History/Mission of Society

Established in February 2002, the Martha's Vineyard Film Society, Inc. 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 a diverse audience of all ages. Although offering an enriched film program is the primary reason we exist, the Society also presents film-related speakers, educational programs and special events to enhance this main mission and increase the public's appreciation of fine cinema in all its forms.

In 2006, Mr. Paradise and Nevette Previd, as co-directors, established the Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival, a 4 day/night festival of world film and events. More than 2300 people attended last year, bringing together film lovers, artists, writers, and those who make movies. This has become a much anticipated Island event each September (click here for more details).

In the past year alone, we've screened more than 62 features, many short films, and some of the most critically acclaimed films of this period at the historic Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven and Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs:

• Ajunarjuat (aka The Fast Runner)
• The Fog of War (Documentary)
• River & Tides (Documentary)
• The Weathered Underground (Documentary)
• Osama (Afghan)
• City of God (Brazil)
• Nowhere in Africa (Germany)
  
• Together (Sweden)
• Marooned in Iraq (Iran)
• The Taste of Others (France)
• Endurance (Documentary)
• Amores Perros (Mexico)
• My Architect (Documentary)
• Capturing the Friedmans (USA)
• Man Without A Past (Finland)
• Motorcycle Diaries (Argentina)
• Bad Education (Spain)
• The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill
• Paradise Now
• Occupation Dreamland
• Street Fight
• The Syrian Bride
  

The Future and Now

The Martha's Vineyard Film Society has full tax exemption as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the IRS. Your donation or membership fees are fully tax exempt. So please consider giving to support our year around programming. Membership fund raising activities are being planned to ensure the continued and expanded operation of the Society's programs.

Members at all levels enjoy discounts to regular screening, film series, seminars, and special events. Higher membership levels include private donor screenings, priority ticket purchase opportunities, advance notice for special events, and other benefits (see membership levels).

Become a member of the Film Society, the island's only nonprofit arts organization dedicated to film.

Volunteer to help out with an event or film series. Get involved with a community of island film-lovers. Whether you volunteer for one hour or many, we appreciate your help.

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Production Team

Our all volunteer Board of Directors is led by Richard Paradise and supported by a committed group of individuals. Programming is developed with the counsel of a Film Advisory Committee and recommendations from society members and patrons.
The current Board consist of:

Richard Paradise, Chairperson
Alex Palmer, Clerk
Joanne Horgan
Nevette Previd
Cecily Greenaway
Ann Evasick
Linsey Lee
Sandra Kingston
Mary Spencer
Nina R. Meyer
Brenda Horrigan

If you have an unique talent for the arts or experience in the film community, we would welcome your participation.

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Theatre Locations/Direction/Parking Information:


The MV Society screens films year-round at the historic Katharine Cornell Theatre on Spring Street, Vineyard Haven (one block up from Main Street). Built in the 1800's, it was restored in 1970 with a generous donation from the Peter Cornell Trust. The theatre seats 125, employs two 16mm or digital projection. Parking is available on the streets surrounding the theatre and/or at the Tisbury Grade School (located 3 blocks away on Upper Spring Street).



The Movie Museum program screens its films at the historic Grange Hall, State Road, West Tisbury (just past the town hall). The Building/Theatre on the second floor was built in 1859, and restored by the MV Preservation Trust in 1998 (which owns the building). The theatre seats 120, employs two 16mm film or digital projection. Parking is available on site.





The Film Series at the historic Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs is located within the MV Camp Meeting Grounds (Cottage City). There are several access points from Circuit Avenue downtown, and from Duke Country Road. Parking is on the streets around the camp ground and downtown Oak Bluffs. Please be sensitive to the many residents who live in the camp ground upon leaving the Tabernacle late in the evening. The Tabernacle seats close to 1000 when full.

The Outdoor Film program screens at the Featherstone Center for the Arts, Barnes Road, in Oak Bluffs. At the Center's sign post on Barnes Road (about 1 mile down on the right hand side going towards Oak Bluffs from the 4-way stop) drive up the hill to our admissions table. Please bring beach chairs or blankets, and snacks for a fun evening outdoors under the stars (weather permitting). Parking is available on site.


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Press clippings/photos (click the article to open):

June 2005 - MV Times Article
January 2005 - MV Times Article
July 17th, 2003 - MV Times Article
July 2002 - MV Times Article





A special thanks to Rick Bausman of Island
Drum Workshops for making our presentation
of "Touch The Sound" a unique experience. More
than 20 audience members performed a Congo
Drum Beat before the screening after
participating in a workshop conducted by Rick.
Bravo!

A sold-out crowd at the Katharine Cornell Theatre enjoyed the film "Real Women Have Curves" and raised money for Women Empowered, an island non-profit.