Before one of the screenings at the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival, director Richard Paradise welcomed the audience.

“I hope it continues raining,” he said. “I love the rain during the film festival.”

And his wish came true. Dreary days continued throughout the weekend, with sunshine interrupting the festivities for only a moment on Saturday morning.

Now in its 10th year, the festival featured 20 films from all over the world over the course of four days, and two sold out pre-festival screenings. With about six programs a day, ranging from documentaries to comedies to dramas and short films, there was no shortage of choices. Lines formed early for sold out shows, and festival passes dangling from lanyards were the fashion accessory of the weekend (along with galoshes and raincoats).

Screens at the Film Center and Capawock Theatre were working overtime. — Mark Alan Lovewell

After sampling samosas under a white tent on Thursday, about 170 people walked into the Marilyn Meyerhoff Theatre, housed in the Film Center, for the official opening film, Meet the Patels. The comedic documentary blended animation with video footage shot on a family vacation to create an honest and touching look at cultural relations and the instinct to not disappoint one’s parents. It followed the story of Ravi Patel as he navigated the marital waters of his homeland in India after breaking up with his secret American girlfriend.

The movie ended to thunderous applause, and Ravi’s father, Visant Patel, answered questions by Skype from the audience after the film. Mr. Patel, stationed in Chicago for the documentary’s premier, navigated questions regarding race and homosexuality in India with grace, and disclosed to an eager audience what happened after the documentary ended.

“Thank you for watching,” he said, waving goodbye from the big screen.

In the Israeli comedy-drama, Zero Motivation, women conscripted into the Israeli army find themselves wielding staple guns and fighting a battle of boredom in the administration office of a small combat base in the desert, rather than on the combat field like their male contemporaries. The film provided a look into the Israeli Defense Force through the eyes of young adults dealing more with angst than war.

Films were also screened at the newly renovated Capawock Theatre. Vanishing Sail played there on Friday night to a sold out audience. The film followed the journey of boat builder Alywn Enoe while he created his last wooden sloop in Carriacou, and island in the Caribbean Sea near Grenada. Director Alexis Andrews has a long background in photography and the film featured beautiful cinematography.

“Beautiful lines,” whispered an audience member when the first shot of the completed boat crossed the screen.

Mr. Andrews answered questions after the film, not disclosing the amount the boat sold for, but saying that the current owner is considering selling it. The film about a small community intrinsically tied to the sea resonated deeply with the Vineyard audience.

On Saturday, there were two short film competitions. Guida won best animation short, voted by the audience, for the story of an archivist who sees an advertisement for life drawing lessons in a newspaper. Grounded, a sci-fi short about a stranded astronaut, won the juried live action competition.

The Norwegian film, Blind, took almost two years to make it into the festival’s lineup. A Sundance standout, it follows a woman who recently lost her sight, but retains a vivid imagination as she creates characters that mirror and intertwine with her actual life. The film builds suspense as the line between reality and imagination is blurred leaving a sense of unease.

The family-friendly film, I am Eleven, a documentary by Australian director Genevieve Bailey, screened on the last day of the festival. The film was free for all 11-year-olds, and gave voice to their contemporaries around the world, from U.K.’s Billy Chandler who loved Dirty Dancing (one and two), to Goh from Thailand, who knew exactly where to sit on an elephant to keep from sliding. On the screen, 11-year-olds from around the world candidly answered questions about love, war, racism, the environment and the future, while also showing off their homes and talents.

Mr. Paradise said the festival sold 2,921 tickets over the course of the weekend, with eight complete sell outs, and many more shows close to selling out.

“It was a very successful festival,” he said.

As the festival ended on Sunday it was still raining — perfect movie weather — but on Monday, perhaps directed by Mr. Paradise, the sun returned as if to say, well done, now time to get back outdoors.