vineyard-hero
Home-Slider4-K1-20180605-VSH-EmilyOBrienPhoto-294-Edit_LUXONEBEDLOCKOFF_LIVINGRM_FACINGBALCONY2
Home-Slider3-20180605-VSH-EmilyOBrienPhoto-1353-Edit_BREAKFAST_FOODDETAIL_FROMABOVE2
Home-Slider5-20180605-VSH-EmilyOBrienPhoto-934-Edit_FRONTPORCH_GUESTS2

Martha's Vineyard Film Festival

Every March on the Vineyard, the stage is set for a film frenzy as we travel to the Wild West (that would be Chilmark) for the annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival. Our cinematic celebration is a triple threat: independent movies from around the world, fresh local fare, and engaging workshops for ages 2 to 92. Before you call “lights, camera, action” on your island getaway, take our five tips to give yourself an award-winning festival experience.

 

5 Travel Tips Before Heading To The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival

Martha's Vineyard Film Festival
The 2017 Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival. Photo: Joshua Robinson-White.

1. Peek At The Lineup And Pick Your Faves

The festival’s full schedule of events may seem intimidating at a glance, but within that plethora of pictures, you’re bound to find some that are tailor-made for the film appreciator you are. From romantic comedies to animated short features to action-inspiring pieces on frontlining social issues, the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival brings it all to the island big screen.

 

After considering your choice of genres, think about which festival pass you’ll pick. You can go for a General Admission Pass or a Festival Couch Pass — choose the latter if you’d prefer to be front-and-center for Q&A with the filmmakers (or if you really like couches). Don’t forget: before you grab a pass, you’ll first need to enroll as a Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival member.

 

2. Pack Your Pens, Pads, And Thinking Caps

Whether you’re a bonafide movie buff or you’re intent on tackling more complex matters, come to the island contemplative! These artists bring an eclectic collection of experiences to learn from. In 2017, the festival began holding facilitated fireside chats after select screenings to allow festival goers and movie makers alike to dig deeper, talk about taking action, and of course — sit by the fire and get to know one another after a long day of film festivities.

 

3. If You Have Or Know Any Kids, Bring Them

Come one, come all — this festival o’ ours is for film fans big and small! Sure, some of the weekend’s flicks are fit for a more mature crowd, but don’t consider that a takeaway from the full-on family-friendliness of the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival. In fact, the weekend is filled to the brim with lessons for the littlest movie makers, including workshops on stop motion videos and the mysterious green screen.

 

Bigger kids, remember waking up to the theme songs of your favorite Saturday morning cartoons? Our festival evokes that familiar feeling on Saturday morning with imaginative animated shorts, along with other weekend screenings specifically for the young (and the young-at-heart).

 

4. Don’t Come On A Full Stomach

Yes, we’re aware that this is a film festival, but there’s a taste of food fest in there, too. You’ll get to enjoy some of the island’s best culinary delights with filmmakers and community members throughout the weekend. Past festivals have served up everything from farm-to-table meals fresh off Morning Glory Farm to baked goods from Pie Chicks — a perfect pairing with a good cup ‘o joe from Chilmark Coffee Company.

 

And of course, what’s a good movie without a big bag of buttered popcorn? With the help of Martha’s Vineyard Sea Salt, savoring the full film fest experience is a cinch (or a crunch).

 

5. Nab A Nook Fit For A Movie Star

Naturally, you’ll need somewhere to crash after all the credits roll on the final flick, and that’s where we come in. Not only will public transportation to Chilmark be right by your doorstep, but our rooms and suites will have you feeling like you should be strutting your stuff on the red carpet yourself — Hollywood has nothing on us.

A Look at the History of Our Edgartown Hotel
Celebrate the Season | A Guide to Christmas in Edgartown
Where to Get the Best Lunch in Edgartown
Go Exploring with the Best Martha’s Vineyard Tours
Treat Yourself to Fine Dining at the Top Edgartown Spots
Check Out Things to Do in Oak Bluffs on a Memorable Day Trip
Celebrate the Fourth of July with Martha’s Vineyard Events
Live like a New England Local This Spring

halloweenkidsSo there you are back in what we affectionately call “the real world”. There are errands to do, kids to transport, work and obligations to fill your every hour. A pleasant fleeting memory of summer vacation on Martha’s Vineyard may flicker through your mind only to be overpowered by whatever task is presently before you. You wish you could still be here, but nothing happens on Martha’s Vineyard after Labor Day anyway, right? Wrong! So, so wrong.

Get in the car, bus, or plane and get yourself back here for a fall weekend of delightful activity (or non-activity). Or even better, come midweek when the best Martha’s Vineyard hotel deals are available!  Anyone who lives here will tell you September and October are the best months to be on the island. For instance, the MV International Film Festival wraps up on September 12. Tivoli Day, celebrated in Oak Bluffs, takes place September 18, rain date September 19. The increasingly popular Martha’s Vineyard Food and Wine Festival is October 15 and 16. And the Striped Bass and Bluefish Derby is ongoing now through October 16. Come test your casting skills and win a prize!

Besides the special events, so many of the best summer activities live on through the fall. Some of the things you can still enjoy are the Artisan’s Festival in West Tisbury, the Speaker Series at the Aquinnah Town Hall, bird walks, Felix Neck Treks and Guided Kayak and Marine Discovery Tours, artists’ receptions at all the galleries, and the Vineyard Playhouse productions. If those don’t entice you, how about fall sales in all the stores? All the goodies you talked yourself out of in August, because they were too expensive, start taking a dive. And I’ve saved the best for last: Friday night lobster rolls continue to roll out of Grace Church in Vineyard Haven until October 1!

Oops! My phone is ringing. Must be another “fall on the Vineyard lover” calling to make a reservation. Hope to see you soon!

A Look at the History of Our Edgartown Hotel
Celebrate the Season | A Guide to Christmas in Edgartown
Where to Get the Best Lunch in Edgartown
Go Exploring with the Best Martha’s Vineyard Tours
Treat Yourself to Fine Dining at the Top Edgartown Spots
Check Out Things to Do in Oak Bluffs on a Memorable Day Trip
Celebrate the Fourth of July with Martha’s Vineyard Events
Live like a New England Local This Spring

One of the things that I love about Martha’s Vineyard in the summer is the quality and variety of activities and events from which to choose – many not normally available in such a small community.  Evening events are naturally geared more toward “grown-ups,” however (when the wee ones are in bed).  But being a mother of 4, I understand the need to entertain the WHOLE family at any given time of the day; so I have come up with a couple of suggestions for those long summer nights…

To be honest, my favorite “family night out” is not very original… but it’s always relaxing and a hit with the entire family.  My husband is strongly opposed to anything involving crowds (which eliminates a lot in July & August), so our family beach time involves a picnic dinner and an evening dip in the ocean.  Regardless of the number of folks on the beach during the day, if you wait until after 6pm, you are sure to find your own sandy spot of solitude.  We normally head to State Beach because we never have to walk far from our car (you know there’s always lots to lug w/kids), and if there are a lot of cars in one area, we can keep going until we find an unclaimed stretch of beach.  The water is warm from the day’s heat; and with the volume of fun (and fights) that ensues when my family arrives, “the crowds” are very happy that we avoided them!

Then there is the obligatory evening out in Oak Bluffs.  Oak Bluffs is always a swarm of activity in the summer (as well as a lot of fun)… so I suggest leaving the claustrophobic members of the family at home (Yes, you guessed it… hubby stays home!).   A great place to start your evening is Nancy’s on the harbor (or another favorite haunt for fast, casual waterfront fare), and then take time to meander along the harbor and across New York Ave… with ice cream in hand, of course!   Or wait to grab a cotton candy at The Flying Horses Carousel. The carousel is the nation’s oldest operating platform carousel and a National Historic Landmark.  They are open until 10pm every evening in the summer and a ride is only $1.50.   After the Flying Horses, you can continue up Circuit Ave. to the Game Room which is open until midnight.  Plenty of time to spend all of your quarters!

If you crave something different after a day at the beach, I recommend the Cinema Circus, put on by The Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival every Wednesday in July and August at the Chilmark Community Center.  The mission of the Cinema Circus is “to produce family events that engage children with films, discussion, and activities that promote media literacy and community interaction” and they’re FUN!  The doors open at 5pm with acrobats, jugglers, and face painting as well as activities and discussions around the film(s) being screened.  And then there is always the pizza and popcorn… Admission is $12 for adults and $5 for kids.

The Island Cove Mini Golf is another sure hit for a family evening out!  Located on State Rd. (across from Cronig’s grocery store), they are open until 10pm daily during the summer.   They offer an adventure themed mini golf course and a 24ft high outdoor climbing wall with three levels of difficulty to accommodate (almost) everyone in the family.  Their grill is open for lunch and dinner with relatively inexpensive, casual fare so it is a “one stop shop” for the night…  and don’t forget to leave room for the ice cream!

If your kids still crave action at the end of a busy day…  check out the Family Dance-O-Rama at Nectar’s on Tuesday nights (they are located at the airport in the old Outerlands location).  They have music from 5:30-7:30, so the younger set can boogie and blow off some steam…  hopefully winding up very tired and ready for bed!  Admission is complimentary, and food is sold there, so it’s another “one stop shop” for dinner and fun (ya gotta love it when they make it that easy!).

Do you have other evening activities that are part of you island summer traditions?  Please make a comment.  We would love to hear your ideas.

Image courtesy of owlhere.

 

A Look at the History of Our Edgartown Hotel
Celebrate the Season | A Guide to Christmas in Edgartown
Where to Get the Best Lunch in Edgartown
Go Exploring with the Best Martha’s Vineyard Tours
Treat Yourself to Fine Dining at the Top Edgartown Spots
Check Out Things to Do in Oak Bluffs on a Memorable Day Trip
Celebrate the Fourth of July with Martha’s Vineyard Events
Live like a New England Local This Spring