 Bullets
Other notable films to be screened include: Fingerprints, Dancing In The Light: The Janet Collins Story, Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings The Band, Forgiveness, BOUND: Africans vs. African-Americans, Agents of Change, and Finding Samuel Lowe: From Harlem to China.
For more information on a complete schedule of screenings and special events, visit http://www.mvaaff.com where visitors can also find links to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest. Please note that all screening and events are subject to change without notice.
For the seventh straight year, Saatchi & Saatchi will sponsor the Saatchi & Saatchi NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE Achievement in Film Award in which one of four lucky films will win a cash prize. HBO will also present one cash prize for the twelfth year in a row for the best short, feature or documentary film. The MVAAFF would like to extend a special thank you to all its sponsors, which include: HBO, Hennessy, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Wharton Sports Business Initiative (WSBI).
• Saatchi & Saatchi NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE Achievement in Film Award Nominees
o Debt To Society
o Advantageous
o Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings The Band
o That Daughter’s Crazy
• HBO Best Short Film Nominees
o Debt To Society
o 2nd Life
o Tough
o Roubado
o First Date, Last Date
• HBO Best Feature Film Nominees
o Somewhere In The Middle
o Fingerprints
o Forgiveness
o In The Morning
• HBO Best Documentary Nominees
o Treasure: From Tragedy To Trans Justice, Mapping A Detroit Story
o Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings The Band
o That Daughter’s Crazy
o In A Perfect World…
About Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival: Established in 2002, the Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival (MVAAFF) is a five-day event where independent and established African-American filmmakers can showcase, screen and promote emerging feature, documentary, and short films from across the world. The brainchild of husband and wife team, Floyd and Stephanie Rance, MVAAFF provides a nurturing environment for Af-Am filmmakers to test their creativity, while providing sponsors a captive audience to promote their brands among a virtual who’s who of the African-American community.
About Run&Shoot Filmworks: The mission of MVAAFF’S production company is to provide a positive environment where filmmakers can share their thoughts, visions and aspirations. In addition, the company has produced commercials for clients such as Foot Action, Spalding, Reebok, Nike and NBC Sports.
Onsite Media Contact
Stephanie Rance
718-715-8096
mvfilmfestival(at)yahoo(dot)com
Media Contact
Brian Cockman
336-210-3806
brian(dot)cockman(at)acmconnect(dot)com
Brian Cockman, Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival, +1 3362103806, [email protected]
Share this article