The Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) descended upon the island of Martha’s Vineyard for the 22nd year in August 2nd through 11th. Founded by husband and wife team, Stephanie and Floyd Rance, the festival showcased the best in Black cinema featuring big studio productions, independent films, shorts, documentaries, panel discussions, and a host of exclusive events . With its commitment to providing a platform for black and brown filmmakers to share their unique stories and perspectives, the festival has attracted A-list talent and audiences from around the world. Festival attendance grows each year.
This year’s list of luminaries included Oscar-nominee Coleman Domingo, who kicked off opening night with the screening of the powerful A24 release “Sign Sing” in which he stars and was on hand to answer questions after the screening. Emmy-winning actress and singer Shery Lee Ralph sat down with The Hollywood Reporter’s co-editor-in-cheif Nekesa Mumbi Moody for a Fireside chat about her hit series Abbott Elementary and her long distinguished career in entertainment. Closing the festival were Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle, Chloe Bailey and Will Packer celebrating the premiere of Peacock’s limited series Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, from Packer. The world premiere of “The Supremes at Earl’s All You Can Eat” was the festival centerpiece starring Sanaa Lathan, Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Mekhi Phifer. The ladies hosted a Q&A and were also seen enjoying the island, taking pictures with fans and dancing the night away at the festival’s annual white party. Lathan was honored later in the week at the #MVAAFF Black excellence brunch presented by natural hair brand Camille Rose.
Kicking off festival weekend with an exclusive culinary experience was chef and author Patrick Neely of the Food Network, joined by renowned Chef Juan Martinez of the Harbor View Hotel, Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard. Also featured were wines curated by Boston’s own Black Owned Sommelier, TJ Douglas.
Other notable events were the highly anticipated screening of the documentary “Luther: Never Too Much” from director Dawn Porter and, another also from Porter, “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys. Also most talked about were “Stax: Soulville U.S.A.” from Jamila Wignot, “The Debutantes” from Contessa Gayles. and the short documentary’s “How To Sue The Klan with Benjamin Crump,” and “Daughters” from director Angela Patton.
RELATED: MVAAFF premiere of Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World from Chuck D
My Favorites
My highlights of the festival were Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, of course and the documentary “It Was All A Dream” from director/author/producer dream hampton. Although I saw the documentary at the Tribeca Film Festival, I was excited to see the film again. It is packed with never-before-seen footage of hip hop greats notably Notorious B.I.G. all laughs, jokes and smiles and many more rare moments.
Also not to be missed is “The Supremes at Earls All-You-Can-Eat” starring all of my favorite actresses, Sanaa, Uzo and Aunjanue, and directed by Tina Mabry. The story follows 3 inseparable best friends navigating their teen years through the ups and downs of adulthood. The Supremes will be streaming on Hulu beginning August 23. ”
The festival did a great job with events this year. My favorite was the annual White Party. A beautifully decorated outdoor event under a white tent. White attire was a must and everyone complied. Drinks from Jack Daniels, music from Chris Washington and DJ SNS gave us old school and new school jams celebrating Def Jam Recordings’ 40th Anniversary.
2024 MVAAFF Winners
Three films took home top prizes at the 2024 festival: “Albany Road,” a drama with Renee Elise Goldsberry and Lynn Whitfield, won best feature. “Rebel Girls,” about girls growing up in the Jim Crow era, took home best short film, and best documentary went to A King Like Me, about the New Orleans’ Black Zulu club.
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.
Check out mvaaff.com and @mvaaff on IG for more information about the festival
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