Venue: Queen’s Hall
Date: Sep 23, 2023
Time: 6.00 pm–11.00 pm

Screening + DJ + Performer Sekon Sta.

Please be our guest tonight! Use the link below for a complimentary ticket:

Get Your Free Ticket

Our heartfelt thanks for joining us at the Opening Night Gala of ttff/23. Your presence made it a remarkable evening, and we loved connecting and socialising with you and our esteemed international and local film directors, talented actors and actresses.

We hope you enjoyed the premiere of ‘Doubles‘, a captivating feature film by the award-winning director and screenwriter, Ian Harnarine. The gourmet movie menu, accompanied by a delightful welcome drink, was a treat for the senses. Additionally, the live performance by the renowned Soca superstar, Olatunji Yearwood, added a touch of energy and vibes to the night, making it truly unforgettable!

Thank you for being a part of this special event and we look forward to seeing you at this year’s screenings!

Advocating for Women’s Rights and Stopping Domestic Violence in the Caribbean

Join us for an empowering cinematic experience at the i-ADVOCATE Film Block.

All women deserve a world safe from harm. A world that truly embraces their value! We’re dedicated to advocating for Women’s Rights and Stopping Domestic Violence in the Caribbean. This provocative film block was curated with the EFF.

Four impactful films await you:

• Our Menopause
• Cuerpos Vivos (Living Bodies)
• Flesh
• Une Soeur

Date: September 22, 2023
Time: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Venue: MovieTowne, Port of Spain
Tickets: $40 TTD (for all four movies)

Tickets are available at the Movietowne Box Office.

We are honoured to have His Excellency, Peter Cavendish, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Delegation of the European Union who will share the opening remarks. For more information, contact us at 1.868.227.8458.

Let’s make a difference together.

This is your chance to Mix and Mingle with international and local film directors, actors and actresses at the Opening Night Gala of ttff/23. Enjoy our premiere feature film ‘Doubles’ by award-winning director and screenwriter, Ian Harnarine, a gourmet movie menu with a welcome drink and a live performance from none other than Soca superstar, Olatunji Yearwood.

Venue: Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain
Date: September 20, 2023
Time: 6.00 pm–11.00 pm

Book your tickets early to save 14%.

Get Your Tickets Here

You can also see ‘Doubles’ at this year’s Cinema Under the Stars at Naparima Bowl on September 25.

See you there!

We’re thrilled to welcome you to Cinema Under the Stars, proudly sponsored by Shell (Trinidad and Tobago), for two unforgettable evenings on September 24 and 25, 2023.

On September 24, join us on the green space in the Fatima College Courtyard from 6.00 pm–9.00 pm for a special family night featuring the student film ‘Panazz: The Story’. Directed by Adam Bartholomew, a former Fatima College head boy currently pursuing studies at Harvard College and Berklee College of Music, the film provides an intimate glimpse into the Trinidadian jazz steelpan ensemble, Panazz. Delve into the perspectives of key players, including Barry Bartholomew (leader), Dane Gulston, Natasha Joseph, and Donell Thomas, as they share their journey and the groundbreaking music that defines Panazz.

On September 25, experience the magic under the stars in the Amphitheatre of the Naparima Bowl from 6.00 pm–9.00 pm. This family-friendly evening will feature the Caribbean premiere of the feature film ‘Doubles’, directed by Ian Harnarine. Ian, born in Toronto, Canada, and the son of Trinidad & Tobago immigrants, will be present to discuss his directorial experience, joined by leading actor Sanjiv K. Boodhu.

Both evenings promise a fantastic time for families. Remember to bring your blankets, chairs, and coolers. Spaces are limited, so secure your entry pass through our Guest List form.

Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy outstanding films and create lasting memories with loved ones under the starry skies.

Canada-born filmmaker Ian Harnarine returns to the land of his parents with a story to tell.

Bare naked in front of his people.

That’s how filmmaker Ian Harnarine will stand on September 20, when his feature film Doubles premiers at the opening of the trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff).

The 18th edition of the festival, staged by the Filmmakers Collaborative of Trinidad and Tobago (FILMCO), opens on September 20 at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s and runs until September 27.

The story of a Trinidadian street vendor, who must travel to Toronto, Canada and decide if he will help save his estranged father from dying, Doubles, draws intimate parallels to Harnarine’s own life.

Trinidadian-Canadian director Ian Harnarine says he is looking forward to screening his film “Doubles” at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) in September.

The feature film is based on Harnarine’s short film “Double with Slight Pepper” which won the Jury Prize for Best Short Film at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the Genie Award for Best Live Action Short Drama.

The original short film, “Doubles with Slight Pepper,” was executive produced by famed US director and producer Spike Lee.

The feature film, which explores the changing relationship between a father and a son, is set to open at the 18th TTFF at Queen’s Hall on 20 September at 6:30 pm.

“It has been my dream to screen this film for a Trinidadian audience where we filmed, but also where the heart of this project lies. I hope that this will spotlight the talent of everyone involved in this production, especially the actors,” Harnarine stated in a media release.

Images from the trinidad+tobago film festival 2023 Press Conference held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium on the 4th of September, 2023.

THE 18th edition of the TT Film Festival (TTFF) will be launched with the premiere of the film Doubles, and includes several local short films.

Festival organisers the Filmmakers Collaborative of Trinidad and Tobago (FILMCO) announced this on September 4 at the festival launch press conference at the VIP Lounge, Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.

The festival will have its opening night on September 20 at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s, with Doubles by writer/director Ian Harnarine, who was born in Canada to parents from TT. It is a feature-length sequel to his award-winning 2011 short film Doubles with Slight Pepper, which told the story of a young doubles vendor dealing with the return of his estranged father from Canada.

The festival will screen over 100 films from the Caribbean, the Caribbean diaspora and about the Caribbean. FILMCO director Danielle Dieffenthaller said there are only 17 local films in the festival, and explained this was due to a lack of investment in films.

“We’ve seen how lack of investment hurts the festival. And also too, the submissions that we did get, it was basically blood, sweat and tears and nothing else. That’s all they had.”

She said some of the local films were a minute to five minutes in length because that was all the filmmakers could afford.

Two new additions to the festival are the award category for best film by a woman and a film block titled I Advocate, of films on issues related to domestic violence and women’s rights, the latter curated in conjunction with the European Film Festival.

On the new award, Dieffenthaller said there are a lot of women involved in film who are not recognised. She added the block of women’s films will highlight issues normally swept under the carpet, including one called Our Menopause.

“Caribbean people need to tell intriguing stories about their lives and capture their experiences on screens,” stated Lisa Burkett, senior manager of Corporate Sustainability at National Gas Company (NGC), as she delivered remarks at yesterday’s launch of the 18th edition of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (TTFF), at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain.

Burkett emphasised the importance of supporting local film to stimulate economic diversification, while contributing significantly to culture and identity.

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