‘The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat’ to Premiere at Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival

As a devoted cinephile with a deep appreciation for stories that resonate and inspire, I am beyond thrilled to share my excitement about this year’s Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF). This annual event, which runs from August 2-10, is an Oscar-qualifying film festival that never fails to showcase a diverse lineup of films, documentaries, panel discussions, and exclusive events that amplify Black voices and culture.


I’m excited to share that you can’t rush love, but you certainly don’t want to miss out on experiencing the world premiere of “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can Eat” firsthand. This intriguing movie by Searchlight Pictures, featuring the remarkable talents of Uzo Aduba, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Sanaa Lathan, will make its debut on August 7th as the Centrepiece selection for the 22nd Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival. So, mark your calendars and join me in being a part of this unforgettable cinematic moment.

The MVAAFF, a film festival that can qualify for an Oscar in the short film category, was founded in 2002 by Floyd and Stephanie Rance, who are principals at Run & Shoot Filmworks. It takes place from August 2nd to 10th and showcases a varied program of films, documentaries, interactive panels, and unique events. The primary focus is on enhancing representation and storytelling within the Black community. One of the highlights includes the special screening of “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can Eat,” which will be followed by the popular “Color of Conversation” discussion. This talk will include participation from Aduba, Ellis-Taylor, Lathan, Mekhi Phifer, and director Tina Mabry, with journalist Cori Murray leading the moderation.

As a devoted cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve come across an upcoming film adaptation of Edward Kelsey Moore’s beloved 2013 novel, “The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat.” In this heartwarming story, we follow the lives of three best friends – Odette (Ellis-Taylor), Barbara Jean (Lathan), and Clarice (Aduba) – who I refer to as “The Supremes.” For decades, these women have weathered life’s ups and downs together, forming unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

In August 7th, at this year’s MVAAFF, there will be a conversation with Cynthia Erivo, renowned actress from “Wicked” and an Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner. This session, titled “Color of Conversation,” will delve into her impressive career journey. We’ll discuss her notable performances in films like “Harriet,” which earned her Academy Award nominations, and her role in Broadway’s “The Color Purple.” Ultimately, we’ll explore how these experiences led her to star as Elphaba in the blockbuster movie adaptation of “Wicked” by Universal Pictures.

Starting August 5th, Netflix will showcase the Sundance-winning documentary “Daughters,” which explores a unique dance program where young girls join their imprisoned fathers for a special performance. Following the screening, there will be an engaging conversation with the film’s directors Angela Patton and Natalie Rae, as well as fatherhood coach Chad Morris.

On August 6th, Motion Entertainment and A&E will air the documentary “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: Two Sides of Dirtiness,” which showcases the life of the Grammy-nominated musician and Wu-Tang Clan co-founder ODB. Afterward, there will be a discussion led by the Pollard father-son directing duo.

On August 9th, Warner Brothers Television will debut the new MGM+ series “Emperor of Ocean Park” at an event, which will be led by showrunner and executive producer Sherman Payne as well as stars Grantham Coleman and Tiffany Mack for a Q&A session. Subsequently, The Recording Academy will screen the documentary titled “Luther: Never Too Much,” chronicling the life of renowned R&B artist Luther Vandross. Following the screening, filmmaker Dawn Porter will engage in a discussion about her work on the documentary.

As a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in the media industry, I’m thrilled to share some exciting events taking place during the upcoming week. Based on my personal experience as a woman of color working in this field, I can attest to the importance of these initiatives in fostering connection, empowerment, and representation.

During the film festival, extra sessions and debates will be included and adjusted. All of these activities are planned to happen at Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center (MVPAC). For further details about the MVAAFF and a full schedule, please refer to their website: http://www.mvaaff.com.

Read More

2024-07-17 00:35