The Ultimate Guide to What to Watch at the 2026 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
If you’re looking for your next favorite Black film, the Martha’s Vineyard African-American Film Festival (MVAAFF) is once again bringing the heat! This year’s lineup is serving up everything from powerful documentaries and inspiring true stories to emotional dramas that will have audiences talking long after the credits roll.
With stories spotlighting Black history, resilience, love, and ambition, MVAAFF 2026 is the place to discover the films (and a few TV shows) everyone will be buzzing about. So, keep reading to see which movies we’re adding to our must-watch list.
“The Untouchables”
The Untouchables” centers around Coach Derrick Hoff, the fencing coach at St. Benedict’s—an inner-city school in Newark, NJ that serves a predominantly working-poor, Black and brown population. As his team chases a state championship, Hoff helps his fencers overcome racism, economic barriers, and the challenges of life beyond the strip.
“Jean-Michel Basquiat”
Led by his sisters Lisane and Jeanine, this documentary takes a look at the lesser-known aspects of the life, art, and legacy of Jean-Michel Basquiat. The film features never-before-seen works and insights from his family and loved ones, giving the audience a more intimate look at the man behind the timeless art.
“Soul Patrol”
From deep behind enemy lines, a hidden chapter of American military history is uncovered in “Soul Patrol,” forcing viewers to question whether reckoning with the past can bring peace to those who lived it. The Vietnam War’s first Black special operations team reunites to tell their story.
“Black is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story”
Through the lens of Harlem photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite’s 500,000 images, this documentary reveals the story of the man who popularized “Black is Beautiful” and devoted his 60-year career to celebrating the joy and beauty of African American life.
“Lanterns”
“Lanterns,” starring Aaron Pierre, follows Green Lantern legend Hal Jordan and fresh recruit John Stewart (Pierre), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery.
“Girl Dad”
Starring Marsai Martin and Courtney B. Vance, “Girl Dad” centers around a Brooklyn teen who spends the summer with her estranged father in Los Angeles, forcing them to confront their fractured relationship. Their search for a refrigerator becomes an unexpected journey toward healing and reconciliation.
“Boo-Yah! A Portrait of Stuart Scott”
Stuart Scott broke barriers as a pioneering Black sports anchor who brought hip-hop culture to mainstream TV, inspiring millions before and during his courageous battle with cancer. “Boo-Yah! A Portrait of Stuart Scott” tells his story.
“Montmartre”
Starring Jesse Williams and Ito Aghayere, this film follows Jo, a woman burned out by her unfulfilling life. To remedy it, she travels to Paris’ Montmartre district, where a charming tour guide rekindles her love of history, art, and herself.
“The Color of Cola”
Based on Stephanie Capparell’s 2008 book “The Real Pepsi Challenge,” “The Color of Cola” follows Ed Boyd and the first all-Black Pepsi sales team as they transformed Black representation in advertising. Their groundbreaking success in the Jim Crow South broke corporate barriers but ultimately came at a cost.
“They Fight”
Starring André Holland and Wendell Pierce, “They Fight” tells the story of a reformed ex-con who must face the boxing gym he left behind when he returns home seeking redemption. There, he reconnects with his old mentor and three young fighters searching for a way out. He soon discovers his greatest battle isn’t in the ring.
“Limitless: The Chester Pierce Story”
This insightful documentary spotlights the unsung legacy of trailblazing psychiatrist Dr. Chester Pierce: the man who coined the term “microaggression” and challenged racism in both sports and academia, becoming a shining example of Black excellence and resilience.
“W.E.B. Du Bois: Rebel With A Cause”
Directed by Rita Coburn, “W.E.B. Dubois: Rebel With a Cause” takes a look at the iconic visionary scholar, activist, and global thinker whose words and work reshaped the struggle for racial justice and continue to challenge America to confront its unfinished promise.
“The Lorraine”
Directed by Sam Pollard, “The Lorraine” tells the story of the legendary Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee—site of the assassination of Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., and its remarkable owners, Walter and Loree Bailey.
