Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival has become a highly anticipated event on Martha’s Vineyard.

The Film Festival runs in August, with an impressive slate of films, documentaries, panel discussions, and exclusive events focused on amplifying Black voices, storytelling, and culture. The MVAAFF is an Oscar-qualifying annual film festival, established in 2002 by Run & Shoot Filmworks principals Floyd and Stephanie Rance.

Martha’s Vineyard, just off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts, is a historic enclave for African Americans. During the summer season, it attracts an influx of guests, making a substantial economic impact on local businesses and supporting the island’s economy.

The MVAAFF welcomes filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts to experience rich storytelling and thought-provoking films.

Founders Floyd and Stephanie Rance along with the MVAAFF team provide opportunities for first-time filmmakers by amplifying new voices. The films cover a range of thought-provoking topics that have dominated headlines and conversations.

“Martha’s Vineyard is such a special place to everyone, and it has a special history for African Americans,” Stephanie Rance said, “And I find that when people come to the festival, they’re just like, ‘this is amazing’. It’s our happy place.’”

Over the years, the event has shown indie films and big studio productions, and several years ago, it received accreditation as a qualifying festival for the short film category at the Oscars. In 2022, “Descendant,” the Netflix documentary produced by the Obamas’ production company, Higher Ground, opened the festival with a surprise appearance from former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Festival Highlights

On Aug. 2, the festival opened with the new A24 film “Sing Sing” and an appearance from Colman Domingo, the film’s star, alongside Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey. This year, the festival screened about 70 films, including shorts, features, and documentaries. There were panels, parties, and high-profile networking events around the small island between screenings.

“Food, Black Farmers and Conservation”, featured an exclusive preview of the documentary “Rooted.” The screening was followed by an inspiring discussion with Germaine Jenkins, co-founder of Fresh Future Farm, and James Page, TNC’s Chief Global DEI Officer.

Color of Conversation followed the screening of ‘Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat with Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Sanaa Lathan, and director Tina Mabry.

Based on Edward Kelsey Moore’s 2013 bestselling novel, the film follows best friends Odette (Ellis-Taylor), Barbara Jean (Lathan) and Clarice (Aduba), nicknamed “The Supremes,” who share the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood from decades of weathering life’s storms. Through the joys and sorrows of life, marriage and children, happiness and blues, love and loss, new shades of heartbreak and illness threaten to stir up the past when the trio sees their bond put to the test as they face their most challenging times yet.

Peacock hosted a screening of episode 1 of Fight Night.  Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, based on the acclaimed iHeart true-crime podcast, follows the infamous story of how an armed robbery on the night of Muhammad Ali’s historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life but ultimately transformed Atlanta into the “Black Mecca.”

The evening included a lively star-studded panel, screening, and closing night party. Festival Founders Floyd and Stephanie Rance welcomed the packed audience and introduced the programming, starting with The Power of Legacy and Influence: A Conversation with Will Packer.

Will Packer, showrunner, creator, and executive producer Shaye Ogbonna, along with star-studded cast members Taraji P. Henson, Don Cheadle, and Chloe Bailey, engaged in discussions moderated by journalists Danielle Cadet and Tiffany Cross.

The Closing Night Party of the festival at The Loft with notable guests including singer song-writer, Ledisi, actor Lamman Rucker, President of MSNBC, Rashida Jones, businesswoman Valeisha Jones, best-selling author and television personality Elaine Welteroth, and more who celebrated with the cast and executive producers.

The 2024 MVAAFF featured outstanding activations and events across the Island. Simply Beverages sponsored the Vineyard Lounge, an enclosed tent located near the film festival venue, which highlighted artistic talents, authors, and special guests. Other sponsors included ESPN Films, 30 for 30, Netflix, Jones and Rose, and Tom Ford Beauty.

Jones and Rose a luxury bath and body brand from Jacksonville, Florida, proudly sponsored the MVAAFF, with Founder Christie Jones Bird and Assistant Store Manager Ebony Carter actively engaging with event attendees. Known for their natural-based, experiential fragrances for both women and men, Jones and Rose was specially invited to collaborate with Simply Lemonade, which curated several experiential installations at the event. As part of this collaboration, Jones and Rose designed a one-of-a-kind mixology station, where attendees had the opportunity to create their own personalized mini travel-sized Body Soufflés.

The World of Hyatt hosted Bar Noir featured an evening of cocktails, conversation, and community building at the Martha’s Vineyard Museum on Vineyard Haven. Tyronne Stoudemire, the Senior Vice President of Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Hyatt Corporation, talked about the hospitality brand’s commitment to advancing and supporting Black entrepreneurship.

In response to the death and murder of George Floyd, Stoudemire and his team created a program, Change Starts Here. Launched in 2020, Stoudemire touched on the initiative’s effort to address systemic racism through three key areas: who they employ, develop, and advance; the communities they support; and who they buy from and partner with.

In addition to employment opportunities, the program also opens doors to further managerial advancement, community development, and supplier diversity.

Furthermore, it has provided $1 million over three years to six community-based organizations located in Chicago, Atlanta, and Minneapolis. “It’s just not about the money, it’s about care. It’s just not about care, it’s about helping people to grow [and] invest in businesses,” he added.

The 2024 MVAAFF showcased exceptional activations supported by Simply. The beverage sponsor sponsored the Vineyard Lounge, an enclosed tent set next to the film festival venue, showcases artistic talents, authors, and notable guests.

Assets/Photos: Courtesy of Arnold Turner/Peacock and Patrick Camilien