Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival 2011

We Film Night

2011-06-01T11:13:00.000-07:00

A still from Africa UniteUPDATE: Donisha Prendergast, the granddaughter of Bob and Rita Marley, who is currently at work on a documentary about Rastafarianism, will be introducing Africa Unite and engaging in a Q&A with the audience at the screening on Tuesday.ttff/11 Night at WeBeatTuesday 7 June 2011, 7–9pmSt James AmphitheatreWestern Main Road, St JamesWe’re bringing you two movies during this

Sunday Nite Movie Lime

2011-05-23T08:52:00.001-07:00

A still from RainFancy catching a couple of great movies this Arrival Day weekend? If you're in Tobago you can do just that, at the Sunday Nite Movie Lime, which we're hosting along with the Division of Community Development+Culture of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).The lime takes place this Sunday, 29 May, 7-9pm at the Buccoo Community Centre, and will comprise two films. The first is a

Q&A with Pascale Obolo

2011-05-10T09:19:00.000-07:00

Pascale OboloTomorrow evening the ttff will host an evening with Pascale Obolo, the director of the new documentary Calypso Rose: The Lioness of the Jungle. Born in Cameroon, Ms Obolo moved with her family to Paris when she was six. She studied filmmaking at the Conservatoire Libre du Cinéma Français and the University of Paris, and was one of the first people to document the Parisian hip-hop and

At the Miami International Film Festival

2011-03-16T11:57:00.000-07:00

One of the ttff's directors, Emilie Upczak, recently returned from the Miami International Film Festival (MIFF). Emilie sat down with me to discuss her experience.What were the reasons for you going to MIFF?I attended the festival as a representative of ttff in order to make links with another regional film festival, to network, to look for potential films for our programme and identify strategic

The Carnival Film Series

2011-02-18T13:02:00.001-08:00

Call for submissions

2011-02-17T17:02:00.000-08:00

Presented by Flow, the trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff) seeks to highlight excellence in filmmaking through the exhibition of films made in the Caribbean region including Latin American countries in the Caribbean Basin, by Caribbean people of the Diaspora, and by international filmmakers that reflect Caribbean culture and way of life both in the Caribbean and the Diaspora.The Festival screens

Film review: The Solitary Alchemist

2011-02-01T09:24:00.000-08:00

A still from The Solitary Alchemist“Does suffering produce the best art? It’s not an original question, but it is one that prompts itself several times during the course of Brown’s portrait of the Trinidadian jeweller Barbara Jardine . . . The Solitary Alchemist is not so much concerned with what’s ultimately going to happen as it is with slowly and gently painting a picture of Jardine’s life and

Economist Film Project

2011-01-31T13:04:00.001-08:00

The Economist, in collaboration with PBS, has started an initiative known as the Economist Film Project. The project is meant to showcase the work of documentary filmmakers from around the world, and will feature, according to the organisers, "films whose new ideas, perspectives, and insights not only help make sense of the world, but also take a stand and provoke debate."Filmmakers whose films

The PUMA.Creative Catalyst Award

2011-01-14T08:59:00.000-08:00

Are you a documentary filmmaker with an idea for a film, or a film in pre-production, or the early stages of production? Then you can apply for one of 40 PUMA.Creative Catalyst Awards, worth 5,000 euros each.The call for applications closes on March 2, 2011.

Event: A conversation with Richard Fung

2011-01-05T08:53:00.000-08:00

A still from Richard Fung's Rex vs. Singh (2008). Image courtesy Alice YardThe Trinidad-born, Toronto-based filmmaker and writer Richard Fung will show his video Rex vs. Singh (2008) and engage in a conversation about his work at Alice Yard, Port of Spain, on Tuesday 11 January, 2011, at 7.30 pm.From the Alice Yard blog:Richard Fung is a Trinidad-born, Toronto-based video artist and writer. His

Film review: Moloch Tropical

2010-12-07T14:16:00.000-08:00

Zinedine Soulaem in Moloch Tropical "It would be unwise to set down Moloch Tropical as merely a dramatisation of the final chapter of Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s presidency. For to say it is a film à clef and no more is to deny Peck’s considerable gifts as a filmmaker as well as the potency of this film, both as scathing political satire and inventive, sophisticated chamber drama."-- From my review

Waste Land screening

2010-10-30T18:32:00.001-07:00

All are welcome to a free screening of Waste Land (winner of the People's Choice Award for Best Documentary at the ttff/10), being hosted by Studiofilmclub and Sustain T&T.Date: Friday 19 NovemberTime: 7.30pmLocation: Studiofilmclub, Fernandes Compound, LaventilleThe band Jewels of Nature will perform before and after the screening.A synopsis of the film:“The moment when one thing turns into

Film review: The Wind Journeys

2010-10-19T09:45:00.000-07:00

A still from The Wind Journeys"The film’s graceful cadences build unerringly to a largely silent climax, fitting since the dialogue is sparse throughout.... This silent treatment can be a risky ploy for an ending, even in a work as generally elegiac in tone as this one, the risk being that it comes off seeming anticlimactic or, worse, pretentious. The reason neither happens here lies both in

Film review: The Amerindians

2010-10-12T13:25:00.000-07:00

A still from The Amerindians"The Amerindians provides insights that should be included in any discussion of the island’s First Peoples and their descendents: about issues of accountability; about the connections between identity and politics; about who has the power to represent a group, and who should be included in the politics of representation; and about the forest as a form of education and

Film review: La Soga

2010-10-05T11:45:00.000-07:00

A still from La Soga"In spite of the bleakness of its subject and the hard-eyed realism of its perspective on poverty and violence, something of [a] 'state of ecstasy' manages to pervade La Soga, making it a crime thriller with a human face. From the opening sequence, the joyful bachata, Latin dance rhythms, and popular songs of the soundtrack are an upbeat counterpoise to the often distressing

Award-winning films: the final screenings

2010-10-03T22:10:00.000-07:00

A still from Children of God, winner of the award for best film made in the Caribbean spirit and winner of the people's choice award for best dramatic film, ttff/10Below is the schedule for the screenings of the ttff/10 prize-winning films. All screenings take place at MovieTowne, Port of Spain.Monday 4 October (today)8pm: Children of God (Kareem Mortimer, the Bahamas)Tuesday 5 October1pm: Waste

And the winners are...

2010-10-03T15:50:00.000-07:00

Jury awardsBest film made in the Caribbean spirit: Children of God, Kareem Mortimer, the BahamasBest film made in the Caribbean spirit, special mention: Alamar, Pedro Gonzalez-Rubio, MexicoBest Trinidad & Tobago film: Julia & Joyce, Sonja DumasBest short film: The Legend of Buchi Fil, German Gruber, CuraçaoActing awardsBest local actor: Errol Roberts, Quiet DesperationBest local actress: Helen

Schedule change

2010-09-29T06:00:00.000-07:00

A still from Themba (Stephanie Sycholt, South Africa, 2010)Please note the following changes to the ttff schedule.TODAY at 12:30pm, MovieTowne Port of SpainThe screening of A Hand Full of Dirt (as advertised in the newspaper) and Izulu Lami (as advertised online) will not take place. Instead, there will be a screening of Themba.We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Correction

2010-09-27T11:22:00.000-07:00

A still from Terra Estrangeira (Walter Salles & Daniela Thomas, Brazil, 1996)The film festival catalogue lists the screening of Terra Estrangeira at Studiofilmclub as taking place on Friday 1 October. This is incorrect. The screening is on Thursday 30 September, at 7.30pm. One of the film's directors, Daniela Thomas, will be in attendance.We apologise for any possible inconvenience caused.

Schedule changes

2010-09-25T05:17:00.000-07:00

A still from Maaangamizi (Martin Mhando + Ron Mulvihil, Tanzania, 2001)Please note the following changes to the ttff schedule.TODAY at 5:30pm, MovieTowne ChaguanasThe screening of Izululu Lami will not take place. Instead, there will be a screening of Maangamizi.Monday, September 27The New Caribbean Cinema screenings will not take place. They will be replaced by Trapped in an Elevator and Alamar.

So, you’re a filmmaker, huh?

2010-09-24T15:30:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, the trinidad+tobago film festival hosted the first of two free filmmakers’ panels at our sponsor hotel, The Carlton Savannah. Admittedly, we were a bit apprehensive that no one would turn up – scheduling anything at ten in the morning of a public holiday is often a risky venture. Thankfully, quite a few film-interested people were present to hear local and

Schedule change

2010-09-23T09:43:00.000-07:00

A still from Linha de Passe (Daniela Thomas + Walter Salles, Brazil, 2008)Please note the following change to the ttff schedule.Friday 24th September, 5:30pm, MovieTowne ChaguanasThe screening of Themba will not take place. Instead, there will be a screening of Linha de Passe.We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Locations for UWI events

2010-09-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

A still from Moloch Tropical (Raoul Peck, Haiti/France, 2010), one of the films screening at UWI as part of the ttff/10Please note the following dates and locations for all film screenings and the adaptation workshop with Caryl Phillips taking place at the University of the West Indies as part of the ttff/10. Check the Festival schedule for the films being screened and their screening

Schedule change

2010-09-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

A still from Insolaçaõ (Daniela Thomas + Felipe Hirsch, Brazil, 2009)Please note the following change to the ttff schedule.Friday 24th September, 12:30pm, MovieTowne Port of SpainThe screening of New Caribbean Cinema will not take place. Instead, there will be a screening of Insolaçaõ.We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

On the Caribbean film beat

2010-09-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

For nearly two decades, Caribbean Beat magazine has covered the arts, culture and lifestyle of the Caribbean with a panache and sophistication that no other publication has come close to matching.We were very pleased, therefore, when, a few years ago, Beat became an official media sponsor of the trinidad+tobago film festival. This year, to coincide with the Festival, the September/October issue

Film review: Children of God

2010-09-21T13:16:00.000-07:00

Still from Children of God"It’s not giving too much away to say that Children of God’s thematic formula doesn’t tend towards a happy ending. Which is not to say that Mortimer has made a formulaic film. Both his script and the lead actors’ performances clear enough space for Johnny, Romeo, and Lena to establish their idiosyncrasies, and give the characters emotional punch and imaginative resonance

A little TIFF

2010-09-21T06:12:00.001-07:00

11 days. 300 films. 300,000 tickets.No, that's not the new boast of the trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff). (And thank goodness for that. We have enough of a challenge programming 70-odd films; imagine trying to programme 300!)Rather, those are the stats for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the largest public film festival in the world, and, increasingly, one of the most

Schedule changes (updated)

2010-09-19T08:00:00.000-07:00

Still from Izulu Lami (Madoda Ncayiyana/South Africa/2009)Please note the following changes to the ttff/10 schedule.The screenings of A Hand Full of Dirt at MovieTowne Chaguanas on September 24 at 5.30pm, and at MovieTowne Port of Spain on September 29 at 12.30pm, have been replaced by screenings of the films Themba: A Boy Called Hope and Izulu Lami (My Secret Sky), respectively.Also, the

New film: The Other Side of Campus

2010-09-15T20:38:00.000-07:00

Please note that a new film, The Other Side of Campus, has been added to the programme of the ttff/10. See below for details.Dramatic shortTHE OTHER SIDE OF CAMPUSYear of release: 2010Running time: 14 minutesCountry of origin: Trinidad & TobagoLanguage: EnglishDirector: Steven TaylorContact: theartman15@gmail.comUniversity life isn’t just studying, partying and sports. Life on campus often

Film review: Orpailleur

2010-09-14T11:18:00.000-07:00

Tony Mpoudja and Sara Martins in Orpailleur"Barrat’s sure touch results in a well-paced action adventure with performances of a high standard, not to mention a spectacular star: the landscape of the Guianas." – From Georgia Popplewell's review of Orpailleur, directed by Marc Barrat of French Guiana, in the September issue of the Caribbean Review of Books. The review is part of the CRB's special

Films, films, films

2010-09-12T06:05:00.000-07:00

Still from the Mexican film Alamar (Pedro González-Rubio, 2009)There are 10 days to go the trinidad+tobago film festival/10, and the countdown is truly on. Around 70 films will be screened over 14 days at 12 venues. To help you get the most out of your Festival experience, we've come up with two ways to plan your film-viewing schedule. First, you can go through the list of films being screened.

Writing about film

2010-09-08T05:54:00.000-07:00

The poster for Coolie Pink and Green, a film by Patricia Mohammed (T&T, 2009)Coverage of this year's trinidad+tobago film festival began yesterday in the September issue of the Caribbean Review of Books. First up is a review by Andre Bagoo of Coolie Pink and Green, which won the People's Choice Award for Best Short Film at last year's Festival. Every week from next week, for the duration of its

"It's like that film..."

2010-08-27T19:52:00.000-07:00

The speakers at yesterday's press conference to launch the trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff) 2010. From left, Bruce Paddington, Founder and Director of the ttff; Carla Foderingham, CEO of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company; Ryan Khan, filmmaker; Darryl White, Head of Investment Banking, RBC/RBTT; Cassian Gyan, Marketing Manager, Columbus Communications Trinidad Ltd, (Flow); and John Arnold,

Youth in focus

2010-08-14T12:51:00.000-07:00

"And...action!" Shooting takes place for one of the short promotional films for the ttff/10As preparations for the ttff/10 kick into high-gear, blogging has of necessity taken a back seat. Things will pick up closer to the start of the Festival, but for now I'd just like to say a bit about our youth film concept initiative.This year, for the first time, the ttff decided to hold a youth film

At the Zanzibar International Film Festival

2010-07-28T17:04:00.000-07:00

From left: Bruce Paddington, Director of the trinidad+tobago film festival, Martin Mhando, Director of the Zanzibar International Film Festival, and Jennifer Sobol, Programme Officer (Culture), Commonwealth FoundationLast year the Commonwealth Foundation sponsored a workshop on co-productions at the trinidad+tobago film festival. It was suggested then that the ttff should partner with a similar

Our line-up is complete!

2010-07-24T12:18:00.000-07:00

A scene from The Wind Journeys, written and directed by Ciro Guerra of ColombiaYes, that's right. Finally--after months of watching dozens and dozens of screener DVDs, engaging in serious debate, running down films that were playing hard to get, making quite heartbreaking decisions over some films we really wanted to show but just couldn't find the space for, and then programming all the films we

Now Showing: the launch

2010-07-19T07:07:00.000-07:00

Melanie Archer, Art Director of the ttff, right, presents the first print of Now Showing to Nimah Zakuri, Curator of the National Museum and Art GalleryChristopher Cozier said two things that surprised me on Friday night, at the launch of his print Now Showing, the official work of art for the trinidad+tobago film festival/10.The first was that the annex of the National Museum and Art Gallery,

The making of Now Showing

2010-07-17T15:40:00.000-07:00

"Now Showing": Signs and Stories in Christopher Cozier's Art from Mariel Brown on Vimeo.

Now Showing

2010-07-17T08:12:00.001-07:00

Christopher Cozier, Now Showing, (2010), silkscreen on archival paper, 27”x20”Last evening, the official artwork of the trinidad+tobago film festival 2010, Now Showing by Christopher Cozier, was launched at the National Museum and Art Gallery in Port of Spain. A full post on the evening's events to follow.

Meeting and greeting

2010-07-14T18:38:00.001-07:00

The organizing committee of the trinidad+tobago film festival 2010, in front of our new offices. From left: Annabelle Alcazar, Programme Director; Melanie Archer, Art Director; Jonathan Ali, Editorial Director; Bruce Paddington, Founder and Artistic Director; Skye Hernandez, Festival Administrator; Melvina Hazard, Community Relations Coordinator; Magella Moreau, Public Relations Coordinator;

We want you

2010-07-12T17:27:00.000-07:00

That's right, you! The ttff is seeking volunteers to assist with this year's Festival. If you'd like to help out, e-mail us: hello@trinidadandtobagofilmfestival.com

You're invited

2010-07-08T06:34:00.000-07:00

Youth film concept competition: revised

2010-07-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

The trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff), in association with RBC/RBTT, is holding a competition for concepts to create a series of short promotional films for the ttff/10. RBC/RBTT is the ttff's newest supporting sponsor. RBC is the Official Bank and a major sponsor of the Toronto International Film Festival, the world's top public film festival. The competition is open to persons 28 years of

Youth film competition

2010-06-24T08:28:00.000-07:00

The trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff), in association with RBC/RBTT, is holding a competition for concepts to create a series of short promotional films for the ttff/10. The competition is open to persons 28 years of age and younger. The concepts should be for either a 30 second or 60-second film, and must be based on the ttff’s theme, “You’re in Focus”. Concepts should be clear and simple,

This blog has moved

2010-03-19T14:09:00.001-07:00

This blog is now located at http://blog.trinidadandtobagofilmfestival.com/. You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here. For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to http://blog.trinidadandtobagofilmfestival.com/feeds/posts/default.

Call for entries

2010-03-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

Entries are now being accepted for the fifth annual trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff/10), set to take place from September 22 to October 5. The festival accepts films made by Caribbean people, by persons of the Caribbean Diaspora, and by international filmmakers who have made films that reflect Caribbean culture and the way of life in the Caribbean or the Diaspora. Films from Central and South

The Best of Caribbean Tales

2010-02-21T07:26:00.000-08:00

Every year since 2006 the Caribbean Tales Film Festival, founded by the Trinidadian-British-Canadian filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon as a showcase of the best of Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora film, has taken place annually in Toronto, Canada. In a couple days' time, the Best of Caribbean Tales, a spin-off of that festival, will begin in Barbados, and run until March 2nd.The festival will screen

At the Sundance Film Festival

2010-02-02T17:37:00.000-08:00

The recently-concluded Sundance Film Festival, which was founded by Robert Redford in Park City, Utah, is the premiere festival for independent film in the United States and perhaps the world. The trinidad + tobago film festival's creative director, Emilie Upczak, had the privilege of covering the Sundance festival for the Sundance Channel. I spoke with Emilie via Skype and she told me what the

Call for short dramatic films

2010-01-13T06:51:00.001-08:00

Are you an experienced filmmaker interested in making a short film about the youth of Trinidad and Tobago? Then the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company is looking for you. The Company is looking to fund short dramatic productions (25-30 minutes) about the youth (16-25 years old) of T&T. To download the requirements and application form, go here.

Feature film production grants. Act now!

2009-12-14T18:46:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for funds to make your next feature film? Yes? Well, take note of the following grant opportunity courtesy The Global Film Initiative, which is awarding production grants of up to US $10,000 each to select applicants. This is their Winter granting cycle, and the deadline for submitting your application is January 15, 2010. Below is some text from The Global Film Initiative or you

Children of God premieres at the BIFF

2009-12-12T15:26:00.000-08:00

Last night, the Bahamas International Film Festival got underway. Opening the festival was the local feature Children of God, directed by Kareem Mortimer. The film follows the fate of two characters: Jonny, a young white Bahamian artist suffering from depression and who is in danger of losing his scholarship at a local university, and Lena, a middle-aged anti-gay activist. Both head to the island

The Havana Film Festival, and Johnny Depp at the BIFF

2009-12-05T06:59:00.000-08:00

Apologies for being late with this: the Havana Film Festival is currently taking place. The Festival--The International Festival of New Latin American Cinema, to give it its full, proper title--began on December 3rd, and runs until the 10th in Havana, Cuba. It focuses on new feature, documentary and animated films from the Caribbean and Latin America, films "whose significance and artistic values

Rockstone and Bootheel: the West Indian Film Series

2009-11-17T06:29:00.000-08:00

Contemporary Caribbean art is the focus an exhibition currently taking place in Hartford, Connecticut. Rockstone and Bootheel: Contemporary West Indian Art, which is on at the Real Art Ways gallery, opened on November 14 and runs until March 14 of next year. The show features some 39 artists of the English-speaking Caribbean, including Jamie Lee Loy, whose film Bury Your Mother gained a special

BIFF! It's the Bahamas International Film Festival

2009-11-13T06:24:00.000-08:00

Film festival fervour is currently at a low round these parts--that is, until we start prepping (soon!) for for next year's event--but up at the northern end of the Caribbean, in the Bahamas, buzz is building for the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), which runs from December 10 to 17.Like the trinidad+tobago film festival, the BIFF is celebrating its fourth year of existence this year.

TTFF + Flow extend partnership

2009-10-15T03:52:00.000-07:00

Some good news: as reported in today's Trinidad Guardian, we have extended our partnership with our presenting sponsor, Flow. Flow's initial sponsorship of the trinidad+tobago film festival, which began in 2008 and was set to run for a period of three years, will now be extended for a further three years. This guarantees that Flow will be our presenting sponsor until 2013.Flow's director of

Lights, Camera . . . Inaction!

2009-10-07T15:30:00.000-07:00

Dear readers: as some of you may have noticed, the ttff/09 is now over. We haven't blogged since October 1, so I just wanted to drop a check-in note to explain our inaction over the past week and let you know that we'll be back in the swing of things soon. For now, though, Jonathan and I are taking moment to reclaim our respective pre-festival lives. We're catching up on a few missed deadlines,

Extra screenings: the winning films

2009-10-01T13:28:00.000-07:00

A shot from Linda Atkinson and Nick Doob's Carmen & Geoffrey, which won the jury prize for best film at the trinidad+tobago film festival/09Dear friends of the festival,Due to the overwhelming demand, we shall we screening all of the winning films of the trinidad+tobago film festival/09 one more time. If you didn't catch them before, or would like to see them again, here's your final opportunity

And the winners are...

2009-09-29T20:35:00.000-07:00

First off, apologies. There I was, all set to liveblog the closing ceremony of the trinidad+tobago film festival/09. Then I get to the venue, and what do I find? No WiFi access. (Is there a worse way to break a blogger's heart?) Anyway, there will be a fuller post later, with photos, but for now, here are your winners....Best filmCarmen and Geoffrey, directed by Nick Doob and Linda AtkinsonBest

Adoor Gopalakrishnan at UWI

2009-09-29T06:11:00.000-07:00

Indian filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan speaks at the screening of his film Four Women, which took place yesterday at UWIHow do you know when you're in the presence of a Great Artist? Yesterday afternoon at the School of Education at the University of the West Indies, St Augustine, the University's Film Programme, in association with the Indian High Commission and the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for

Liveblogging the TTFF09 awards

2009-09-29T04:52:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends of the Festival,After two weeks of films, workshops, Q&A sessions, panel discussions and parties, the trinidad+tobago film festival/09 comes to an end this evening, with the official closing film, awards ceremony and reception at MovieTowne. At 5.45pm the screening of Carmen and Geoffrey takes place, with guest of honour Geoffrey Holder in attendance. After the screening, the awards

The Cinema of Satyajit Ray and Coolie Pink and Green at MovieTowne

2009-09-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

Patricia Mohammed speaks after the screening of her film, Coolie Pink and GreenAdam Low speaks after the screening of his film, The Cinema of Satyajit RayOn September 25 the ttff/09 screened two films as part of our new heritage focus. This year the cinematic spotlight was on India so, of course, we couldn't let the festival pass without taking a look at the work of Satyajit Ray, arguably India's

The second filmmakers' panel

2009-09-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

Filmmakers' panel, from left to right: Marina Salandy Brown (moderator), Ishmahil Blagrove, Adam Lowe, Mariel Brown, Steve McAlpin, Lawrence Coke, and Juan GélasLast Friday, members of the ttff sat with a few of our guest filmmakers at Chaud Restaurant for a panel moderated by festival executive director, Marina Salandy Brown. This was the second and final filmmakers' panel for the 09 season. We

The use of archival footage in documentary filmmaking

2009-09-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

British documentary filmmaker Adam Low at yesterday afternoon's workshopSo yesterday afternoon at the Hotel Normandie, after the team-led morning workshop on the theory and practice of documentary filmmaking, British documentary filmmaker and trinidad+tobago film festival regular Adam Low, who was part of the morning session, did a solo stint on the use and misuse of archive film footage in

bfm at SFC

2009-09-25T22:07:00.000-07:00

ttff/09 bfm guest filmmakers Ishmahil Blagrove (holding mic) and Lawrence CokeThursday night marked the final StudioFilmClub screenings for the trinidad+tobago film festival/09. The three nights of last week's programme were programmed by Hilton Als, who chose as his focus artists' films and issues of identity surrounding womanhood. This week's programme differed as the ttff and SFC welcomed the

The Solitary Alchemist at MovieTowne

2009-09-25T20:04:00.000-07:00

Director Mariel Brown (centre) enjoys a hearty round of applause after The Solitary Alchemist, a portrayal of the life and art of Barbara Jardine. With her from left are: Barbie Jardine, Marina Salandy Brown (ttff director), Sean Edghill (cameraman) and Eniola Adelekan (cinematographer)Yesterday evening, a full house at MovieTowne POS sat enraptured by filmmaker Mariel Brown's documentary, The

This is Our Country Too at MovieTowne

2009-09-25T17:32:00.000-07:00

bfm guest, Ishmahil Blagrove answers a few questions after yesterday's screening of his documentary, This is Our Country Too. Moderating is ttff director, Marina Salandy BrownHello readers, first of all I'd like to apologise for the fact that this post is a day late (hopefully it's not also a dollar short). We've had a busy few days at the festival, so much so that the proliferation of panels and

The TTFF at UWI

2009-09-25T11:02:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the lack of photos with this post, but I've been having good old technical difficulties today. Will add the photos as soon as possible.I'll be the first to admit it: last year's partnership between the trinidad+tobago film festival and the University of the West Indies wasn't exactly a smashing success. Cobbled together at the last minute, the UWI programme for the ttff/08 left much

Schedule update: Special Screenings, 25/9 + 26/9

2009-09-24T23:40:00.000-07:00

Dear friends of the festival, we're happy to announce the following special late night screenings, which are not on our website or our printed materials. Screenings will take place at MovieTowne, POSTODAY Friday 25 September11.00 pm SHORTS PACKAGE (Total Running Time: 104 minutes)THE POWER OF THE VAGINA This documentary explores the issue of women’s sexuality and sexual politics, examining

The future of co-productions (panel notes)

2009-09-24T21:38:00.000-07:00

Attendees at the Commonwealth Foundation panel included (front row): Jen Sobol, programme officer of the CF; Tony Hall, filmmaker; Abigail Hadeed, photographer; (second row from right): Marina Salandy Brown, Executive Director of the ttff and Francesca Hawkins, producer of The Siege and director of Sans SouciToday was a busy day for us at the trinidad+tobago film festival so I'm cutting the

Panel discussion: The future of co-productions in the Caribbean

2009-09-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow (24 September) the Commonwealth Foundation in conjunction with the trinidad+tobago film festival will be hosting a discussion panel entitled The future of co-productions: what next for the Caribbean?The panel will look at the recommendations coming out of an extensive Commonwealth Foundation report on film, The Bigger Picutre: A Way Forward for Film in the Commonwealth, including

The Power of the Vagina hits MovieTowne

2009-09-22T05:30:00.000-07:00

Producer Renee Pollonais addresses The Power of the VaginaLast night, film festival patrons were treated to The Power of the Vagina, a documentary short that explores issues of women's sexuality. The film is comprised of interviews with various experts and people in the street, all of which prompted much hilarity in the theatre, as well as a few cringe-worthy moments. Absent at the screening was

The filmmakers' Q&A: Yao Ramesar

2009-09-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

Robert Yao Ramesar of Trinidad and Tobago, director of Sistagod IIRobert Yao Ramesar is a Trinidad and Tobago filmmaker. His first feature film, Sistagod, screened at the trinidad+tobago film festival in 2006. This year his Festival entry is Sistagod II, which makes its world premiere tomorrow night at the Festival at MovieTowne, at 8.00pm.What was the first film you remember seeing?Born Free.

The TTFF kicks off in Tobago

2009-09-21T13:42:00.000-07:00

A shot from Queen of the Brands, directed by Thomas Jemmerson of Trinidad and Tobago. Queen of the Brands is one of the films screening as part of the trinidad+tobago film festival/09 in TobagoOn Tuesday at 6.00pm the stars of The Ghost of Hing King Estate will be at MovieTowne in Lowlands for the official launch of the trinidad+tobago film festival/09 and the first screening of the film in

Silent Light: Q&A at MovieTowne

2009-09-21T11:18:00.000-07:00

Mexican director, Carlos Reygadas, talks about his film, Silent Light, after yesterday's screening at MovieTowneLast night was the first festival screening of Silent Light, a critically acclaimed film from Mexican director Carlos Reygadas. Jonathan has already said much about this film in a previous post, so there's no real need for me to delve into it here, suffice to say we think it's brilliant

The jury is in

2009-09-20T17:33:00.000-07:00

Inside the judging room where the 09 festival jury decides which films will take home cash prizes. Clockwise from left: Tanja Meding, Carla Foderingham, BC Pires, Christine Punnett, and Bruce PaddingtonAt around noon today, I obnoxiously inserted myself into a room at the TTFC where a jury of five had been sitting for three hours (and would sit for two more) making weighty decisions as to which

The Ghost of Hing King Estate screens to a full house

2009-09-20T16:10:00.000-07:00

Some of the cast and crew of The Ghost of Hing King Estate. From left: actor Michael Cherrie, writer/co-producer Francis Escayg, co-producer (and our festival programming director) Annabelle Alcazar, actor Wendell Manwarren, actress Teri Bovell, and actress Cecelia SalazarSomeone commented recently that it seems a shame that the trinidad+tobago film festival/09 isn't showing more films from T&T.

Bury Your Mother at MovieTowne

2009-09-20T14:58:00.000-07:00

Jaime Lee Loy of Trinidad and Tobago, director of the film Bury Your MotherExperimental films aren't easy viewing. Unlike most films, experimental (or avant garde) films don't set out to do what conventional films do. Experimental films play with form, deliberately seeking to puzzle, confuse, perhaps even frustrate. And in their content they can disturb, offend, outrage. Needless to say,

The filmmakers' Q&A: Carlos Reygadas

2009-09-20T09:23:00.000-07:00

Carlos Reygadas of Mexico, director of Silent LightThis evening at 8.30 at MovieTowne, the Mexican film Silent Light will be screened, with its director Carlos Reygadas in attendance. The following Q&A gives a tantalising peek into the mind of one of contemporary world cinema's leading auteurs. What was the first film you remember seeing?Airport 77.What was the last film you saw?You the Living.

Workshop: Alternative Marketing in the Digital Era

2009-09-20T06:25:00.000-07:00

The attendees at the Alternative Marketing in the Digital Era workshopIn one of my previous posts I said that without an audience to watch them, there wouldn't be films in the first place. That might seem to be stating the obvious, but the fact is that many filmmakers are so focused on making their films that they often don't think about what comes after the film is finished. How do you get your

One Woman at StudioFilmClub

2009-09-19T05:05:00.000-07:00

The programme for the three nights of screenings at SFC as part of the TTFF, curated by Hilton AlsLast evening, the three nights of screenings at StudioFilmClub curated by Hilton Als as part of the trinidad+tobago film festival/09 drew to a close, with a series of short films by the black US artist Kara Walker. In his introduction to the films, Als spoke of the way he came to Walker's art, and

The first filmmakers' panel

2009-09-18T13:33:00.000-07:00

The filmmakers' panel: Dalton Narine, from left, Francesca Hawkins, Francis Escayg, Bruce Paddington, Ida Does and Vero BollowPassion. If one word could serve as the keyword for this morning's filmmakers' panel at Chaud restaurant in Port of Spain, that would be it. If you're a filmmaker making independent or non-mainstream films--in Trinidad and Tobago, the wider Caribbean, and really, just

Schedule update: Special Screenings

2009-09-18T06:46:00.000-07:00

Dear friends of the festival, we're happy to announce the following special screenings, which are not on our website or our printed materials. Please note that our 11.00 film on Saturday night has strong adult content. We hope you'll make a note of these screenings and come out to watch a few great films, perhaps even have a beer on us and meet a filmmaker or two. TODAY Friday 18 September11.00

Sans Souci and The Wind and the Water at MovieTowne

2009-09-18T04:06:00.000-07:00

Filmmakers Francesca Hawkins of Trinidad and Tobago, left, and Vero Bollow of PanamaFilms are made by collaboration. Sometimes, they are also made by a collective. That's the case with the two films that screened last night at MovieTowne, Sans Souci from Trinidad and Tobago, and The Wind and the Water, out of Panama.In the typical filmmaking process, many people work together, each with a

Two Women . . . Sort of at StudioFilmClub

2009-09-17T20:25:00.000-07:00

US film critic and New Yorker staff writer, Hilton Als, shares a laugh with StudioFilmClub co-founder, Peter DoigOne of the questions Jonathan and I have been sending out in our Q&As to directors is this: Can filmmaking change the world? The responses to this question have been varied. Yes. No. It already has. Driving home tonight I found my own answer: Perhaps filmmaking can't change the world,

Dalton Narine on Minshall and the Making of Mas Man

2009-09-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

Dalton Narine, director of Mas Man is interviewed in the lobby of MovieTowne earlier today, after the screening of his filmAt 3.00 p.m. today, when most of Trinidad was busy picking up kids from school or impatiently eyeing the clock willing the end of the workday to arrive sooner, a decent group of roughly 60-something people gathered at MovieTowne to take in the screening of Mas Man--a film on

The Filmmakers' Q&A: Vero Bollow

2009-09-17T12:14:00.000-07:00

Vero Bollow, director of The Wind and the Water, from PanamaOriginally from the US, Vero Bollow lives and works in Panama. Vero is the director of The Wind and the Water, and she will be at the screening of the film tonight at 8.30 at MovieTowne.What's the first film you remember seeing?Amadeus.What was the last film you saw?The Visitor.Which filmmaker do you admire most?I admire the films more

3 Women at StudioFilmClub

2009-09-17T03:50:00.000-07:00

Photo of Shelley Duval from Robert Altman's 3 Women, on the wall at StudioFilmClubThe late Robert Altman claimed that 3 Women came to him in a dream. It must have been a very strange dream, because the film is a strange, unsettling one. Loosely based on Ingmar Bergman's Persona, his classic study of two women in a tense, emotionally and psychologically vampiric relationship, 3 Women adds one more

Ida Does at the TTFF

2009-09-16T15:20:00.000-07:00

Ida Does interacts with students of the Film Programme at the University of the West IndiesI ended my last blog post by saying that it was time for the real business of the Film Festival, the film-watching, to begin. I begin this post, however, not by discussing a film screening, but a lecture. This morning, Surinamese filmmaker Ida Does, director of the moving biographical documentary Trefossa,

The gala opening

2009-09-15T22:07:00.000-07:00

A view of the crowd at the cocktail reception at MovieTowne for the opening of the trinidad+tobago film festival/09The months of preparation are at an end, and the moment we've been anticipating is finally here. Last evening, the fourth annual trinidad+tobago film festival kicked off with a cocktail reception, the opening films and an after party.The reception and screening of the opening films

The filmmakers' Q&A: Maria Govan

2009-09-15T08:47:00.001-07:00

Maria Govan of the Bahamas, director of RainThis evening is the opening night gala of the trinidad+tobago film festival/09. One of the films being screened is Rain, directed by Maria Govan of the Bahamas. Here we present an in-depth, illuminating Q&A with Ms. Govan about the movies of her childhood, the vagaries of the filmmaking process, and the highly emotional experience of shooting her first

The filmmakers' Q&A: Lawrence Coke

2009-09-14T22:53:00.000-07:00

From the other side of the pond comes this quick Q&A with British director, Lawrence Coke. Lawrence has been making films since 1997; his first film, the feature-length mini-DV offering MC, was loosely based on Romeo and Juliet. His award-winning films include Melvin: Portrait of a Player (2003), Morally Speaking (2005) and One Day at a Time (2006), all of which will be screened at the trinidad+

The Filmmakers' Q&A: Adoor Gopalakrishnan

2009-09-13T15:49:00.000-07:00

Adoor Gopalakrishnan of India, the director of Four WomenAnd the Q&As keep coming. This time we feature India's Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who will be at the Festival on 25 September for the screening of his feature-length narrative film Four Women. Hailing from Kerala, Gopalakrishnan made his first film in 1965, and is one of India's leading filmmakers. He holds the title Commander of the Order of

Filmmaker present: Ida Does, director of Trefossa

2009-09-13T07:39:00.000-07:00

Ida Does, director of the documentary TrefossaIda Does is the director of the documentary Trefossa, about the Surinamese writer Henri de Ziel (Trefossa). Ms. Does will be present at the screening of the film at MovieTowne on the opening day of the Festival, Wednesday 16 September, at 3:00pm. Below is a short synopsis of the film.Trefossa (Henri de Ziel, 1916 – 1975) was a Surinamese neo-romantic

The filmmakers' Q&A: Dalton Narine

2009-09-12T10:01:00.000-07:00

Award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker, Dalton Narine, provides a few great answers to our questions about film and life. Trinidad-born Narine will be here for the festival, and will be present at the screening of Mas Man, his documentary on the work of Peter MinshallWhat was the first film you remember seeing?It had to be a Western, because growing up Behind the Bridge we needed

Personal Pick: Silent Light

2009-09-11T10:20:00.000-07:00

Thou shalt not: Marianne (Maria Pankratz) and Johan (Cornelio Wall) are lovers in an adulterous affair in Silent Light, directed by Carlos Reygadas of MexicoThis is the film I've been the most eager to write about, and the most apprehensive. Eager, because I think it is the best film being shown at the trinidad+tobago film festival (not counting the classic Pather Panchali); apprehensive, because

The filmmakers' Q&A: Mariel Brown

2009-09-10T12:21:00.001-07:00

T&T filmmaker Mariel Brown won the people's choice award at the 2007 trinidad+tobago film festival for The Insatiable Season, her documenetary about mas man Brian MacFarlane's Carnival presentation Threads of Joy. This year Mariel returns to the Festival with a portrait of jeweller Barbara Jardine, The Solitary Alchemist. In this Q&A the director discusses, among other things, why documentaries

The filmmakers' Q&A: Jaime Lee Loy

2009-09-09T19:08:00.000-07:00

Bury Your Mother director and artist, Jaime Lee Loy answers questions about a Martian, her first, her most recent, tears, and time travel (all related to film, of course!). Get to know a rising star a bit better in this second installment of our filmmakers' Q&A series.What was the first film you remember seeing?The Omen. I was seven.What is the most recent film you saw?District 9. Excellent

Personal Pick: Rain

2009-09-09T04:12:00.001-07:00

A shot from Rain, written and directed by Maria Govan of the BahamasRain is a coming-of-age story. The coming-of-age film is a well-established sub-genre of drama; it's been around for a good half of the history of cinema, certainly ever since François Truffaut so memorably captured childhood's end through his young autobiographical protagonist Antoine Doinel in The 400 Blows (1959). So as a

The filmmakers' Q&A: Adam Low

2009-09-08T04:33:00.000-07:00

Documentary filmmaker Adam Low of the United KingdomYou already know who's coming to the trinidad+tobago film festival/09. Now get to know a little bit more about our guests, with this series of filmmakers' Q&As. We begin with British documentary filmmaker Adam Low, who will be here for the screening of his documentary about famed Indian director Satyajit Ray, The Cinema of Satyajit Ray. Last

When artists make films

2009-09-06T16:23:00.000-07:00

A video still from artist Kara Walker's 2005 work, 8 Possible Beginnings . . . What distinguishes a film that's categorised as an "art film" from a film or video made by an artist? My personal answer: Who the hell cares, just as long as it's good! This post highlights a few noteworthy, artist-made films that will be screened at the trinidad+tobago film festival/09. If, like me, you have a

Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival 2011

We Film Night

Sunday Nite Movie Lime

Q&A with Pascale Obolo

At the Miami International Film Festival

The Carnival Film Series

Call for submissions

Film review: The Solitary Alchemist

Economist Film Project

The PUMA.Creative Catalyst Award

Event: A conversation with Richard Fung

Film review: Moloch Tropical

Waste Land screening

Film review: The Wind Journeys

Film review: The Amerindians

Film review: La Soga

Award-winning films: the final screenings

And the winners are...

Schedule change

Correction

Schedule changes

So, you’re a filmmaker, huh?

Schedule change

Locations for UWI events

Schedule change

On the Caribbean film beat

Film review: Children of God

A little TIFF

Schedule changes (updated)

New film: The Other Side of Campus

Film review: Orpailleur

Films, films, films

Writing about film

"It's like that film..."

Youth in focus

At the Zanzibar International Film Festival

Our line-up is complete!

Now Showing: the launch

The making of Now Showing

Now Showing

Meeting and greeting

We want you

You're invited

Youth film concept competition: revised

Youth film competition

This blog has moved

Call for entries

The Best of Caribbean Tales

At the Sundance Film Festival

Call for short dramatic films

Feature film production grants. Act now!

Children of God premieres at the BIFF

The Havana Film Festival, and Johnny Depp at the BIFF

Rockstone and Bootheel: the West Indian Film Series

BIFF! It's the Bahamas International Film Festival

TTFF + Flow extend partnership

Lights, Camera . . . Inaction!

Extra screenings: the winning films

And the winners are...

Adoor Gopalakrishnan at UWI

Liveblogging the TTFF09 awards

The Cinema of Satyajit Ray and Coolie Pink and Green at MovieTowne

The second filmmakers' panel

The use of archival footage in documentary filmmaking

bfm at SFC

The Solitary Alchemist at MovieTowne

This is Our Country Too at MovieTowne

The TTFF at UWI

**Schedule update: Special Screenings, 25/9 + 26/9**

The future of co-productions (panel notes)

Panel discussion: The future of co-productions in the Caribbean

The Power of the Vagina hits MovieTowne

The filmmakers' Q&A: Yao Ramesar

The TTFF kicks off in Tobago

Silent Light: Q&A at MovieTowne

The jury is in

The Ghost of Hing King Estate screens to a full house

Bury Your Mother at MovieTowne

The filmmakers' Q&A: Carlos Reygadas

Workshop: Alternative Marketing in the Digital Era

Schedule update: Special Screenings, 25/9 + 26/9

Schedule update: Special Screenings