Martha s Vineyard Film Society 2010 Annual Report February 2011 Over 1,000 came to the Tabernacle to watch Victoria Campbell s HOUSE OF BONES Activities Overview In 2010, the activities/programs of the MV Film Society included the 5th annual Martha s Vineyard International Film Festival September 9-12; the 6 th Summer Film Series at the Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs; the 10 th year of screening independent/international films at the Katharine Cornell Theatre; and several special programs to raise funds for other charitable organizations on the Vineyard. In all, over 12,000 individual admissions were purchased, and over 85 feature or short films were shown in multiple venues across the island throughout 2010. We currently have over 500 paid members involved with the film society and utilize the services of over 50 volunteers throughout the year. The financial health of the non-profit is strong and sustainable. For a complete summary of our budget and financial picture, please contact Richard Paradise at rich@mvfilmsociety.com National And Regional Recognition The Martha s Vineyard International Film Festival was named one of MovieMaker Magazine s top film festivals for 2010.
The MV International Film Festival has been honored at the International Film Festival Summit s with an Excellence Award for a Regional film festival. Richard Paradise, the executive director of the Society has been a speaker at the IFFS conference each of the last two years. He also participated at the Student Academy Awards viewing and voting for semifinalists winning films. He has also participated at the 2010 Berlin Film Festival, European Film Market, and the Tribeca Film Festival as an industry professional. In 2010, The Film Society was a recipient of a $2500 peer grant from Mass Cultural Council, a $1000 grant from the Permanent Fund and a $1340 grant from the MV Cultural Council. On a national level, the Film Society has received a grant from the Fledgling Fund for its 2011 International Film Festival. On-going Film Society Programs/Events At the Capawock Theatre for film festival screening Our annual Martha s Vineyard International Film Festival takes place each September second weekend. At the 2010 festival we screened 23 featured films and over two-dozen short films during the 4-day festival. Of the over 2500 festival attendees, about 40% came from off-island, and the festival s attendance was up 11% from 2009. We hosted a number of filmmakers and industry professionals including Animator Bill Plympton, filmmakers Miao Wang (BEIJING TAXI), Matthew Modine (THE TRIAL), Steven Kinzer (THE DESERT OF FORBIDDEN ART) to name a few. In 2010 asked filmmakers from around the world to submit a short film of 15 minutes or less for our jury competition. A final group of 10 films were showcased at the festival and from that group our jury of filmmakers and industry professionals select the winning
short film GOD OF LOVE for our Top Jury Prize. Eventually GOD OF LOVE went on to win the 2010 Academy Award of Live-Action Short in February 2011. We also honored actor Matthew Modine for his international humanitarian and environmental work by bestowing our festival s first Global Citizens Award to him. Our award presentation was followed by a screening of Mr. Modine s newest film, THE TRIAL, at the Capawock Theatre in Vineyard Haven. Actor Matthew Modine with his Global Citizen Award with Richard Paradise outside Capawock Theatre In addition to the film screenings, we organized several daytime and evening events that facilitated interaction among festival participants. Some of the highlights included an
Opening Night reception on the Mansion House Inn roof, Filmmaker Dinner at Saltwater Restaurant, the excitement of themed music nights at Richard Lee Gallery, and the beauty of a Vineyard sunset at the closing reception at the Vineyard Haven Marina. Based on feedback from attendees, filmmakers, and local businesses, the Film Festival was a resounding success. This year s festival films came from every corner of the globe: Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom, Germany, North Korea, Denmark, France, Albania, Romania, Canada, Argentina, Afghanistan, and more. The opening night feature, BEIJING TAXI related the changing times of China s capital city leading up to the 2008 Summer Olympics. Its creator, Miao Wang, spoke at the opening night screening. The entire 2010 film program is still available on the festival s web site at www.mvfilmfest.com The festival continues to be directed under the stewardship of Richard Paradise. Mary Spencer, for a fourth year, coordinated a team of over 60 volunteers comprised of experienced and new staffers. The team worked together very effectively and in general the daily workings of the Festival were smooth. Carol Beecher provided super event coordination for the entire fun weekend. And we greatly appreciate our venues owners: The Town of Tisbury (Katherine Cornell Theatre), The Mansion House Inn, The Vineyard Playhouse, and the Hall Family, owners of the Capawock Theatre. If you have ideas or suggestions to improve the festival or if you know of people who would like to volunteer for this year s, please contact Mary directly at maryvineyard@verizon.net Film crowd gathers for screening of Award winning documentary EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP
Katharine Cornell Theatre Film Series From January through December (excluding July and August when the theatre is used by local theatre groups) the MV Film Society screens weekly movies, mainly consisting of foreign language, documentary, and short films. Attendance ranges from 80-120, with many films selling out throughout the year (especially during our French film series). The film series has become a well-loved off-season offering for Islanders and epitomizes our commitment to providing year-round programming to the island community. We also are one of three destinations in the State of Massachusetts to screen the annual Manhattan Short Film Festival and the annual Oscar Nominated Short Film programs. Another successful festival screening at the Katharine Cornell Theatre Tabernacle Summer Film Series For six weeks in July and August the MV Film Society screened independent films at the historic Tabernacle in Trinity Park, Oak Bluffs. These events attract a large audience and have included guest speakers/filmmakers and even an annual silent film accompanied by live music. The beauty of the Tabernacle at night makes this a special way to watch a film. Island Charitable Collaboration The MV Film Society cooperates each year with several Vineyard non-profits to present a film and discussion that complements that organization s mission. The goal is to raise
funds and awareness in the community for these other non-profit organizations. In 2010, the Film Society collaborated with the FARM Institute by presenting an outdoor movie screening at its Katama Farm; the MV Agricultural Society at its spring potluck, at the Tabernacle to raise funds with Galen Films for Children Media Voices, Martha's Vineyard Waterways, and MV Museum. 2011 And Beyond Volunteerism We are thankful for the volunteerism of our nine persons Board of Directors: Richard Berkley, Kate Feiffer, Susan Kantrowitz, Mary Spencer, Phyllis Kugler, Brenda Horrigan, Richard Paradise, Anne Evasick, and Stephen Zablotny. We also recognize the 60+ volunteers that help throughout the year with our programming and events. Teen Media Literacy Project at MVRHS The Film Society continues to cooperate with the MVRHS Art Department and local filmmaker Chuck Noonan to provide a video/film club for high school students to increase their media literacy. Its our hope that this club will evolve into a academic course and students will create media projects that tell their perspective on a number of topics and issues important to them. Cooperating with MV Museum on its CIVIL WAR exhibit In the summer of 2011 the MV Film Society will assist the MV Museum with its Civil War exhibit: We Are Marching Along: Martha s Vineyard and the Civil War by presenting a series of films that coincide with the various themes of the museum s exhibit. HELP US KEEP OUR PROGRAMMING STRONG The success of the MV Film Society over the long term depends on the ideas, donations, and energy from all those that have enjoyed its programming. If you have suggestions or if you know of people who would like to be a member/contributor of our organization, please contact us. And please consider a financial gift of $10 or more as a way to support the continued programming, events, and equipment needs of the MV Film Society. The Martha s Vineyard Film Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Your contribution is taxdeductible to the fullest extent of the law. Contributions can me made by check payable to the MV Film Society, P.O. Box 4423, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or via Paypal (see web site home page). For further information please contact Richard Paradise at 774-392-2972 or one of the society s Board of Directors:
Richard Berkley Anne Evasick Phyllis Kugler Kate Feiffer Brenda Horrigan Susan Kantrowitz Richard Paradise Mary Spencer Stephen Zablotny