THE PENGUIN LESSONS

Inspired by the true story of a disillusioned Englishman who went to work in a school in Argentina in 1976. Expecting an easy ride, Tom discovers a divided nation and a class of unteachable students. However, after he rescues a penguin from an oil-slicked beach, his life is turned upside-down.

Novel to Graphic Novel: The Art of Adaptation with Paul Karasik

The late Paul Auster’s New York Trilogy, is among his masterworks. Now all three tales have been adapted into graphic novels in a single volume by cartoonist and West Tisbury resident, Paul Karasik who will speak about their unique journey to publication.

The first novel of the Trilogy, City of Glass, was adapted 30 years ago with breakdowns by Karasik, and art by David Mazzucchelli. With Auster’s blessings before his untimely death, Karasik has now adapted the remaining two novels, Ghosts (illustrated by New Yorker cover artist, Lorenzo Mattotti), and The Locked Room (illustrated by Karasik).

The Guardian has dubbed the 3-in-1 New York Trilogy volume, “…a stone-cold masterpiece.”

MVEFF: EARTH PROTECTORS

Earth Protectors addresses our need to adapt as a species to the Anthropocene: the new era in which the impact of humans overwhelms natural cycles with fires, floods, pollution, super typhoons and a deadly virus. These challenges provide incontrovertible evidence for the necessity of systemic change. On Anne's expeditions creating her art installations, she meets a new generation of women and men who are working to save our planet and is inspired by their commitment and their achievements. Her narrative recounts the stories and the diversity of these young protagonists whom she calls "Earth Protectors"

MVEFF: A LIFE AMONG ELEPHANTS

“A Life Among Elephants” is a documentary that chronicles the life and work of Save the Elephants founder, Iain Douglas-Hamilton. The film follows his journey from a pioneering scientist studying African elephants in Tanzania to a passionate conservationist fighting against the ivory trade. It explores his dedication to understanding and protecting these magnificent creatures and his lifelong mission to ensure their survival.

MVEFF: WHEN WE CYCLE + CYCLING WITHOUT AGE

CYCLING WITHOUT AGE – an idea and a non-profit which started in Copenhagen in 2012 and is now present in 40 countries worldwide. This captivating film promises to take you on a journey of compassion, community, and the joy of cycling. This short film was filmed and produced by Pedal Born Pictures and will feature heartwarming stories of Cycling Without Age pilots and co-pilots.

CYCLING WITHOUT AGE – an idea and a non-profit which started in Copenhagen in 2012 and is now present in 40 countries worldwide. This captivating film promises to take you on a journey of compassion, community, and the joy of cycling. This short film was filmed and produced by Pedal Born Pictures and will feature heartwarming stories of Cycling Without Age pilots and co-pilots.

MVEFF: HOLDING BACK THE TIDE

This impressionist hybrid documentary traces the oyster through its many life cycles in New York, once the world’s oyster capital. Now their specter haunts the city through queer characters embodying ancient myth, discovering the overlooked history and biology of the bivalve that built the city. As environmentalists restore them to the harbor, Holding Back The Tide looks to the oyster as a queer icon, entangled with nature, with much to teach about our continued survival.

MVEFF: SEQUOIAS OF THE SEA & SEAWEED, A LOVE STORY

SEQUOIAS OF THE SEA tells the story of the environmental, cultural and economic destruction impacting a coastal town that has lost its coastal kelp forest. It’s a deep dive into the lives of fishermen, tribes, scientists, and a community working to restore a habitat devastated by a warming climate.

SEAWEED, A LOVE STORY follows Dr. Nicole Miller—founder of Explore Your Coast, diver, and seaweed advocate—as she undertakes an ambitious 70 km underwater survey of Wellington’s coastline. With over 800 hours spent on SCUBA, Nicole documents the beauty of local kelp forests while revealing the stark challenges they face due to overfishing, pollution, and climate change. Through photography, art, and immersive VR, the film highlights her mission to protect these vital underwater habitats—essential to life both beneath and above the waves.

MICHELANGELO: LOVE AND DEATH

The spectacular sculptures and paintings of Michelangelo seem so familiar to us, but what do we really know about this Renaissance giant? Michelangelo’s genius is evident in everything he touched. Beautiful and diverse works such as the towering statue of David, the moving Pietà in the Papal Basilica of St. Peter and his tour-de-force, the Sistine Chapel ceiling, still leave us breathless today.

Spanning his 88 years, Michelangelo: Love and Death takes a cinematic journey through the print and drawing rooms of Europe through the great chapels and museums of Florence, Rome and the Vatican to seek out a deeper understanding of this legendary figure’s tempestuous life, his relationship with his contemporaries and his incredible legacy.

Through expert commentary, stunning visuals and Michelangelo’s own words, this film takes a fresh look at a master artist whose life and genius are celebrated in every mark he made. Returning to cinemas in 2025 to celebrate the 550th anniversary of this iconic artist’s birth.

FILMING UNDER FIRE: 4 DOCS with Producer Charles Pinck

In honor of the anniversary of D-Day, producer and OSS Society President Charles Pinck will join us to present four short documentaries about the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), the legendary World War II predecessor to CIA and the US Special Operations Command, and the significant contributions it made to D-Day and America’s victory in World War II.

FRED MOLLIN: UNPLUGGED

Author Reading, Q&A and Book Signing

In 1977, at age twenty-four, Fred Mollin co-produced a record that became one of the most successful ballads in pop music history. How do you follow that? Unplugged answers that question with a journey through a musical and creative life well-lived. The adventures in Mollin’s memoirs, the disclosure of previously untold behind-the-scenes stories, and the incredible array of personalities who make these tales so rich, is a fascinating, humorous, educational, no-holds-barred, and inspiring story.

Lenny Clarke and Jimmie JJ Walker Comedy Show

Live Stand Up Comedy on the Film Center stage!

WELCOME BACK COTTERS (COMEDIAN TOM COTTER with KERRI LOUISE)

Don’t miss the MV Film Center Performance of America’s Got Talent Breakout Star Comedian Tom Cotter!

Comedian TOM COTTER has taken the comedy scene by storm since finishing as runner-up and becoming the Breakout Star from Season 7’s “America’s Got Talent.” Tom was the first comedian ever to be a finalist on the show and was the highest finishing human being on the show that year. In August 2013, AGT asked Tom back to perform as a special guest star (along with Train) and then again to host “The Season 8 AGT Snapple Viewing Party.” In January 2019 Tom was again invited back to the AGT stage – this time to perform against the best of the best “Got Talent” performers from other years and around the world in “America’s Got Talent: The Champions.” In one the most talked about sets of the entire competition, Tom received a STANDING OVATION from the adoring crowd.