bajan brownstone productions, llc

 

Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival Draws Record Attendance
Posted on PressBooth.org, formerly PressBooth, (Archives at PRESS.XTVWorld.Com) Post archive
Posted on Thursday, September 02, 2004 @ 10:29:58 EDT by Editorial Team

Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival A Smashing Success

New York, NY (PRWEB) September 2, 2004 -- In marking its second annual event, the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival completed another successful program on the popular Massachusetts vacation island. Growing exponentially, the 2004 festival attracted attendees from locations as far away as Europe, Los Angeles and New Orleans.

"The turnout was phenomenal, the films were exceptional and everyone's energy was very positive," said festival organizers Floyd and Stephanie Rance. "We are looking for an even better festival next year."

Highlighting this year's festival were films by Vondie Curtis Hall, director of "Redemption" and "Dense" by Soul Food actress Vanessa William. "Redemption" is the story of former Los Angeles gang leader turned peacemaker Tookie Williams starring Jamie Foxx and Lynn Whitfield. It originally screened on Fox's cable network, FX. "Dense", a Showtime original film is the directorial debut of Williams and details the frustrations of a female artist caught in a love triangle.

Following their screenings, both Hall and Williams graciously spoke for more than an hour to overflow audiences that presented them with very insightful and thought-provoking questions. Williams also stayed to sign copies of her book of poems, "Shine."

Additionally, several emerging independent filmmakers' screened their projects including "Familiar Fruit" by New York University graduate student Alrick Brown, "Red Eye" by Kevin Gordon, "Shook" by Melanie RW Oram and "Positive Attitude" by Deborah Marcano.

Also, two out-of-competition films and festival circuit veterans proved to be audience favorites. "Move" directed by the team of Jacqueline March and Jacqueline McKinley along with "Love in Harlem" directed by Julius I. Key screened before very enthusiastic audiences.

The winner of the Kodak Short Film Competition was "Shooter," produced by J.J. Goldberger and directed by Todd Jeffrey. Other notable films in the competition were "Allergic to Nuts" directed by Rosalyn Coleman Williams and "Sunday Morning Stripper,” written by Lionel Hilliard and directed by Sheldon Collins.

The festival also inaugurated a screenplay competition won by Rene Rawls with her entry of "Get to the Back of the Line."

The two most notable documentary films were "Sideman" and "The Village". "Sideman" directed by Fre'de'ric Baillif who traveled from Switzerland for the American debut of his documentary which chronicles the journey of aspiring jazz musician, Gregoire Maret. "The Village" directed by New Orleans native, Matthew Broussard, details a two-week protests by Penn State's Black Student Caucus.

The organizers are already making preparations for what they anticipate will be an even bigger festival next year. For more information or to submit a film and or screenplay, please visit www.mvaaff04.com.

Next year's festival is slated for August 11-14, 2005.

Timothy Yates
MARTHA'S VINEYARD AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL
http://www.mvaaff04.com
917-684-7753