Create more films

Barbadian filmmakers are being encouraged to create movies that highlight the lived experiences of persons from the Caribbean.

Such advice came from Minister of Creative Economy, Culture and Sports, John King as he addressed attendees at the Barbados Independent Film Festival (BIFF) on Tuesday.

This is the 4th annual staging of BIFF. Specially invited guests at the Walled Garden Theatre, Barbados Museum and Historical Society on the night were privy to the premiere of the 2019 Collaboration Grant short film “Glorious Uncertainty: The Untold Story of The Barbados Cricket League” by filmmakers, Susanne Rostock (international) and Danny J. Weekes (local). This was followed by “Joseph” directed and produced by Marcia and Dave Weekes.

“I said it many years ago that the Caribbean is going to be the next place that the entire world is going to be looking to for their stories and that we have wonderful stories to tell. Not just stories based on the experience of those of us of African descent but there are stories of those of Scottish, Irish, East Indian and so many stories that we have to tell. I want to challenge our filmmakers to get out there, find these stories, tell these stories and make the world that we live in a much better place – much more informed place.”

King commended the creators of the night’s featured films on their work. He also said his Ministry will do what it can to make it “possible for some persons in this country who we referred to as the vulnerable people who probably will never get a chance to go to the movies to actually see this film.”

Also addressing the audience on the opening night was BIFF’s Co-Founder, Sir Trevor Carmichael. He said the Festival had some similarities to the EKO International Film Festival where they both have featured and short films as well as short and long documentaries. He also said like EKO, there was no segment in animation. However, he stated there was potential for such to be included in future festivals.

Additionally, addressing the audience was BIFF’s Co-Founder, Jennifer Smith who encouraged everyone to support the “Festival, our filmmakers and the growth of the creative industry by telling their friends, their family, their business associates about it and encouraging them to come to not just one film but as many as they possibly can.”