History/Mission of Society

Established in February 2002 by Richard Paradise, 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 diverse audiences of all ages throughout the calendar year. In 2010, the society presented over 80 films, to over 12,000 patrons at various screening venues around the island.

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, the Film Society established the Martha's Vineyard International Film Festival, a
4 days/nights festival of world film and events. More than 2500 people attended last year's festival, 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 nine years, we've screened over 600 feature films, 100s of short films, and some of the most critically acclaimed movies of this period and the past at the historic Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven, Capawock Theatre, Vineyard Playhouse, Featherstone Center for the Arts, the Grange Hall in West Tisbury, FARM Institute, the
Ag Hall, and Tabernacle in Oak Bluffs (just a sampling of those movies):

• 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 and State of Massachusetts. 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.

Film Society is cooperating with the MVRHS Art Department and local filmmakers to create a video/film club for 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.

Membership at all levels enjoy discounts to regular screening, film festival, 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 year-round 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.

DOWNLOAD OUR ANNUAL REPORT

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Board of Directors

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

The current Board consists of:

Richard Paradise
Anne Evasick
Richard Berkley
Mary Spencer
Brenda Horrigan
Susan Kantrowitz
Kate Feiffer
Stephen Zablotny
Phyllis Kugler

Legal Counsel - Doug Sederholm

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 Film Society screens special film offerings at the historic Capawock Theatre from time to time during the year. This year we've presented several screenings of locally produced MOW CREW to sell-out crowds at the Capawock. The Capawock is also used each year for the MV International Film Festival. Built in 1913, the Capawock is the oldest continually operated movie theatre in the state of Massachusetts. It is located prominently on Main Street in the center of the village of Vineyard Haven.



The MV Film 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).



Union Chapel, established 1870 (located at 55 Narragansett Avenue, Oak Bluffs). Built as a non-sectarian place of worship in 1870, Union Chapel's unique octagonal design rises into a soaring open cupola with amber diamond-pane glass windows casting a warm and beautiful light. Historically known for its excellent acoustics, Union Chapel has long been a favorite venue for concerts, recitals, political meetings, speakers and wedding ceremonies. The Trust acquired the Chapel from the Oak Bluffs Christian Union in 2002.


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):

2010
October - ABC News/Travel/Martha's Vineyard
September - MV Times - MV International Film Festival
September - Cape Cod Times Blog
July - Vineyard Gazette - Tabernacle Film Series
January - Vineyard Gazette

2009
September - MV Times
September - Cape Cod Times
September - MV Times
September - Cape Cod Times
July - Vineyard Gazette
July - MV Times
January - MV Times Article

2008
September - MV Times
September - Vineyard Gazette
September - Vineyard Gazette

2007
September - Vineyard Gazette
September - Vineyard Gazette
August - MV Times
June - MV Times
March - MV Times

2006
October - MV Times
September - Vineyard Gazette
September - MV Times
July - MV Times
April - MV Times

2005
June 2005 - MV Times Article
July 2005 - MV Times Article
January 2005 - MV Times Article
April 2004 - Vineyard Gazette


HOUSE OF BONES movie premiere at the Tabernacle - August 2009


Over 1000 in attendance at the Tabernacle for HOUSE OF BONES



Mow Crew Movie Premiere Sell-out at Capawock Theatre - May 2009



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.