Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival Returns for 23rd Year with Star-Studded Lineup

The Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival Makes its Return to the Island for the 23rd Year with Luminaries Such as Michelle Obama, Issa Rae, Spike Lee, Mara Brock Akil, Dave Chapelle, Courtney B. Vance, Tracee Ellis Ross, Aldis Hodge and Jennifer Hudson Set to Attend

The 23rd Annual Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival will take over the quaint town of Oak Bluffs on the island of Martha’s Vineyard from August 1st to August 9th with a long list A-List star power scheduled to appear. The festival continues to grow in popularity, attracting bigger names each year.  And this year is no exception with comedian Dave Chapelle hosting a reception/fundraiser and screening of his highly anticipated documentary “Dave Chapelle: Live In Real Life,” as well as television creator/producer Mara Brock Akil (“Girlfriends”) taking the stage for a chat about her Netflix hit “Forever,” and Issa Rae debuting her HBO documentary “Seen & Heard.” Spike Lee will also make an appearance along with actress LeChanze debuting scenes from the much talked about film “Highest 2 Lowest” which stars Denzel Washington and LeChanze.

Also look for a conversation with “Black-ish” star Tracee Ellis Ross and a screening of her Roku channel show “Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross;”as well as a live version of the popular podcast “IMO” (In My Opinion) starring Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson interviewing “The White Lotus” star Natasha Rothwell. 

Also making its showing at the festival is the controversial, “A Portrait of the American Dream: Telling the Story of Oak Bluffs,” a short film about the coastal village of Oak Bluffs, a haven for Black vacationers on Martha’s Vineyard, presented by Ralph Lauren. Celebrating the role of style and self-expression, the panel discussion will feature Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation and Director of the Ralph Lauren Board of Directors and long-time Oak Bluffs resident. Dr. Carla D. Thompson Payton, of the W.K Kellogg Foundation will moderate as the panel discusses the significance of Oak Bluffs and the new Oak Bluffs leisure line from Ralph Lauren Polo. 

James M. Jeter, Ralph Lauren’s first Black creative director and a Morehouse alum, has created the Oak Bluffs collection launched this summer, in partnership with Spelman and Morehouse Colleges, to highlight the legacy and rich African American history of the hamlet of Oak Bluffs. Even amid some controversy about the price point, the line has been a huge hit and is completely sold out online. 

The 2025 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival will mark the former first lady’s second festival appearance. Mrs. Obama and former president Barack Obama made a surprise appearance at the festival in 2022 premiering their documentary “Descendants” from their production company Higher Ground. 

MVAAFF has always featured big studio films as well as independent releases, short films, documentaries, television shows and industry panel discussions with top filmmakers. Film studios and television networks also descend upon the island hosting receptions, brunches and cocktail events to celebrate their latest releases. Festival co-founders Floyd Rance and Stephanie Tavares-Rance of Run&Shoot Filmworks have had faith in their vision for the festival since its launch in 2002, and have enlisted the help of sponsors like ESPN, Google, Netflix, Warner Bros., HBO Max, audible and many more. 

Hosting the Martha’s eMartha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival in Oak Bluffs has a special significance. The small town was one of only a few places in the country during the Jim Crow era, and even as far back as 1912, that allowed Blacks to vacation, enjoy the beach, rent rooms and even buy vacation homes. It soon became a place where middle class Blacks could vacation comfortably without the pressures of segregation and discrimination. The town has grown to become the vacation haven for Black professionals, artists, and intellectuals. Notable vacationers include: Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Dorothy West, Madame C.J. Walker, Ethel Waters, Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Toni Morrison, Coleson Whitehead, and Spike Lee, to name a few.

Other Highlights at #MVAAFF2025 include:

• Jennifer Hudson, daytime host and EGOT winner will appear and grace the “Spotlight on Excellence” stage presented by Warner Bros discussing her long career.

• Actors Courtney B.Vance, Keith David and Lynette Ramirez (President of Bassett Vance Productions) are set to take over the MVAAFF Vineyard Lounge for the panel discussion,  The Business of Storytelling: Producing and Direction for Multiple Platforms. This discussion will give viewers an understanding of the content creation process and the delicate balance of maintaining relatability and cultural resonance in a constantly changing landscape. 

• Actor Aldis Hodge and filmmaker Andre Gaines will present a screening of the thriller “ The Dutchman” based on the play by Amiri Baraka, also starring André Holland. The film follows a tense encounter between a young Black man, Clay, and a white woman, Lula, on a NYC subway.

• Journalist Soledad O’Brien brings us an early look at her gripping documentary “The Perfect Neighbor,” which explores the 2023 killing of Ajike Owens by her neighbor, Susan Lorincz in Florida. Using body cam footage, the film examines Stand Your Ground laws and more.

• Lynn Whitfield and Luke James will discuss their Showtime hit television drama, “The Chi,” which focuses on the interconnected lives of a Chicago South Side community as they navigate life, love, family and often violence.

• Bethann Hardison, history-making former model and agent, hosts a screening and discussion of her documentary film “Invisible Beauty,” investigating the politics of the fashion industry and the decades-long battle for diversity.

• Musician Marcus Miller and journalist/producer dream hampton lead a discussion and screening of “We Want the Funk,” a documentary about Funk music. The cast includes commentary from Questlove, Fred Wesley of the J.B.’s, Nona Hendrix of LaBelle, David Byrne of The Talking Heads, Paul Huston of Stetsasonic and more.

• Lil Rel Howry and director Chazitear host a screening of the dramedy “The Class Reunion” starring Howry. The film revolves around five former high school classmates accidentally locked in their high school cafeteria during their ten-year reunion. Tensions, secrets and grudges are confronted.

• Marcus McAllister of McAllister Consultancy will present the documentary “Pieces of the Puzzle” which centers around the Community Violence Intervention program – a movement behind the historic 14% decline in gun violence in 2024. 

• Co-directors and producers Riche Holmes Grant and Evolyn Brooks will debut their documentary short Good Home Training, celebrating Black women who have raised America and shaped the way we live. Through storytelling, a shared meal, and hands-on baking sessions, the film honors figures like Malinda Russell – believed to be the first Black person to self-publish a cookbook – while connecting her legacy to modern creatives.

• Director/producer duo Ashley Shanté Deese and Brandon Gerard Deese debuted their documentary Our Blues Make Us Gold, a moving documentary chronicling the legacy of North Carolina A&T State University. The filmmakers set out to re-write the narrative around the vibrant history and future of HBCU’s like NCA&T and defend these institutions’ often disparaged legitimacy. With commentary from Michelle Obama, David Banner, Kamala Harris, Rev. Al Sharpton and many more.
• Old school hip-hop artist Slick Rick also stops by the festival to debut his film “Victory,” which Rick has said is a “visual blend of art and heart.” The film stars and is produced by actor and DJ Idris Elba and stars rappers Nas and Giggs, and accompanies Slick Rick’s first album in over 26 years by the same name. 

• Political star power will also be showing up at MVAAFF with Rev. Al .Al Sharpton participating in a Fireside Chat with dynamic Congresswomen Jasmine Crockett and Ayanna Presley.

Check out the festival schedule at Mvaaff.com

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