Caribbean Filmmakers Scholarship Fund Launched

Filmmakers across the Caribbean region can apply for scholarships to attend this September's CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution Toronto Film Showcase and Market Access Program in Toronto.

Announcing the CaribbeanTales Scholarship Fund at a Toronto press conference last week, Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO of CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribition, said the new fund will allow filmmakers from the region and the Caribbean Diaspora to attend the festival. But more importantly Solomon pointed out scholarship winners would have access to the highly effective Market Access incubator Program which teaches skills in the all-important packaging and marketing of films.

"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," Solomon declared. She added early donor commitments to the fund had been "extremely encouraging" and validated the program.

The sixth annual film showcase is being held from September 7 to 17. It will run alongside the Toronto International Film Festival, 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.

Solomon said she had received interest from filmmakers in Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Martinique and the United States; and thanked Camilio Antonio, Carl Thorpe, Charlotte Rose, Fil Fraser, Jean Sheen and Selwyn Rouse for making contributions to the fund.

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.

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.

CTWD, a member of the BIM Ventures family of entrepreneurs, has hosted two film festivals in Barbados, another in New York, produced training workshops for filmmakers, and now has scores of films in its catalog.

Interested parties may email caribbeantales@gmail.com or visit www.caribbeantales-events.com.