The CaribbeanTales Scholarship Fund was launched at a press conference in Toronto (Canada) last week, and the new fund will allow filmmakers from the region and the Caribbean Diaspora to attend the CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution’s Toronto Film Showcase and Market Access Program this September (2011). Importantly also, scholarship winners will have access to the highly effective Market Access incubator Program, which teaches skills in the all-important packaging and marketing of films.
According to Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO of CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribition, “The Fund supports the development of a vibrant world-class Caribbean film industry, by assisting filmmakers to create dynamic, distinctive and commercially viable films that will stand tall in the international marketplace.” She added that early donor commitments to the fund had been “extremely encouraging”, and that she had received interest from filmmakers in Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Martinique and the United States. Solomon also thanked Camilio Antonio, Carl Thorpe, Charlotte Rose, Fil Fraser, Jean Sheen and Selwyn Rouse for making contributions to the fund.
The 6th annual film showcase, which is being held from September 7 to 17, 2011, will run alongside the Toronto International Film Festival. It engages families, youth, community groups, and the celluloid industry in a program which includes workshops, screenings, networking sessions, and other activities celebrating the burgeoning film and television sector in the Caribbean. The Toronto showcase, among other goals, aims to raise the profile of Caribbean filmmakers and their products, support the growth of a vibrant world-class Caribbean film and television industry, and serve as a platform for promoting the Caribbean as a premier warm weather travel destination and location for film production.
This year’s showcase, to be headquartered at the popular Harbourfront Centre, will feature the launch of some exciting films, docu-dramas, and CTWD’s 2011-2012 catalog of films.
Interested parties may email caribbeantales@gmail.com or visit www.caribbeantales-events.com.
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