Married couple Floyd Rance and Stephanie Tavares-Rance are no strangers to keeping secrets. Last year, as the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival celebrated its 20th anniversary, the couple remained tight-lipped about the opening-night presenters. Only Tavares-Rance’s mother was privy to the fact that Barack and Michelle Obama were on hand to screen their Higher Ground and Netflix documentary, Descendant. This year, however, the Rances face an unexpected challenge as the SAG-AFTRA strike begins just weeks before the festival, preventing actors from promoting their projects. Despite this setback, Tavares-Rance remains focused on the festival’s mission to highlight and celebrate filmmakers of color, specifically African American filmmakers.
The festival’s programming includes panels featuring the National Museum of African American History & Culture, as well as influential figures such as Chuck D, Matthew Cherry, and Misty Copeland. Attendees will also have the opportunity to watch ESPN Films’ The Crossover: 50 Years of Hip Hop and Sports, and catch trailers or clips of Netflix’s biopic Rustin, Lionsgate’s 1992, and Warner Bros. Discovery’s The Color Purple. In addition to these screenings and conversations, the festival also hosts the Director’s Brunch, a gathering that fosters community building and allows emerging and established filmmakers to connect and exchange ideas. Tavares-Rance believes that these moments of interaction and collaboration among creatives are essential for the birth of something great in the world of art.
Director Reggie “Rock” Bythewood, a first-time attendee of the festival, shares his thoughts on the importance of DEI officers, Black festivals, and his Apple TV+ series, Swagger. Inspired by NBA star Kevin Durant’s early days as a basketball prodigy, Swagger explores important social issues through the world of sports. Bythewood shares his enthusiasm for participating in MVAAFF, describing it as a celebration of Black stories and an opportunity for Black storytellers to come together and have a significant impact beyond mere entertainment.
When asked why he selected the season two episode “Are We Free?” of Swagger to screen at the festival, Bythewood emphasizes the importance of holding up a mirror to society and addressing the challenges and cultural attacks faced by the Black community. The episode tackles the issue of mental illness, specifically in relation to prisons and detention centers. From a cinematic standpoint, the episode also showcases high-caliber basketball shooting, including a one-shot, no-cut basketball game sequence. Additionally, the episode celebrates the iconic figure of John Carlos, who raised his hand in a Black Power salute during the 1968 Summer Olympics.
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Aside from the SAG-AFTRA strike, there is also a concerning trend of prominent DEI executives at studios and the Academy stepping down from their positions without immediate replacements. Bythewood reflects on the importance of diversity initiatives in the industry, highlighting the role they played in his own career and the success of other Black creatives. He believes that if studios claim to be fully diverse and inclusive, they must support and maintain these programs. While he acknowledges concerns about the current trend, Bythewood remains optimistic and expects to see a strong outcry against the elimination of diversity initiatives.
In conclusion, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival remains committed to showcasing and celebrating the work of African American filmmakers. Despite challenges such as the SAG-AFTRA strike and the departure of DEI executives, the festival continues to provide a platform for diverse voices and stories. Through screenings, conversations, and community-building initiatives like the Director’s Brunch, the festival creates opportunities for emerging and established filmmakers to connect, collaborate, and inspire one another. With each passing year, the festival stands as a testament to the power of African American cinema and storytelling.
