Closer ties between the two organisations—and films festivals in the Caribbean in general—are expected to result after the Trinidad+Tobago film festival (ttff) and the Dominican Republic Global Film Festival (DRGFF) signed a partnership agreement recently.
The agreement was signed at the just-concluded Regional and International Film Festival of Guadeloupe (FEMI), between Annabelle Alcazar, the ttff’s Programme Director, and Omar de la Cruz, Director of the DRGFF.
The signing of the agreement also brings into existence the Caribbean Film Festivals Network, which is intended to bring together all film festivals in the region for the purpose of cultural cooperation and sharing of resources, as well as representing the Caribbean internationally where appropriate.
As part of the agreement, the ttff and the DRGFF agree to the listing of any films from the respective countries at each other’s festival as being presented in association with the DRGFF or the ttff, as appropriate. Further, each festival will be able to recommend films for showing at the other festival.
There will also be a festival personnel exchange, where one representative from each festival will visit the other festival every year and be included on a discussion panel and/or a competition jury.
“The signing of this agreement is significant because, as ttff already has one with FEMI in Guadeloupe, it means that three of the major Caribbean film festivals, each representing a different language base, will work closely together in many areas,” said Dr Bruce Paddington, Founder and Festival Director, ttff. “This can only benefit the local and regional film industry.”
Image: Annabelle Alcazar, right, Programme Director, ttff and Omar de la Cruz, Director, Dominican Republic Global Film Festival
