Caribe Film Fest Kicks Off for Black History Month Celebrations

Caribe Film Fest Kicks Off for Black History Month Celebrations.

Films, educational workshops and industry networking take center stage at the inaugural Caribe Film Fest, a celebration of film from the Caribbean and Americas.

Miami, FL – Filmmakers celebrating Black History Month and the diversity of the Caribbean and the Americas convene at the first annual Caribe Film Fest scheduled for February 27 and 28 at the Little Haiti Cultural Complex, 212 Northeast 59th Terrace, Miami, FL 33137. A combination of Master Classes, panel discussions, talk back sessions, technical hands on workshops, industry networking and an extensive selection of independent films will provide 2 days of insight and empowerment for the actors and filmmakers who seek to engage in global story telling. Admission with a general all access weekend pass is $20.

“South Florida is a melting pot and home to a cross section of people from the Afro- Caribbean diaspora” said Ghana Wilson, President of Green Gigz, Inc. and one of the producers of the Caribe Film Festival. “They have diverse stories and experiences that can serve as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.” A point shared by her co producers, Michelle McKoy from American Art Initiative and Adrian Allen from SteadyImage, Inc. The festival was created to give those filmmakers and story tellers a platform to express those stories, reinforce positive images and come together in the spirit of community and collaboration to celebrate our differences.

Feature films will include Home Again, (Trinidad) a feature film starring Tatyana Ali and directed by Sudz Sutherland; The Magic City, (USA) a feature film directed by R. Malcolm Jones; Poetry Is an Island Derek Walcott (St. Lucia) directed by Ida Doe; The Cost of Corruption, (Jamaica) documentary directed by Lukkee Chong and Ring Di Alarm by the New Caribbean Cinema series.

Technical workshops will be administered by SAG AFTRA and Cineverse Miami. The later providing professional expertise in “Choosing The Right Camera For Your Indie Film”. Several cameras will be present for a hands on experience demo and discussion around technology and cinematography for independent films.

Caribe Film Fest organizers will also announce the winners of their first International 72 Hour Film Challenge which took place in December 2014. Three teams of local filmmakers were selected as finalists from the more than 25 teams from Europe, The Caribbean and the U.S. who entered the Challenge. Their seven minute films: Rejuvenate – Hidden Element; Need – Lightbeam Films; and I Can’t Breathe – Backstage Films, will be screened on Friday, February 27 between 1:45 pm – 2:45 pm.

Caribe Film Fest is being produced by American Arts Initiative (Caribe Arts Fest), Green Gigz, Inc. (ABFF, Black Movie Awards, Miami Film Life Center) and Steady Image, Inc. (The Heart of Summer, Jamaica Jazz & Blues) in association with Black Visions TV and the Little Haiti Cultural Complex.