Legendary Jamaican talents to be honoured, remembered at the 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival’s Night of Tribute

Toronto – July 3, 2008

A number of renowned Jamaican filmmakers and actors will be honoured at a special awards ceremony on Saturday, July 12, 2008 as part of the 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival. Founded by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, this year’s festival, entitled Fokus Jamaica, will highlight the works of Jamaican artists and celebrate the island’s internationally recognized culture. CaribbeanTales’Night of Tribute honourees and award recipients includeLeonie Forbes, Perry Henzell, Clement Virgo, Ras Kassa, Franklyn “Chappy” St. Juste and Peter Williams. The ceremony takes place at River Restaurant (413 Roncesvalles Ave.) at 5:30 p.m.

Beloved long-time Jamaican actress Leonie Forbes will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, which she will accept in person. Known as Jamaica’s First Lady of Theatre and Film, Forbes’ extensive film and television career have made her a cultural icon with fans all over the world. She has graced the silver screen in major Hollywood pictures, performed in dozens of theatrical productions, and worked as a radio broadcaster and programmer in Jamaica. Forbes’ film and television credits include: Shattered Image, Milk and Honey, Passion and Paradise, What My Mother Told Me,Children of Babylon and A Winter Tale.

Also receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award is famed Jamaican cinematographer and director Franklyn St. Juste. “Chappy”, as he is popularly known, is one of the most experienced cinematographers working in the Caribbeantoday. Chappy has worked alongside great filmmakers like Horace Ove and Lennie Little-White, and on a number of films including The Harder They Come, King Carnival andChildren of Babylon.

In addition to Forbes and St. Juste, CaribbeanTales will pay tribute to another trailblazer in Jamaican cinema – the late Jamaican filmmaker Perry Henzell. Made famous for directing, producing and co-authoring Jamaica’s first feature film The Harder They Come, Henzell will be remembered by his fans and peers when the festival screens his film at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 12.

Henzell is to be honoured with a Pioneer Award during the tribute ceremony. His award will be accepted by friend and colleague St. Juste, who worked closely with the late director on The Harder They Come.

World-renowned film, television and music video director Ras Kassa will also be at the festival to receive his Innovation Award. A widely respected industry professional, Kassa earned international recognition for directing Damian Marley’sWelcome to Jamrock music video in 2005. Today, Kassa’s resume boasts nearly 100 music videos, in addition to establishing Jamaica’s cable music station Music Plus and his successful production company Guru Films.

Other award recipients will include Jamaican-Canadian film and television director Clement Virgo and Jamaican-Canadian film and television actor Peter Williams.

Virgo’s selected directorial credits include Soul Food, ReGenesis, Lie With Me, and most recently, the Genie Award nominated Poor Boy’s Game. For his work, Virgo will be awarded with the Jamaica National Building Society Award for Achievement in Cinematic Art.

Peter Williams’ acting credits include the Gemini-nominated television series Neon Rider, Catwoman, Da Vinci’s Inquest,The Chronicles of Riddick, Stargate SG-1 and Dead Like Me. He most recently starred as Gene Wright in Solomon’s award-winning feature A Winter Tale, for which the Montreal Gazette dubbed him “one of the country’s finest actors”.CaribbeanTales will acknowledge Williams’ work with anExcellence in Dramatic Performance award.

* * *
Festival Founder Frances-Anne Solomon is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, director and producer. She is the President and Artistic Director of the two companies she founded: Leda Serene Films and CaribbeanTales.

The 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival is generously sponsored by: Jamaica National Building Society, Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum, TD Bank Financial Group, Ontario Arts Council, The Art of Catering, SUN TV, Victoria Mutual Building Society, Flow 93.5FM, Now Magazine, b-side, Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto, Big It Up, CKLN 88.1FM, CHRY 105.5FM, CIUT 89.5FM, The Caribbean Camera, We Magazine, Canadian Immigrant Magazine,Caribbean Uprising International, The Ethnic Umbrella and Ackee Tree Jamaican Cuisine.