WAITING TO CONTINUE: THE VENEZUELAN ASYLUM SEEKERS ON MARTHA’S VINEYARD

Dirs. Ollie Becker, Tom Ellis, and Tim Persinko | Documentary | U.S.A. | 2023 | 20 min. | English and Spanish with English subtitles

Given false promises of work and housing, 48 Venezuelan migrants were flown from San Antonio, Texas, to Martha’s Vineyard last September. This film documents their three-day experience on the Island, before they were transported to Joint Base Cape Cod for further assistance by state and federal agencies. Featuring interviews with the Venezuelans, and with Vineyard residents who supported them, this is a captivating local retelling of the manufactured crisis.

Circuit Films and the community of Martha’s Vineyard are continuing to work with our Venezuelan friends to make sure they get the resources they need and that their story is told. Like with many documentaries in process, the story is still unfolding and we are working diligently to tell it truthfully and respectfully and to ensure the voices of the individuals most affected by this event are heard.

The most recent cut of the film was featured at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Festival in March of 2023. The film team additionally won the Outstanding Massachusetts Filmmaker award at the 2023 Arlington International Film Festival in November of 2023.