The 2021 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) Runs August 6-14
The 2021 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF), presented by General Motors, is excited to return to the beautiful beach island of Martha’s Vineyard. The 19th Annual Festival, also known as the summer’s finest film festival, will run from August 6-14 at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center (MVPAC), 100 Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road, in Oak Bluffs, MA, with screenings from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Check out the full schedule here.
“Coming out of the pandemic, we are back stronger than ever”, said Stephanie Taveras-Rance, co-founder, Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. “And we are thrilled to see that it did not stop filmmakers, producers and storytellers from delivering compelling and thought-provoking content.”
In keeping with its incomparable line-up to bring top notch programming, MVAAFF will present an exceptional program of over 70 original feature films, documentaries and short films produced and directed by a collective of talented filmmakers from all over the globe. The festival will also include topical panel discussions and exclusive events throughout the island.
General Motors will serve as the festival’s 19th anniversary presenting sponsor. Throughout the festival, GM will host engaging discussions including The Path to Inclusivity: Diversity Conversation featuring Congresswoman Barbara Lee and The Color of Conversation: Femme Forward in Film featuring Cadillac ambassador Regina King, present a young professional’s mixer and hold several onsite activations.
“We are delighted to have General Motors as our presenting sponsor”, said Floyd Rance, co-founder of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. “Their commitment to African Americans in the Arts is a perfect fit and aligns with our mission of showcasing the best in Black talent.”
“We are proud to be a part of the 19th Annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival,” said Telva McGruder, chief diversity, equity and inclusion officer at General Motors. “Creating a space to celebrate Black filmmakers and the arts reflects GM’s commitment to innovation and excellence. We are excited to uplift and recognize such powerful storytellers from around the world.
MVAAFF is also excited to partner with The Boston Globe, who will serve as the official media sponsor for the festival. In addition to digital and print promotion, the Globe will host a special program on Monday, August 9th featuring exclusive original content and a curated conversation with local artists and leaders.
“Our role as media sponsor provides a welcome opportunity for the Globe to invite a broader regional audience to celebrate the rich diversity that the MVAAFF highlights through its incredible lineup of programming," said Peggy Byrd, Chief Marketing Officer at Boston Globe Media Partners. "We are honored to join the festival in its celebration of Black filmmakers and creatives and look forward to centering and sharing Black joy with our communities.”
Last year, Facebook exclusively partnered with MVAAFF to present its first ever multi-cultural virtual film festival and this year, Facebook has renewed its partnership as the exclusive social platform during the festival. Content from this year's festival will be exclusively available on MVAAFF's Facebook page here, creating global awareness of the event.
Also, returning as a supporter is major sponsor HBOMax, with several film features and the coveted Short Film Competition and Awards Ceremony.
Over the last 19 years, the producers of the MVAAFF had one goal and one goal only, of providing a positive environment where African American filmmakers can share their thoughts, ideas, and aspirations. They continue to do so, and plan to do so for many more years to come.
Festival Highlights
Beginning Friday, August 6, the festival kicks-off at 11am with a series of shorts films and documentaries to include Starfish, Waves, Passage, Momma, and Memoirs Of A Black Girl. The evening ends with a first look at ABC’s The Wonder Years.
On Saturday, August 7, screenings begin at 11am, with a series of back to back film shorts, documentaries, and network features; including two episodes from BET her The Couch Through Her Eyes and Almost Enough. Then at 5pm, an independent film, Twenty Pearls: The Story of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. Following the screening, there will be a Color of Conversation talk-back with the director Deborah Riley Draper, National President - Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Dr. Glenda Glover, and The Honorable Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams.
Sunday, August 8 at 5pm Summer Of Soul Documentary Screening, Directed by Questlove, followed by The Color of Conversation talk-back with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Nwaka Onwusa, Chief Curator & Vice President of Curatorial Affairs and Questlove.
On Monday, August 9, BET her Presents The Mind Body & Soul Reboot with Robert Brace , an invigorating, three-day, mind, yoga and ballet inspired movement and stretch workshop, from 7am-8am.
At 6pm, Boston Globe hosts a celebration of Black joy and Black lives with a screening from its award-winning series, A Beautiful Resistance, and a special Color of Conversation with ABR Founder, Director, and Globe culture columnist Jeneé Osterheldt. The evening ends with the 8pm world premiere of Netflix’s Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali, featuring interviews with the daughters of these two powerful men. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A with the film's director Marcus A. Clarke, producer Kenya Barris and subjects from the film.
Tuesday, August 10, screenings continue with back-to-back film shorts and features, Check the schedule for listings/times here. Highlights: Blank Shores,Centerfold, The Passing On, Betye Saar, and Last Night in Rozzie.
Wednesday, August 11 at 3pm HBOMax, presents Hallowed Ground, an exclusive screening introduced by Dawn Porter, followed by a conversation with Sophia Nahli Allison, Melina Matsoukas, Patrisse Cullors. In addition, Facebook will screen We The Culture’s “House of Jubilee” short film, followed by a fireside chat with We The Culture Lead Michelle Mitchell led by festival founders Stephanie and Floyd Rance. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about Facebook's approach to giving diverse creators the power to be seen, to be heard, to build their business, and to inspire a more just and inclusive world leveraging the power of social media. Later in the evening, AMAZON presents My Name is Pauli Murray, a pioneering attorney, activist, priest and dedicated memoirist, Murray shaped landmark litigation—and consciousness—around race and gender equity.
Thursday, August 12, HBOMax will feature The Legend of The Underground, an exclusive screening and conversation with the talent behind the film, Giselle Bailey and Nneka Onuorah, from 3pm - 5pm. Last feature of the evening at 8pm, Showtime will present The One and Only Dick Gregory, followed by a talk-back with National Urban League, President & CEO Marc H. Morial and Director, Andre Gaines.
On Friday, August 13, 1pm-2:30pm, Eavesdropping On The Elder, Descended from The Promised Land, The Legacy of Black Wall Street Then, at 5:30pm Truth To Power: Barbara Lee speaking the truth, with a talk back immediately after. Then at 8:00pm Bitchin’: The Sound and Fury of Rick James,the first feature-length documentary film about life and times of one of rock, funk, and R&B’s most legendary and often under-appreciated figures, followed by a talk-back with Director, Sacha Jenkins.
The MVAAFF will conclude on Saturday, August 14 with more great documentaries, shorts and features, including an exclusive screening and conversation at 6:30pm of HBOMax’s, Obama: In Pursuit Of A More Perfect Union, followed by a conversation with the talent behind the film, Jelani Cobb. Next, Cadillac presents “The Color of Conversation: Femme Forward in Film” with film director and Academy Award® winning actress Regina King and MVAAFF co-founder Stephanie Taveras-Rance. Closing out the night is FOX’s Our Kind of People, inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham’s provocative, critically acclaimed book, “Our Kind of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class. Set in Oak Bluffs, Our Kind of People follows a strong-willed, single mom as she sets out to reclaim her family’s name and make an impact with her revolutionary haircare line that highlights the innate, natural beauty of black women. It is a soapy, thrilling exploration of race and class in America and an unapologetic celebration of black resilience and achievement.
This year’s sponsors include Presenting Sponsor, General Motors; Major Sponsor, HBOMax; Digital Sponsor, Facebook; Media Sponsor, The Boston Globe. Also, Getty Images, Dove, Netflix, Amazon, Hallmark, Higher Heights, United Artists, College Board, Showtime, Color of Change, and BET.
All screenings will take place at Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center (MVPAC) unless otherwise noted. Registration opens on Friday, August 6 at 10:00 am. Please be advised that all screenings and events are subject to change without notice.