2008 Martha's Vineyard Film Festival

March 14 – 16 at the Chilmark Community Center

Founded in 2000, the Martha's Vineyard Film Festival began as a one-day winter movie marathon. Eight years later, the Festival has become an eagerly awaited annual event non Martha's Vineyard.  And though the event has grown in both scope and popularity,  the goal remains the same: to present films that spark thought, debate and offer alternative views to the mainstream media.  Each year the MVFF incorporates lengthy intermissions and informed discussions led by filmmakers, the film’s subject and or an expert in the field.

Films for Film Lovers
If it is powerful, controversial and beautiful,it will probably appear on the MVFF screen.
In years past, fishing rights, pornography, Native American land use, euthanasia, global warming, art, contemporary relationships and the war in Iraq have all been considered and explored. This year, diverse issues as geographically immediate as affordable housing and as globally compelling as the experience of war will be examined.

WHERE TO STAY The Mansion House Inn, Health Club and Spa, located in downtown Vineyard Haven offers 10% off  weekend room rates for Festival attendees. For more information click here

 Share the Experience
 During the Festival's three days, the Vineyard  community  and guests from around the world have the opportunity to see films, be challenged, hear music and be inspired all while eating handfuls of popcorn and delicious food from the Scottish Bakehouse. The MVFF also presents a summer festival at which you might see Wes Craven, Mike Wallace or Carly Simon hanging out and talking with local children and their families.

Emmy award winning filmmaker Kate Davis describes the scene, “Having traveled with my films from Sundance to Berlin to Havana to Yamagata in Japan, I believe the Martha’s Vineyard Independent Film Festival is like no other…the festival experience is infused with community spirit and intellectual curiosity.”

Films People are Talking  About                    Each year, the festival’s screening committee pours over films gathered from national and international markets finding works that represent the best in independent film making. Their only rule is that they must feel excited by the material and form. In addition to the narrative features that they program, they also include shorts, documentaries, animation, experimental films and kid’s movies.  MVFF director Thomas Bena says, “We want you to discover films and filmmakers who you haven’t heard of yet.” To read an interview with Thomas Bena click here

Free Cinema for Kids
New to this year’s festival, the MVFF is presenting the first annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival for Kids.  “We’re giving Island kids their due this year by expanding our family programming into two full days of films for children, free of cost, at the Chilmark library,” said Festival  founder Thomas Bena.  The MVFF conceived of the children’s event as a way to introduce kids to the festival experience, while allowing parents more flexibility to see films they might otherwise have missed.  Kids can watch films at the library, while their parents catch the screenings at the Chilmark Community Center.

Check it out
The 8th Annual Martha’s Vineyard Independent Film Festival will take place March 14 – 16 at the Chilmark Community Center. Spend an evening, or the weekend, and enjoy watching films with family and friends.<schedule>

Download 2008 film bill.

Photos by David Welch