The Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival Announces Sneak Peaks and Special Programs

NEW YORK - Aug. 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Stephanie and A.B. Rance III, founders of the The Run & Shoot Filmworks Martha's Vineyard African-American Film Festival (MVAAFF), have unveiled the film titles set to screen at the 11th MVAAFF.  The slate of films includes 38 shorts (5 in HBO’s Short Film Competition), 6 Documentaries (4 in HBO’s Best Documentary Competition) and 8 Features (5 in HBO’s Best Feature Competition). This year the film festival features special screenings and “sneak peaks” of: Black Nativity, 12 Years a Slave and Robert Redford’s The March.  The MVAAFF will also screen Fox Searchlight’s, highly anticipated Baggage Claim on August 9 at Edgartown Cinemas.  

The 11th Run & Shoot Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival runs from August 6 – August 10, 2013.  A detailed schedule and of the festival can be found on the website by visiting http://www.mvaaff.com.  Tickets can be purchased for the festival on the website or at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center in Oak Bluff from August 6 - August 10, 2013 starting at 11 AM.

“Martha’s Vineyard is an ideal location for the festival because of location and atmosphere.  Lifestyle on the island is relaxing and celebrities, filmmakers and financiers can enjoy themselves without the hassle of the Hollywood scene,” states Floyd Rance. The film festival is a perfect launchpad for films and production teams to network and screen their films for the first time. Anticipated films and sneak peaks for this years’ festival include:

●      Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley

●      Anita (Panel discussion with Anita Hill)

●      Baggage Claim (Private screening hosted by Fox Searchlight)

●      The March (Sneak Peak hosted by PBS)

●      Black Nativity (Sneak Peak hosted by Fox Searchlight)

●      12 Years a Slave (Sneak Peak hosted by Fox Searchlight)

SNEAK PEAKS

The March - PBS / (Director: John Akomfrah) – The March recounts the story behind the 1963 March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered the final stirring rendition of his “I Have a Dream” speech in front of more than 250,000 people gathered on the National Mall.  Co-produced by Robert Redford.

Black Nativity – Fox Searchlight / (Director: Kasi Lemmons) - A street-wise teen from Baltimore who has been raised by a single mother travels to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday with his estranged relatives, where he embarks on a surprising and inspirational journey. Starring: Forest Whitaker, Angela Bassett, and Jennifer Hudson

12 Years a Slave – Fox Searchlight / (Director: Steve McQueen) – In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Starring: Brad Pitt, Michael Fassbender, Chiwetel Ejiofor

Other highlights include a special panel discussion with Sheldon J. Levy of Saatchi and Saatchi, interviews with cast from The March.  A complete listing of the MVAAFF schedule can be found by visiting mvaaff.com.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Tuesday, August 6, 2013
7:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Wharton Sports Business Academy presents 42: The Jackie Robinson Story and a panel discussion with:  Dr. Yohuru Williams, William C. Rhoden, and Professor Ken Shropshire

Thursday, August 8, 2013
8:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Screening of “ANITA” documentary followed by a Q &A with: Professor Anita Hill,
Academy Award winning Director Frieda Mock, Professor Charles Ogletree, and John W. Carr. The Panel will be moderated by WBUR NPR radio host, Iris Adler.

Friday, August 9, 2013
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Saatchi & Saatchi presents a panel discussion titled: Diversity & Inclusion in Commercial Production: “Step Up Your Game.” Panelists include: Sheldon J. Levy (Saatchi&Saatchi EVP / Exec. Dir. Broadcast Production), Vida Cornelious (GlobalHue Advertising, Chief Creative Officer), and is being moderated by Valerie Adams.

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

Friday, August 9, 2013
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM

Whoopi Goldberg Presents Moms Mabley (HBO) / (Director: Whoopi Goldberg) - Having broken racial and sexual boundaries as a pioneering comictalent, the late Moms Mabley has long been an icon in the comedy world.A true passion project for WhoopiGoldberg, I Got Somethin’ to Tell You shows Moms Mabley’s historical significance and profound influence as a performer vastly ahead of her time.

8:00 PM
Edgartown Cinemas

Baggage Claim (Fox Searchlight) / (Director: David E. Talbert) - Pledging to keep herself from being the oldest and the only woman in her entire family never to wed, Montana embarks on a thirty-day, thirty-thousand-mile expedition to charm a potential suitor into becoming her fiancé.

Saturday, August 10, 2013
7:30 PM

The March (PBS) / (Director: John Akomfrah) - PBS will share an excerpt from the film that honors the 50th Anniversary of the original March on Washington that took place on August 28, 1963. The film’s rare archival footage recounts the dramatic events that occurred both in front of cameras and behind the scenes. The excerpt will be followed by Episode One of March @ 50 by Shukree Tilghman. Q & A will following and include Nik Eley-Carr, Shukree Tilghman and a cast member from the film.

Ticket Packages are now on sale, online 24 hours a day at mvaaff.com, or purchase your ticket at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center starting August 6, 2013 11 a.m. For more information, contact the Communications Department at 310.734.8159 or email jewell@mvaaff.com.

About Run and Shoot Filmworks 
The mission of the festival’s production company is to provide a positive environment where filmmakers can share their thoughts, visions and aspirations. In addition, the company has produced commercials for clients such as Foot Action, Spaulding, Reebok, Nike and NBC Sports.

 About Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival MVAAFF is a five day film festival that showcases the works of independent and established African-American filmmakers. Established in 2002, the MVAAFF is one of the fastest growing film festivals. Visit http://www.mvaaff.com.  A video promo for the festival can be found here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUD-GILyTHw.



Social Media
Twitter @MVFILMFESTIVAL (http://www.twitter.com/mvfilmfestival)
Hashtags #SHINEBRIGHT #MVAAFF
Facebook: Facebook.com/Marthas-Vineyard-AA-Film-Festival

Sponsors 
The 2013 Run & Shoot Filmworks Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) is sponsored and supported by Saatchi & Saatchi, HBO, Macy’s, Lacoste, and PBS. Additional support is provided by 92.7 WBUA, SagIndie, Xfinity, Wharton Sports Business Academy and Sociologie Wines. http://www.mvaaff.com/sponsors