Local films achieving success here and abroad

In spite of the fact that the local film industry is still in its early developmental stages, film makers, both young and mature have been achieving some success with the films that they produce locally, regionally and internationally.

This is according to the Minister of Culture, Sports and Youth, Stephen Lashley who delivered remarks at the opening of the 9th European Film Festival at the Olympus Theatres in Sheraton Centre on Wednesday night.

He said that these filmmakers are certainly taking advantage of any and every opportunity that they can get to showcase their films to a varied audience across the world.

“The film industry in Barbados is in its infancy. However, we are already seeing its potential. Our young and not so young filmmakers are exploiting the sector with some success as their films are being shown locally, regionally and internationally on television as well as in cinemas.”

Lashley outlined the film ‘Chrissy’ and the television hit series, ‘Keeping up with the Joneses,’ which was later made into a movie as prime examples of Barbadians films which have been screened to local, regional and international audiences to critical acclaim.

“It is reported that in 2014 Chrissy,’ the movie produced by Step By Step Productions was shown to sold-out audiences in Barbados and premiered in Jamaica to a standing ovation. This film was also shown in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, London, Birmingham and Antigua. Another local production entitled ‘Keeping up with the Joneses,’ was a television series in 2011 and a movie in 2013. It was shown in the United Kingdom.”

The Minister of Culture added that the progress of this sector has been greatly enhanced by the learning institutions that ensure that they equip the next generation with the know how to take over this industry from current filmmakers and keep it going in the future.

“The growth of the film industry in Barbados has been greatly assisted by the opportunities afforded for training through institutions such as the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination, University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus. The students in the 2017 Graduating Class of the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Programme at this institution produced and presented several successful films under the banner “Capstone Thesis Production, University of the West Indies”. These were shown to live audiences on May 18th and 19th at the Centre.” (PJT)