Local Producers Awarded at the Caribbean Tales Film Festival

The Trinidad & Tobago Film Company was the proud sponsor of airfare for three T&T nationals to attend the 4th Annual Caribbean Tales Film Festival (CTFF) in Toronto, Canada. Assistance was given to Christopher Laird, co-founder and Managing Director of Gayelle The Channel, Camille Selvon Abrahams, Creative Director of Full Circle Animation Studio, founder of the Animae Caribe Animation and New Media Festival and lesser known but very promising film maker and second year student in UWI’s BA Film Program, Mr. Andre Johnson. The festival which ran from July 9th to 12th was founded by T&T national Frances Ann Solomon who is a celebrated film maker in her own right.

Mr. Laird whose experience spans over 30 years with more than 500 television productions under his belt was honoured at the 2009 festival with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Camille’s pioneering work in creating the Animae Caribe and the Caribbean’s first animation studio earned her the 2009 Award for Innovation. Film maker and BA Film student Andre Johnson was over the moon about having been afforded the opportunity to experience his first Film Festival with the assistance of the TTFC.

Mr. Johnson’s film the “Caged Bird” described as a cautionary tale highlighting the ugliness of drug addiction was screened at the festival. When asked about his experience he noted, “It made me feel like coming back home and creating”. He added, “I was so motivated because the festival honoured and rewarded me. All film makers should have this experience because we often work out of pure love without direction”. Andre claims that his new found inspiration will be reflected in the quality of his work going forward.
Reflecting on his award Christopher noted, “Critical Appreciation of one’s work is hard to come by in our society. It is really great to be recognized in this fashion by one’s peers and by the next generation which is such a passionate and optimistic cadre of practitioners which will take the industry further”.
Moved by her award, Camille commented, “I think these awards reflect the importance of recognising peoples’ achievement and also making a statement to government that we have a pool of dedicated people who are willing to invest in their art for the sake of creating an industry. This is the only way we can do it. I know of many talented people who have left these shores because of the challenge involved in setting up this industry. However on the flipside I have seen many talented people stay and build, sacrifice and share. It is because of this that we will become known as a country at the forefront in animation film and new media”.

Undoubtedly the highlight of the festival for all attendees was meeting Euzhan Palcy, director of the critically acclaimed film “A Dry White Season” and one of the most celebrated and accomplished black filmmakers working today. Ironically, Andre recently wrote his second year final exam paper on Ms. Palcy but never dreamed that he would ever meet her in the flesh.

July 10th was “Trinidad Night” at the festival which featured other local film makers including past awardees of the TTFC’s Production and Script Development Programme (PASD). Films screened included “The Sadhu of Couva” produced by Yao Ramesar, Don’t Stop” by Lisa Wickham, “All of Emily” by Elspeth Duncan, “Insatiable Season” by Mariel Brown and Horace Wilson’s “Happy Sad”.