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Monday, May 21, 2007 – St. Lucia is currently playing host to the
first ever Travelling Caribbean Film Showcase, to run until the 25th of May.
The event, which aims to contribute to the development of cinema and audio
visuals in the Caribbean, is an initiative of the Cuban Institute of Arts and
Cinematography Industries and the Ministry of Culture of Jamaica, with support
from UNESCO.
The showcase, which consists of the latest cinema and video production of
fiction, documentary and animation by Caribbean creators, was officially
launched at the Alliance Francaise De Sainte-Lucie on May 17th.
Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO and member of the
National Coordinating committee of the Film Festival Paule Turmel John said, “It
is intended to contribute to the preservation of the memory of Caribbean audio
visuals in all its diversity. This show case gives us the opportunity to learn
and appreciate what is being done here in the Caribbean in the film industry. An
industry faced with major challenges—lack of funds, scarcity of technical
expertise and so on.”
Organisers say the film festival is a fresh alternative to the overwhelming
bombardment by American cinema.
Cuban Ambassador to St. Lucian Hugo Ruiz Cabrera expressed the hope the Public
would come out in large numbers to support the work of fellow Caribbean film
makers.
He said, “This film festival will allow the screening of 30 films from 15
different countries, which were selected from a pool of more than 100 films
submitted by 21 countries. The selected films represent an expression of the
diversity, reality and wealth of our cultural values.”
With the launch of the initiative, the showcase will travel the length and
breadth of the nation, conducting free matinees to primary and secondary schools
and the general public.
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