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The trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff) has been named one of the 25 coolest film festivals in the world.
This accolade has been bestowed upon the Festival by Movie Maker, an American magazine dedicated to the art and business of cinema.
Founded in 1993, Movie Maker has a readership of 160,000 and its website has approximately one million unique visitors a year.
A panel of seven judges comprised of international film industry professionals put together this exclusive list.
According to an article published in Movie Maker on 17 November 2014, “Uniformly excellent cinema” is one thing that all 25 festivals on the list have in common, as well as “genuinely thoughtful, inspiring panels and moviemaker education events.”
Movie Maker also notes that these festivals “elevate their communities throughout the year.”
The citation—in full—for the ttff reads as follows:
“’A hip and trendy place’ with a laid-back vibe, our panelist enjoyed ‘liming (i.e. hanging out) with industry and locals at the bars in Port of Spain after an afternoon and evening of screenings.’ Sounds like paradise. The festival ‘supports the Caribbean filmmaking scene as a whole, as well as individual filmmakers, extending its coolness beyond borders.’ Extracurriculars include a workshop on film appreciation, and an industry networking event billed as group speed dating.”
Bruce Paddington, Founder and Festival Director, ttff, said, “We are very proud to be named one of the 25 coolest film festivals in the world. We have a fantastic team who include young and energetic interns and volunteers and, of course, a dedicated staff who not only love film and Caribbean cinema, but are determined to develop the film industry across the region and put Caribbean cinema on the world map.
“With the help of our sponsors and partners we have seen the Festival grow and become a highly respected organisation in the region and beyond. And, of course, we can never forget the filmmakers whose work and dedication to their craft make all this possible.”
The Movie Maker accolade comes as the ttff gets set to celebrate its tenth anniversary in 2015. Plans for the ttff/15 include the launch of a Caribbean Film Mart + Regional Film Database. This project is being made possible with the financial contribution of the European Union (European Development Fund) and the assistance of the ACP Group of States.
To read the original Movie Maker article, go here.
