The Barbados Independent Film Festival is back this year and the incoming director is promising an exciting experience for patrons and lovers of unique and thought-provoking independent filmmaking.
Speaking during Thursday’s official launch at the Local & Co. in Speightstown, festival director De Carla Applewhaite noted that the seven-year-old festival will continue to be a supportive ground for independent film to flourish.
“I do hope that under my direction, the festival establishes itself as a long-stay international film festival lucky enough to call Barbados home. It’s the leading festival of film in Barbados, rivalling the offers of T&T (Trinidad and Tobago), inspiring the region’s motion picture artists to be naturally in the list of excellent storytellers; to encourage Barbadians and film enthusiasts from far and wide to make their way to Barbados for the enjoyment of the daring and untold themes eloquently captured by independent cinema,” she said.
Applewhaite added that Barbadian filmmakers will continue to play a major role in the festival.
“We always have top Barbadian filmmakers, and we tend to have filmmakers from around the world and when you see filmmakers from all around the world come together, the unique celebration, the talks, they all seem to bond.
“When you see that kind of thing it’s always very exciting when you think of bringing independent cinema together.
In keeping with their aim of involving more Barbadians in the many opportunities the festival provides, Applewaite revealed that the organisation has partnered with the Ministry of Education as part of its Give Back Programme initiative.
“I am pleased to announce that the festival, as a charity, has been given the green light to join the Give Back Programme managed by the Ministry of Education. This gives the opportunity for students in the arts, those doing event management, entertainment management, the BFA Creative Arts between the Barbados Community College and the University of the West Indies Errol Barrow Centre, to come and join the team, and learn from us. It’s a fantastic place where you can meet other creatives, and to give back to the field.”
This year’s festival runs from March 15 to 19. (SB)
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