ST. LUCIA – St. Lucia is currently playing host to the first ever Traveling Caribbean Film Showcase, to run until Friday, May 25th.
The event, which aims to contribute to the development of cinema and audio visuals in the Caribbean, is an initiative of the Cuban Institute of Arts and Cinematography Industries and the Ministry of Culture of Jamaica, with support from UNESCO.
The showcase, which consists of the latest cinema and video production of fiction, documentary and animation by Caribbean creators, was officially launched at the Alliance Francaise De Sainte-Lucie on May 17th.
Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO and member of the National Coordinating committee of the Film Festival Paule Turmel John said, “It is intended to contribute to the preservation of the memory of Caribbean audio visuals in all its diversity. This show case gives us the opportunity to learn and appreciate what is being done here in the Caribbean in the film industry. An industry faced with major challenges—lack of funds, scarcity of technical expertise and so on.”
Organizers say the film festival is a fresh alternative to the overwhelming bombardment by American cinema.
Cuban Ambassador to St. Lucian Hugo Ruiz Cabrera expressed the hope the Public would come out in large numbers to support the work of fellow Caribbean film makers.
He said, “This film festival will allow the screening of 30 films from 15 different countries, which were selected from a pool of more than 100 films submitted by 21 countries. The selected films represent an expression of the diversity, reality and wealth of our cultural values.”
With the launch of the initiative, the showcase will travel the length and breadth of the nation, conducting free matinees to primary and secondary schools and the general public.
