“Children of Blood and Bone” Opens the 24th Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival

On August 7, 2026, director Gina Prince-Bythewood and lead actress Thuso Mbedu will present an exclusive preview of Paramount Pictures’ fantasy film *Children of Blood and Bone* at the opening night of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF). The film, adapted from Tomi Adeyemi’s No. 1 bestseller, follows Zélie’s quest to restore stolen magic to her people in the fictional kingdom of Orisha. A nationwide theatrical and IMAX release is scheduled for January 15, 2027.

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The 24th annual MVAAFF runs from August 7-15 at the Martha’s Vineyard Performing Arts Center in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. As an Oscar-qualifying festival, it showcases Black storytelling across film and documentary formats. This year’s lineup includes Netflix documentaries on Clarence B. Jones and Jean-Michel Basquiat, a Roku Originals docuseries featuring WNBA pioneer Sheryl Swoopes, and independent features on Kwame Brathwaite and Romare Bearden. The opening weekend also presents the documentary *Soul Patrol* with a discussion led by Henry Louis ‘Skip’ Gates, Jr. and former Secretary John Kerry. ESPN 30 for 30 serves as presenting sponsor, with The Cut of New York Magazine as official media partner.

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• Gina Prince-Bythewood – Director of *Children of Blood and Bone*

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• Thuso Mbedu – Actress portraying Zélie

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• Floyd Rance and Stephanie Rance – Founders of MVAAFF

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• Brian M. Lockhart – Head of ESPN Storytelling Studio

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Festival founders emphasized MVAAFF’s long-standing role in introducing groundbreaking Black narratives to receptive audiences, describing the *Children of Blood and Bone* preview as an “extraordinary moment” for the community. ESPN’s Lockhart highlighted the partnership’s alignment with the festival’s mission to amplify distinctive filmmaking voices that are “needed more than ever.”

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• “For twenty-four years, MVAAFF has been a place where groundbreaking stories are introduced to an audience that truly understands their cultural significance,” — Floyd Rance, Founder, MVAAFF

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• “To open this festival with ‘Children of Blood and Bone’ — a film rooted in imagination, heritage, and Black excellence — and to have Gina and Thuso with us at the festival is an extraordinary moment for our community.” — Stephanie Rance, Founder, MVAAFF

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• “ESPN 30 for 30 is proud to continue sponsoring the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival,” — Brian M. Lockhart, ESPN Storytelling Studio

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• “The MVAAFF shares our mission of supporting unique filmmaking voices that need to be heard more than ever, and it remains one of the most inspiring sources of storytelling anywhere.” — Brian M. Lockhart, ESPN Storytelling Studio

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