CaribbeanTales 2011 @ Island Inn -

The Official Schedule of films, workshops, and events will be online soon! Check the website often!

ANIMAE CARIBE AT CT2011

Animator Camille Selvon Abrahams - a pioneer and visionary.

Award Winning Animator to Conduct Incubator at CaribbeanTales 2011

(Bridgetown, Barbados) Award-winning animator Camille Selvon Abrahams will conduct an intensive Animation Incubator at the highly anticipated CaribbeanTales 2011 Film Festival that runs from March 14-20, in Barbados.

Entitled “Creating a Convincing Animation Bible” this special 3-day program will take place on March 15, 16^th, and 18th, and aims to teach participants how to create market-ready animation proposals using creatively innovative local characters and storylines developed especially for the medium.

Sessions will include Creating the Ideal Synopsis, Character Design, and a presentation on Creating your World which deals with environmental and background design sheets. At the end of the workshop, participants will have put together a detailed production Bible which can be used to support a pitch for funding.

CEO and Founder of CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution, Frances-Anne Solomon expressed her delight that Abrahams will be participating in CaribbeanTales 2011. “Camille is a pioneer and visionary who has single-handedly created the basis for a highly successful indigenous animation industry based out of Trinidad. We are delighted that she will be joining us here in Barbados to share her skills with producers from around the region and the Diaspora.

“Animation is an aspect of the film industry with huge potential for development in the Caribbean.” Solomon added

As Camille Abrahams explained: “In discussions with Frances-Anne, we decided to focus on developing storytelling skills rather than on the purely technical aspects of animation. This is really exciting for me because we in the Caribbean have so many rich stories to tell. It is the craft of storytelling that if mastered will add a whole new dimension to our Caribbean animations."

She went on to state that “…animation is a $25 billion industry, and within the past couple of years moviegoers in England and America are craving product from the Caribbean. I know there are dozens of young talented animators around the region, and I am coming to CaribbeanTales to give back.”

In 1999, Abrahams, a graduate of Goldsmith’s in London, won the Royal Television Society Award for her film Master Peace and decided to move her 4-year old company Full Circle Animations to Trinidad and Tobago. There, in addition to producing animations for a range of multimedia services including commercials, corporate productions, and websites, she trains young animators through the BA program that she created at the University of Trinidad and Tobago.

Abrahams looks forward to sharing her knowledge as she seeks to contribute to the development and creation of wonderful, funny, authentic Caribbean animated films.

"The Caribbean is now being seen as an exciting new frontier for animation, and I believe we have the versatility, creativity and passion to really make a statement on the world stage.” She said.

Camille Selvon Abrahams Animation Incubator is sponsored by Animae Caribe, and Full Circle Animations.

- Pre-Registration is required for Camille Selvon Abraham's Animation Incubator. The cost of the 3-day program is Bdos $60/day. To register, please send an email with your cv, to registration@caribbeantales-worldwide.com. Payment is in advance by check or paypal. The Incubator is limited to 40 participants.

CaribbeanTales 2011 Film Festival, Symposium and Marketplace @ Island Inn is sponsored by: Island Inn, The Starcom Network, Ultimax TV, Lisa Wickham's Ezone, the Commonwealth Foundation, SFa Communications, Hall-e-wood Productions, Truly Caribbean, Morenamedia, HAMA Productions, Barbados Government Information Service, Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Caribbean Media Corporation, US Embassy, Animae Caribe, Merville Lynch Prods, Barbados National Bank, Steinhill Studios, Blue Light Media, and Autonomous Entertainment.

CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution the region's first full-service film distribution company, is founded by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and principals are creative industries expert Dr Keith Nurse (Chair), economist and businessman Dr Terrence Farrell, media personality and producer Lisa Wickham, and filmmaker and writer Mary Wells. CTWD is a member of the Barbados Business Enterprise Corporation that provides Seed and Venture Capital Services.

For further information, please contact:

SFA Communications Inc
#48 Warrens Court, Warrens Industrial Park
Warrens St. Michael
info@sfacommunications.com

One From Ten : Spotlight On Alwin Bully

By Khadija Sinanan

With a list of achievements long enough to span Portsmouth to Roseau twice over (for those of us not familiar with the geography of Dominica, trust us, this is no cake walk), Alwin Bully is reputed for his invaluable contributions to the rich literary theatre, film and creative scene of his native Dominica and the wider Caribbean. Bully is reputed not only for designing the original national flag of Dominica on its independence from British rule in 1978, but also his exemplary contributions through service in several public capacities, which greatly facilitated the propagation of art and culture in Dominica. His influence extended also to the wider Caribbean, through his roles as President, Partners of the Americas, Dominica/Duchess Country, NY, USA (1987–88), UNESCO Senior Programme Specialist for Culture, Jamaica, and as Executive Member, Association of Caribbean Theatre Artists among several others. A continuation of this regional thrust of sharing and creating in a uniquely Caribbean space, Alwin Bully is due to participate in the 1st CaribbeanTales Content Incubator, one element of the CaribbeanTales 2011 Film Festival, Symposium and Marketplace, scheduled to kick off in Barbados on March 14 at the Island Inn Hotel. He also plays the lead in Russell Watson's film, 'A Hand Full of Dirt', the opening night feature of the CaribbeanTales Film Festival to be screened on March 14^th at Frank Collymore Hall.
Bully is one of the select ten producers from around the world slated to participate in the CaribbeanTales Content Incubator. A highly competitive endeavour, the successful ten participants were chosen from a pool of more than 50 producers who applied to this year’s Content Incubator program. The unique program, a critical element of the CaribbeanTales 2011 Festival, Symposium and Marketplace, aims to provide participants with support to develop their new projects through intensive analyses and interventions by international consultants.
This year’s incubator focuses on exploring popular local characters and stories that will draw large audiences and funding. Filmmakers will also take part in other events during the festival, like the Symposium, public workshops and screenings, and benefit from networking opportunities with local and international attendees. At the end of the week, they will have the opportunity to pitch their projects to a panel of buyers at the Pitch Marketplace that will take place on March 19th.
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For more info on this year's CaribbeanTales Film Festival. Symposium. Marketplace. Check out the official website.
And be sure to check out the CaribbeanTales Blog. 

10 Outstanding Producers from around the world will participate in unique CaribbeanTales Content Incubator at CT 2011.

CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution will host unique Content Incubator geared at developing market ready local content.

Bridgetown – Feb 18, 2011

Ten (10) outstanding producers from around the world will participate in the 1st CaribbeanTales Content Incubator due to kick off in Barbados on March 14 at the Island Inn Hotel.

“The quality of the applications was high, and our judges had very hard choices to make. The projects chosen are diverse and exciting, ranging from historical, to supernatural to contemporary. We are looking forward to seeing all these projects come to fruition.“ said CEO and accomplished international filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon.

The successful applicants are: filmmaker Maharaki from Martinique, writer Terry Lee Barrat, from Philadelphia, USA; Jhon Narvaez Escudero from Columbia; Faisal Lutchmedial, from Montreal; Alwin Bully from Dominica; Garland Holder from Trinidad; and Alison Latchman from Jamaica. Three local Barbadian producers will round off the group – photographer Douglas Newton, writer/director Marc Gibson, and writer/producer Sara Venable.

More than 50 producers applied to this year’s Content Incubator program. The unique program, part of the CaribbeanTales 2011 Festival, Symposium and Marketplace, aims to provide participants with support to develop their new projects through intensive analyses and interventions by international consultants. This year’s incubator focuses on exploring popular local characters and stories that will draw large audiences and funding. Filmmakers will also take part in other events during the festival, like the Symposium, public workshops and screenings, and benefit from networking opportunities with local and international attendees. At the event of the week, they will have the opportunity to pitch their projects to a panel of buyers at the Marketplace that will take place on March 19th.

Formed in May 2010, CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution is the first ever film distribution company of its’ kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. Launched regionally in Barbados, with the Vision Statement “Taking Caribbean Films to the World”, the company aims to be the “go to” solution for Caribbean filmmakers seeking to penetrate the international marketplace, and international buyers looking for quality Caribbean-themed content.

Already CTWD boasts a distribution catalogue of over 50 films and television programs by some of the best filmmakers from the Caribbean and its Diaspora .

The CTWD Content Incubator will be led by CTWD principals Dr Keith Nurse, Frances-Anne Solomon and Lisa Wickham, supported by NY-based Marketing and Distribution specialist Michelle Matterre, American Television Director Neema Barnett, and South African Producer Kethiwe Ngcobo.

The CaribbeanTales Content Incubator is made possible through the support of the Commonwealth Foundation, Autonomous Entertainment and The Shridath Ramphal Center.

CT 2011 Film Festival, Symposium and Marketplace @ Island Inn is sponsored by: Island Inn, The Starcom Network, Ultimax TV, Lisa Wickham's Ezone, the Commonwealth Foundation, SFa Communications , Hall-e-wood Productions , Truly Caribbean, Morenamedia , HAMA Productions, Barbados Government Information Service, Caribbean Tourism Organisation, Caribbean Media Corporation, US EMBASSY, Animae Caribe, Merville Lynch Prods, Steinhill Studios , Blue Light Media, Autonomous Entertainment.

CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution is a member of the Barbados Business Enterprise Corporation that provides Seed and Venture Capital Services.

CaribbeanTales 2011 and U.S. Embassy, Barbados Host Week of Free Film Screenings for Secondary School Children

Trapped In An Elevator by Barbadian Rommel Hall

CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD) will partner with the U.S. Embassy for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and the National Library Service to host a week of free film screenings for Secondary School students across Barbados.

The screenings will be the first of a dynamic series of  film-related events that will  take place during February and March under the banner of “CaribbeaTales 2011”.

CEO and Founder of CTWD, award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon., said that CaribbeanTales is committed to the use of audio-visual content to educate and provide a positive image of people of African heritage - and by extension Caribbean people - to young people.

“We are delighted to partner with the U.S. Embassy because of the historical commonalities between peoples of the Caribbean and African-Americans in the United States. By showing Caribbean short films alongside African American films, we highlight those synergies, and also demonstrate to young people what we can achieve when we work together.”

Joseph Schaller, Deputy Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy, speaking about the initiative said: “People of African heritage have made profound contributions in every sphere of human endeavor within the U.S. and across the world. Black History Month recognizes and celebrates these achievements, making the films pertinent to all audiences regardless of ethnicity.”

The partnership will bring five exciting films about the African American experience, and five short films by Caribbean filmmakers to the National Library main branch, Independence Square from February 21- 25 with each day beginning at 9:00 a.m. “To Kill A Mockingbird” is the film adaptation of a CXC English Literature text that focuses on Atticus Finch, a lawyer during the Depression-era South, who defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge and his kids against prejudice. Other films to be shown during the week are “Legacy”, “The Blind Side”, “Freedom Writers” and “Antwone Fisher”. Following the screenings, there will be Talk-Back sessions where students will have an opportunity to discuss topics related to the film. 

The short films to be shown include audience favourite “Trapped in an Elevator”, by Barbadian Rommel Hall, the entertaining Trinidadian film “Directions”, by Renee Pollonais, “Trou d”Air” by Martinican filmmaker Karine Gama, The Wonderful World of Delroy Kincaid by Dominican Powys Dewhurst, an extraordinary animated tale, and “The Legend Buchi Fil” a beautiful historical fable set during slavery, by Surinamese German Gruber.

Russell Watson's A Hand Full of Dirt will open CT2011 on March 16

The CaribbeanTales Film Festival 2011 @ Island Inn, Barbados runs from March 14- 20, 2011 commencing with the Opening Night Film, “A Hand Full of Dirt”, directed by Russell Watson. The festival will also include an Incubator Programme for Caribbean audio-visual content development starting on March 14,  a Symposium,  Marketplace and workshops as well as screenings of films from the Caribbean and diaspora.

~~~ENDS~~~

ABOUT Caribbean Tales Worldwide Distribution Inc ( CTWD)

Established in May 2010, CTWD is a full service marketing and distribution company that acquires exclusive, long term rights to Caribbean-themed content for television, educational, home entertainment and Internet distribution. The company also holds marketing events through CaribbeanTales Festivals and Events, and provides co-production services to producers. 

CTWD is founded by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon. Other principals include creative industries specialist Dr Keith Nurse, economist and businessman Dr Terrence Farrell, media personality and producer Lisa Wickham, and Jamaican filmmaker Mary Wells. CTWD is a member of the Barbados Business Enterprise Corporation that provides Seed and Venture Capital Services.