Things to do: The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival 17th Year.

A very welcome relief from the doldrums of winter is The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival which comes around again this weekend. In its 17th year the Festival has evolved to become one of the highlights of the Vineyard calendar and by the looks of this weekend’s schedule we have some treats in store!

Last year we wrote here about some of the films that Tea Lane Associates sponsored, including the amazing documentary The Wolfpack.

This year we are sponsoring three movies out of the 24 movies that are being screened: 

On Friday evening at 8:45 is "Citizen Jane: Battle for the City", which chronicles the life of urban activist Jane Jacobs and her battle to save New York City from redevelopment.

On Saturday at 2:15pm is "Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story" a true story about a man jolted by 2,400 volts of electricty whilst in the back country of Montana and his journey to recovery.  The films director and its subject will be available for dicussion afterwards.

On Sunday at 9:30am is "Spettacolo". Filmed in and about a village in Tuscany whose villagers put on a play each year in the towns Piazza to explore and discuss their real life difficulties. Filmed entirely in Italy and including archival footage from the past 46 years.

But it’s not all about movies....

…..the festival keeps getting better and better as Festival founder, Thomas Bena and his team add more and more to this community event. The four day event is spread across four Chilmark venues including the Community Center itself, the Chilmark School and Pathways Gathering Space at the Chilmark Tavern, the weekend will include free workshops, free films and a fire pit around which to gather for “Fireside Chats” about some of the movies.

And of course there will be live music to accompany the lively discussion at the Hay Café. 

Locally source food is being prepared by Robert Lionette from Morning Glory Farm. There will be pastries from Pie Chicks. Todd Christy from Chilmark Coffee Company will be serving coffee and it wouldn’t be the movies without popcorn from MV Sea Salt.

Live music is being offered by Pickpocket Bluegrass Band, Jeremy Berlin and Nate D’Angelo amongst others. The festival is also delighted to be including Katharina Giegling, professional violinist from Germany. 

Festival Festivities kick off Thursday night with "Bill Nye: The Science Guy" at 7pm. After which there will be a discussion with Director David Alvarado.

The festival ends Sunday with the movie “Given” at 7.30pm For more information see TMVFF website here or check the local press.

See the full schedule here.

Photos Credits: The Marthas Vineyard Film Festival - Pickpockets shot: Josh Robinson-White