Tony Award winning actress Phylicia Rashad and acclaimed actor Delroy Lindo confirmed to participate in 5th annual MARTHA’S VINEYARD AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL, AUGUST 8-11

Event created to celebrate African American cinema and support the artistic development of independent filmmakers around the world
More than 1,000 convene for screenings, workshops and celebration of Black film

New York, NY (July 26, 2007)— Mark your calendars, the Run & Shoot Filmworks Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival (MVAAFF) is about to start! Throughout this four-day event, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in workshops, panel discussions and screenings that take place in Vineyard Haven and Oak Bluffs, MA. Now in its fifth year, the MVAAFF continues to be a channel for up-and-coming and established independent filmmakers to showcase their films, network with their peers and industry executives. Film buffs and film industry talent from across the world, including more than 1,000 New York Tri-state and Massachusetts residents are expected to attend this year’s event.

The Festival is proud to host Tony Award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad and actor Delroy Lindo. Ms Rashad will be on hand to showcase her film The Old Settler and participate in a Q &A discussion about the project and her success in television and Broadway. Accomplished actor Delroy Lindo whose resume includes Malcolm X, Wondrous Oblivion and The Cider House Rules has signed on to participate in the “My Philosophy” panel discussion and give his perspective about African Americans in the film industry.

MVAAFF is pleased to announce the finalists for this year’s competition.

For best short, the finalists are:
--Baba King, Ryan Jackson
--Bird Losing Feathers, James Richards
--Hit Me, Steven Minor
--Vile, J. David Shanks
--Ties that Bind, Angela Gibbs (Marla Gibbs daughter)

For best feature, the finalists are:
--The Inevitable Undoing of Jay Brooks, Jennifer Sharp
--The Third Summer, Norris Young
--ALGENY, Andrew Burroughs
--Just The Two of Us, Keenon Nikita
--August the First, Lanre Olabisi

For best documentary, the finalists are:
--Darfur-Too Dark Too Far, Hafiz Farid
--Enough is Enough- Billy Jackson
--Lest We Forget-The Black Holocaust, Adam Starr/J.Justin Ragsdale
--Death of Two Sons, Micah Schaffer
--Hard Road Home, Macky Alston

The winners of the competition will be announced at the HBO Short Film Competition on Saturday, August 11th.

Registration is still open and can be completed online at the official web site www.mvaaff.com or call 877-682-2334. Please visit the site for event highlights including details about the panel discussions, workshops, films, parties, wine tasting and Black art expo.

All events take place at Mansion House unless otherwise noted. Sponsors for this year’s festival include HBO (awards), Bombay Sapphire, Heritage Link Brands, American Legacy, WBLS (107.5), IndieTalk.com, Edgartown National Bank, ARRI/CSC, and Indietalk.com.

About HBO
Home Box Office, Inc. is the premium television programming subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., providing two 24-hour premium television services, HBO and Cinemax. Together, both networks reach approximately 40 million subscribers in the United States via cable and satellite delivery. Home Box Office's international joint ventures bring HBO branded services to more than 50 countries around the globe.

About Run & Shoot Filmworks, Inc.
Run & Shoot Filmworks, Inc., is a New York-based film production company credited with creating outstanding visual work for several clients including HBO, Martell Cognac, Reebok, NBC Sports and Footlocker. For the past three years, Run & Shoot Filmworks has produced the MVAAFF with the primary goal of providing a positive environment where filmmakers can share their thoughts, ideas and aspirations. The film festival serves as a vehicle through which Run & Shoot Filmworks can support the efforts of emerging and established African-American screenwriters, as well as aid in their artistic development. For more information visit the official Web site at www.mvaaff.com.