MARTHA’S VINEYARD AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING AMPLIFYING BLACK VOICES, STORYTELLING AND CULTURE
SEARCHLIGHT PICTURES ‘THE SUPREMES” MAKES ITS WORLD PREMIERE AND TAKES CENTERPIECE WITH AUNJANUE ELLIS-TAYLOR, SANAA LATHAN, UZO ADUBA, MEKHI PHIFER & WRITER/DIRECTOR TINA MABRY
CYNTHIA ERIVO, the previously announced star of WICKED, will host a Color of Conversation
MARTHA’S VINEYARD, MA – JULY 16 2024 – Key programming continues for the 22nd annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) taking place August 2nd – 10th. The festival continues its exemplary slate of programming with featured content celebrating Black voices iconic documentaries and their signature Q&A series, Color of Conversation from Run & Shoot Filmworks and Festival Co-Founders Floyd and Stephanie Rance.
Kicking off an impressive week of engagements at the top of the week, on August 5th at 5:00pm Netflix will present the ‘Sundance Award-Winning Documentary’, “Daughters.” Amoving portrait of empathy and forgiveness, Daughters traces an eight-year documentary journey by social change advocate Angela Patton and filmmaker Natalie Rae. The film intimately follows Aubrey, Santana, Raziah, and Ja’Ana as they prepare for a momentous Daddy Daughter Dance with their incarcerated fathers. A Color of Conversation, will follow with Directors Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, along with Fatherhood Coach Chad Morris.
ESPN Films’ 30 for 30, Hulu, and Onyx Collective proudly present “Celebrate Black Stories” at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.
Join us for the highly anticipated event, “Celebrate Black Stories,” hosted by ESPN Films’ 30 for 30, Hulu, and Onyx Collective. Taking place on August 6th at the Harbor View Hotel, beginning at 3pm. This highly anticipated event offers filmmakers a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals and showcase their work in a supportive and empowering environment. Join us for a day of inspiration, networking, and the celebration of Black stories in film.
At 8:00pm, Motion Entertainment and A&E present “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys,” the first official feature documentary about the Grammy nominated musician and legendary founding member of the iconic hip-hop group Wu-Tang Clan. A Color of Conversation will follow with father and son Directors Sam and Jason Pollard.
On August 7th at 11:00am, The Bonds of Brotherhood luncheon will shine a light on the power of male relationships. This signature event hosted by Floyd A.B. Rance, brings together influential men from various walks of life – from business and sports, to arts and community leadership. Through open dialogue and shared experiences, attendees will explore how the bonds they form with others can lead to personal growth, professional success, and a stronger, more compassionate community. The luncheon will be held at the Harbor View Hotel and is sponsored by Tom Ford Beauty, Food Corps and McKinsey & Company. Gifting provided by Tiffany & Co. and TCM.
At 6pm, Emmy, Grammy and Tony award winning powerhouse and 2x Oscar nominee Cynthia Erivo will participate in a Color of Conversation. The discussion will feature a retrospective of Cynthia’s illustrious career from her roles in Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple and more, leading up to her starring role as Elphaba in the upcoming Universal Pictures film Wicked.
Beginning at 8:00pm our Centerpiece, THE SUPREMES, takes the stage as Searchlight Pictures presents The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat. The film follows a trio of best friends (Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan) known as “The Supremes” who, for decades, have weathered life’s storms together through marriage and children, happiness and blues. Now, as heartbreak and illness stir up the past and threaten to destroy their friendship, Odette, Barbara Jean and Clarice see their bond put to the test as they go through their most challenging times yet. A Color of Conversation, moderated by Cori Murray, will following featuring Uzo, Aunjanue, Sanaa, Mekhi Phifer and director, Tina Mabry. The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat begins streaming August 23rd only on Hulu.
On Thursday, August 8th, the annual Women’s C-Suite luncheon will take place at the Harbor view Hotel at 11:30am. Bringing together a dynamic gathering of female trailblazers who have shattered glass ceilings and continue to redefine leadership, this event provides a platform for executives across multiple disciplines, to share their journeys, insights and strategies for success. This year’s theme BOLD will celebrate the unique design of black and brown women who personify success, lead with integrity and find meaning in community and strong relationships.
Friday, August 9th, at 6:00pm Warner Brothers Television presents Emperor of Ocean Park featuring Showrunner & Executive Producer, Sherman Payne, Grantham Coleman and Tiffany Mack. A Color of Conversation will follow.
At 8:30pm The Record Academy presents Luther: Never Too Much, the fascinating life-story of famed R&B Singer, Luther Vandross. A Color of Conversation will follow with the film’s director, Dawn Porter.
Additional screenings and panel discussions will continue to be updated throughout the festival. All screenings and events will take place at Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center (MVPAC) 100 Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.
For more information on the MVAAFF and a complete schedule of screenings and special events, please visit www.mvaaff.com.
About Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
The MVAAFF, established in 2002, is an OSCAR®-qualifying film festival in the short film category. It is a nine-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 the husband-and-wife team Floyd and Stephanie Rance, the MVAAFF provides a nurturing environment for African American filmmakers to test their creativity while giving sponsors a captive audience to promote their brands among a highly discerning community of people of color.
About Run&Shoot Filmworks
Run&Shoot Filmworks, the producer of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) and the Color of Conversation Film Festival (COCFF), is a film production company credited with creating outstanding visual work for several clients, including HBO, Martell Cognac, Reebok, NBC Sports, Hallmark Channel and Footlocker. For the past 20 years, Run&Shoot Filmworks has produced the MVAAFF and the COCFF with the primary goal of providing a positive environment where filmmakers can share their thoughts, ideas, and aspirations.
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