Community Corner

Tonight is Last Night of the Season for Martha's Vineyard Film Festival and Cinema Circus

As the season comes to a close, event producers reflect on a great summer and make plans for what's to come

This evening, the folks at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival will host the last event of the summer season. With additions to Cinema Circus like Rory the Lion, Ellie the Elephant and Professor Projector, it has been quite a summer of fun and films. Thomas Bena, Executive/Creative Director of The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival, who took on the additional role of Rory the Lion this summer said, “Being the lion is one of the best parts of my job--it's so amazing to interact with children like that.”

Lindsey Scott, Director of Children's Programs for The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival said she was thrilled with the season. “All summer we had great crowds, wonderful participation from the audience and very happy children,” said Scott. “Watching young children muster the confidence to command the elephant, sing along with the crowd, dance and play during the circus was delightful and very affirming that what we are doing for this community is being well received. In the theater, witnessing kids confront so many different cultures, languages, animation styles, and filmmaking techniques is also affirming that children can handle and deserve access to high quality film material just as much as adults do."

Cinema Circus was not the only success of the season. The summer film series also brought in a diverse selection of films to packed houses both at the original location at the Chilmark Community Center and also at the Harbor View Hotel. Brian Ditchfield, Managing Director, The Martha's Vineyard Film Festival summed it up when he said, "We reached more people with more movies in more towns than ever before. This summer was a huge success."

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The final feature of the summer film series is -a Québécois comedy inspired by the true story of the legendary bull by the same name who fathered over 500 offspring through artificial insemination. In the film David, a middle-aged man who hasn’t grown up, learns that he’s fathered no fewer than 533 children via his one and only talent: donating sperm. What is initially a slapstick comedy seamlessly transitions into dramatic territory when David begins interacting with his extremely diverse children. His newfound paternal status ultimately allows him to find himself, rebuild his life, and discover true happiness.

Those of us who are lucky to be here for the rest of the year have much to look forward to from the MVFF folks. There are planned Cinema Circus “pop up” shows at Island events through the holiday season and free member screenings of many summer titles and some new gems as well.

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