The opening night of the week-long Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival included a powerful film screening - and a surprise visit from Barack and Michelle Obama.
Barack and Michelle Obama were on stage for a surprise appearance at the Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival to discuss Descendant, the festival's opening night film, which the former first couple helped produce.
In the 20 years since it began, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival has grown into an August institution, regularly filling the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center.
After pivoting online last summer, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival is scheduled to return to the Island August 6 through August 14, along with online events in February and March.
At the Performing Arts Center Thursday, all seats were filled with more standing and sitting in the aisles for a conversation about Just Mercy, with Bryan Stevenson and Michael B. Jordan.
After screening of Maynard at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, Maynard “Buzz” Jackson 3rd and his wife, Wendy Eley Jackson spoke on a panel with Vernon Jordan and current Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Featured speakers at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, running from August 6 to 11, are Spike Lee and Barry Jenkins, screenwriter and director of Academy Award winning film, Moonlight.
This year’s Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, August 7 to 12, is bringing heavy hitters including Kathryn Bigelow and Spike Lee to the performing arts center.
