The 25th Annual Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival is March 26-30.
Fifteen films plus two compilations of shorts are being shown over five days, primarily at two venues: Capawock Theater, 43 Main St., Vineyard Haven and the Grange Hall, 1067 State Road in West Tisbury. The 112-year-old Capawock has 220 seats; the Grange Hall seats 78.
Film festival organizers are still serving up curry as they did in the festival’s early days. These days the curry is cooked by festival chef Nina Levin, owner of Stoney Hill Pizza. She is serving several meals at The Grange, including curries on March 27 at $24 for chicken or $22 for chickpea.
Across the street from the Capowock Theater is the S&S Kitchenette, where chef/owner Spring Sheldon is serving up a menu of meals and snacks.
A handful of celebrities will be at the film festival, and at least two will take part in post-movie discussions. Here are the people expected to attend.
Right Hon. Dame Jacinda Ardern, former prime minister of New Zealand
Ardern will attend the one-night screening of “Prime Minister” — which chronicles her time as prime minister – shown March 28 at 7:30 p.m. It is the only film festival event being held at the 750-seat performing arts center at Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, 100 Edgartown Vineyard Haven Road in Oak Bluffs.
Ardern will participate in a discussion after the screening, alongside the documentary’s directors, Lindsay Utz and Michelle Walshe, moderated by filmmaker Dawn Porter.
“Ardern’s tenure was marked by decisive action on issues such as abortion rights, paid parental leave, and climate policy. She became a global symbol of empathetic and inclusive leadership, redefining modern governance. This exclusive festival event offers a rare opportunity to hear from Jacinda Ardern firsthand about her experiences and the impact of her leadership on the world stage,” according to publicity for the event.
Carol Alt, a supermodel known as “The Face” in the 1980s
Alt will attend a screening of “Beyond the Gaze: Jule Campbell’s Swimsuit Issue.”
Alt, along with the documentary’s director, Jill Campbell, will talk about how the “Sports Illustrated” swimsuit issue by the now 95-year-old Jule Campbell, created an empire with a “shifting lens on beauty, from objectification to empowerment.”
Kenneth Cole, iconic fashion designer and philanthropist
Cole will be at “A Man With Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole,” a documentary about how Cole has put “cause before commerce” during his long career. He will appear with movie director Dori Berinstein.
Giuliano Hazan, only son and kitchen heir apparent to the “Godmother of Italian cooking”
Hazan will attend a screening of “Marcella,” a documentary about his mother, Marcella Hazan.
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