Island Cineastes Start New Season

Richard Paradise was named 2009’s best regional film festival director at last month’s International Film Festival Summit in Las Vegas. In an Oscar-speech moment with the Gazette, he shared his glory with Island filmgoers: “The success of the festival, the regional coverage, the volunteership, and the exploration of other cultures ... the Vineyard audience contributes.”

Next he screens The New Year Parade, a family drama filmed amid Philadelphia’s annual Mummer’s parade, where local groups in elaborate costumes, using choreography, props and moveable scenery, compete for pride and prizes. Many of the characters are not professional actors.

The film won the Grand Jury Prize at last year’s Slamdance Film Festival. On Saturday it’s at the Katharine Cornell Theatre in Vineyard Haven at 7:30 p.m. for $8, or $5 for film society members. For more, see mvfilmsociety.com.