Barbados FIlm Commission in Focus at CaribbeanTales FIlm Commission

For Immediate Release

OPPORTUNITIES FOR BUSINESS THROUGH FILM COMMISSION TO BE IN FOCUS AT CARIBBEANTALES SYMPOSIUM

Business people, government officials and visiting film commissioners will explore opportunities that the proposed Barbados Film Commission will offer when the third CaribbeanTales Symposium convenes at the Island Inn Resort, on April 13. The event entitled Caribbean Film Commissions: Best Practices and Business Opportunities” is presented by the CaribbeanTales Film Festival Steering Committee and the Barbados Film and Video Association (BFVA) as part of the 2012 Festival which runs from April 10 to 15.

Co-Chairs of the Symposium are Ben Arrindell, former Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association and tax expert and Alison Saunders, communications consultant and filmmaker who is the Chair of the Advocacy Committee of the BFVA.

Arrindell noted that he would be presenting an analysis of the tax incentives that would be offered by the Cultural Industries Bill for the audio-visual sector.

“I am pleased that some members of our business community have already indicated their interest in attending the Symposium since it is vital for our local business persons to learn how they can position their businesses to take advantage of the opportunities that tax incentives and a Barbados Film Commission will offer.” Arrindell said.

“ Moreover, this initiative will provide tremendous opportunities for not just the audio-visual sector of our economy but tourism and business in general, r and business persons must play a role in shaping this new institution and the coming legislation” the former managing partner of Ernst and Young added.

Film Commissioners from the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago and Guadeloupe will present their best practices and lessons learnt from the establishment of their commissions for the benefit of those assembled.  

Symposium Co-Chair, Alison Saunders notes that Film Commissions are critical to promoting a destination as a prime location for film production and stimulating the development of the local industry and service providers.

Apart from audio-visual services, beneficiaries of increased film production include hotels, restaurants, transportation providers, food manufacturers, accountants, legal practitioners along with the other creative sectors such as musicians, actors, dancers, costume designers and set builders.” Saunders said.

The Ministry of Culture, who is spearheading the development of a Film Commission will share its vision for a Commission and also outline plans for the proposed Cultural Industries Fund. There will be round table discussions for business persons and audio-visual practitioners to interface as well as for government entities and audio-visual practitioners to explore how incentives and a commission can move smoothly to reality.

Photos: Ben Arrindell and Alison Saunders - Co-chairs of the CaribbeanTales Synposium.

For further iformation contact:

Alison Saunders, 246-4353423/ 246-2300678 alisonsaunders@sfacommunications.com

View the festival Trailer:

 

EVENT DETAILS

Name: CaribbeanTales 2012 @ Island Inn - FIlm Festival, Symposium, Incubator
 
Date: April 10 - 15, 2012
 
Venue: Venues around Barbados: Island Inn, Aquatic Gap; Frank Collymore Hall, Bridgetown; George Washington House; Olympus Cinemas, Sheraton Mall;
 
Tickets: CaribbeanTales-events.com, and at selected venues around Bridgetown:
Pro Photo (Sheraton Centre)
Mpowered (Mall Internationale)
Big B Supermarket
Super Centre Sunset Crest
 
Media and Information : Frances-Anne Solomon, Director 266-7779; Nancii Yearwood, CaribbeanTales@gmail.com.
 
CaribbeanTales 2012 @ Island Inn, Barbados is sponsored by: André Woodvine, Bajan Reporter, Barbados Film and Video Association, Barbados Today, Barbados Tourism Association, Benjamin Drakes Photography, Blue Waters Productions, Bridgetown Film Academy, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Caribbean Development Bank, Caribbean Media Corporation, Creative Junction, Curtis Padmore, France-Caraïbe Broadcast, Frank Collymore Hall,iRebel Films, Island Inn, Jo Spalberg, National Cultural Foundation, Olympus Cinemas, Rose Rapley, Sea Weaver Productions Inc., SFa Communications,  St Nicholas Abbey Rum, Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation ACP-EU (CTA), Wenty Bowen, wonland design.