It’s official: Gone are the days when the island of Martha’s Vineyard slips into sleep-mode by mid-September. While final ticket tallies are not yet confirmed, organizers of the Fifth Annual Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival (held here September 9-12, 2010) report that, despite a down economy, festival ticket sales soared this year. Nine events completely sold out (including the popular opening night film BEIJING TAXI, whose director Miao Wang attended). Even advance online ticket sales were up at least 25 percent, indicating a rise in attendance by off-islanders. nnThroughout the weekend, crowds waited outside sold-out shows in the hopes more tickets would become available. At night, festivalgoers partied at Richard Lee’s Art Gallery. In all, one local journalist noted, it looked more like July 4th weekend than September. nnReasons for the surge in attendance include this year’s new Global Citizen Award, which went to veteran actor and activist Matthew Modine for his long-term dedication to environmental challenges. One of Modine’s many accomplishments is the creation of Bicycle for a Day (BicycleForaDay.org), which promotes bicycling as an alternative to driving in order to both cut pollution and promote healthier living.nnMr. Modine and his wife Cari stepped off the New Bedford Friday afternoon along with many filmmakers also attending. On Saturday night, prior to a premiere screening of Modine’s latest film, “The Trial,” Mr. Paradise and Island sculptor Barney Zeitz presented the Global Citizen Award to Mr. Modine, which Zeitz had crafted. It was the Modines’ first visit to the Vineyard, but they fit right in, hanging out in the box office and wandering to Main Street’s Mocha Motts for coffee and walking down the road to the REEL Food dinner at Saltwater Restaurant. “I knew we’d made the right choice for the Global Citizen award,” said festival director Paradise, “when I saw him standing in the lobby of Mansion House barefoot.” Just before returning to New York, Mr. Modine says they enjoyed the Island so much they plan to return for the 2011 festival.nnAnother event that drew record crowds was the new, juried short film competition. An expert panel chose NYU student Luke Matheny’s GOD OF LOVE over nearly 200 entries as the best; the audience concurred with the selection. Mr. Matheny received a $500 cash award.nnIt often seemed like a one-man show, with festival director Richard Paradise chatting up filmmakers and special guests, checking in on the box office, and introducing individual films and programs. However Paradise is quick to credit his superb army of volunteers—50 in all—and a core festival support team for the weekend’s success, especially Mary Spencer (who oversaw both box office operations and volunteer planning). Equally important were night-time party organizer Carol Beecher and Richard Lee, who lent his Main Street gallery space for those after-parties Friday and Saturday nights. Sam Dunn’s Saltwater Restaurant provided the setting and the fantastic food for the REEL Food dinner, which the Modines and most visiting filmmakers attended. Sponsor representatives Philip Hillman (Boisset America) and Ellie O’Keefe (San Pellegrino) were also crucial to the festival’s success.nnIn addition, Vineyard residents Kristi and Gary Maynard pulled off an exceptional event. The Maynards, supporters of the refugee resettlement program Mapendo.org, sponsored the showing of THE LAST SURVIVOR and a post-screening reception for Mapendo. They also flew in and hosted one of the film’s stars at the Bunch of Grapes Bookstore. Paradise cited the Maynards as an example of the type of community support that makes the film festival work.nnIn all, 24 features and 30 short films were screened during the four-day festival. Most were introduced by a special guest, such as comic veteran writer Marty Nadler, entomologist Paul Goldstein, Adam Brown, New York Times correspondent and Middle East expert Steven Kinzer, filmmaker and Vineyard resident, Victoria Campbell, author Kate Feiffer, local NPR host Mindy Todd, and Plum TV host Sissy Biggers.nnPlum TV supported the event by giving extensive on-the-spot coverage and conducting interviews with key participants like Matthew Modine and “King of Independent Animation” Bill Plympton (All videos available at: www.plumtv.com/vineyard). Plympton’s return to the Island was a welcome surprise, thanks to a change in the production schedule for his latest project. Plympton joined a team of animators who presented a special Animated Shorts show that included Plympton’s “The Cow Who Wanted To Be a Hamburger.” As Plympton, a two-time Oscar nominee, told Plum TV, “I love it [the festival] so much I keep coming back.”nnDespite the bigger-than-ever festival, director Paradise says there’s no time for laurel resting. Plans for the 2011 Sixth Annual Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival are already in the works. Key issues include expanding venues, choosing the next Global Citizen honoree, soliciting short filmmakers for the annual competition, and building a network of Island Hosts who will help lodge and transport filmmakers and special guests to the festival. nnMr. Paradise credited the vital support of all the festival’s sponsors–Amtrak, Aqua Panna, Boisset America (IDOL vodka, French Rabbit Wine), Boston Herald, Cape Air, Clarion Inn, Delegation du Quebec – Boston, Doctor’s House B&B, ECO MV, Fallon Inn, Harbor View Hotel, Holmes Hole Builders, Mansion House Inn, Martha’s Vineyard Film Society, Martha’s Vineyard Chamber, Martha’s Vineyard Savings Bank, MV Cultural Council, Mass Cultural Council, MVY Radio, MVOL.com, MV Songwriters Festival, MV Permanent Endowment Plum TV, MV Times, Point Way Inn, San Pellegrino, Sapporo Beer, Seastreak, TicketsMV.com, Tisbury Business Assoc., Water View Homes, WCAI, Zephrus Restaurant, 1720 House B&B –for making the event possible.”nn
n2010 Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival Trailer produced by animators Noelle & Joy Vaccese (www.twinsareweird.com)nnAbout Martha’s Vineyard International Film FestivalnThe Combining the laidback beach style of the island of Martha’s Vineyard with the buzz and excitement of festival celebrating films from across the globe – The Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival (www.mvfilmfest.com) is an amazing experience not to be missed.nnFour days filled with the best feature and short films from top-notch festivals such as Sundance, Berlin and Cannes (with a few undiscovered gems thrown in!), great evening events, provocative forums and live world music – all within the ‘Walking Festival District’. And don’t forget – Martha’s Vineyard has some of the most beautiful beaches in America.nnThe recurring theme of the annual Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival is “Other Places”; the festival’s purpose is to encourage attendees to think broadly (about how huge the world of film is) and deeply (about the universal concerns and desires that unite all people). About 90% of all film selections are non-US productions, helping to fulfill the festival mission of promoting cross-cultural understanding through film.nnThe International Film Festival is produced by the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society. Established in February 2002 by Richard Paradise, the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society, Inc. (www.mvfilmsociety.com) is a member-funded 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization dedicated to screening the best in independent films, movie classics, documentaries, and world cinema for diverse audiences of all ages throughout the calendar year.Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival Richard Paradise Cell: 774-392-2972 [Alt Phone: 508-274-3068] Contact Richard via email
ABC Fine Wine and Spirits Embraces Dry January With Cheeky New Ad Campaign
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