“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.
On 05 September, the trinidad+tobago film festival officially launched its 17th edition festival, ttff/22, and return to in-person screenings, to specially invited guests and members of the media.
Among the attendees were the festival’s signature sponsor, the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC). Describing the work of ttff as “extremely valuable and of national importance,” Myles Lewis, NGC’s head of corporate social responsibility, reminded the audience that,
“Since inception, the ttff has given local and regional filmmakers the support they need to create, to tell our stories, and to convert creative energy into dollars and cents – for stakeholders of the industry and for the country as a whole. The ttff’s work has also been instrumental in the preservation of our culture – a patrimony as valuable to our nation as our natural resources.”
Sponsored by NGC, this year’s retrospective recognises and celebrates the pioneering work of Banyan Productions and its founders which has been germane to the development of our local film and television industry.
Lewis expressed pride over the ttff’s work and after 14 years of partnership, said this is why NGC remains committed to help the ttff develop and monetise the country’s creative industry.
Representatives of ttff/22’s leading sponsors Republic Bank Limited (RBL) and Shell Trinidad and Tobago Limited also attended the press conference. RBL’s Baldath Ramkissoon general manager, Group Risk stated, “For over three years, Republic Bank has been partnering with FILMCO and it’s been a rewarding experience thus far.” He went on to say,
“By investing in the development of the local film industry, there is limitless potential for revenue generation, as well as an avenue for economic diversification; both of which are definitely needed in today’s economic climate.”
The trailer for the opening night film, ‘Chee$e’ was well received and the festival trailer generated excitement among the audience. Programmer Danielle Dieffenthaller explained that as in previous years, the ttff/22 will also include many panel discussions and workshops aimed at boosting film quality and enhancing storytelling techniques. Describing the local industry as “abundantly creative,” she further praised it for having technologically savvy people with major ideas, and who were great storytellers.
Kelli-Marie Patel, Shell’s corporate social advisor explained that her company had a rich legacy in the energy sector and to preserve it, Shell continues to invest in the arts, inspiring younger generations and contributing to economic diversification. Patel shared that Shell recognises the capacity of the local arts and film industry to unify communities and promote sustainable development and has sponsored the ttff for the past four years. A leading sponsor, Shell is looking forward to the return of in-person events, and anticipates seeing people and feeling their energy at the Shell Cinema Under the Stars screenings (which will be free to the public) to be held at the NALIS Amphitheatre 24 and 25 September.
Programming partner, the National Library and Information System (NALIS) was represented by Debbie Goodman, manager, corporate communications who also expressed delight at being associated with this year’s festival as it allowed the organisation to serve its role to mandate to ensure “everything produced about Trinidad and Tobago, or by Trinbagonians, regardless of where they may be domiciled is preserved for posterity so that generations to come will know the paths our country has travelled.”
NALIS’ services facilitate “the cultural, educational, social and economic development of the people of Trinidad and Tobago” so the local film industry serves in this regard, adding to nations’ literary and cultural landscape… The material reflects us and causes us to reflect, think and ponder.”
With such exciting partners onboard, ttff has been able to make it through the pandemic and is growing from strength to strength. The event was broadcast by ttff/22 media partner, TTT Limited.
The NGC and ttff Shooting Stars Programme [Video]
As part of ongoing efforts to support and develop a national film industry, The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC) has partnered with the trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff) has on a three-year film development programme, ‘Shooting Stars’, for secondary school students.
The ttff celebrates films from and about the Caribbean and its diaspora, as well as from world cinema, through an annual festival and year- round screenings. In addition, ttff seeks to facilitate the growth of Caribbean cinema by offering a wide-ranging industry programme and networking opportunities.
Following a successful 2013 film festival, the ttff will resume its community film outreach programme, from October 18 to 26. Sponsored by the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC), the Community Cinema Series will give audiences in San Fernando, Couva, La Brea and Tobago the opportunity to experience the mobile cinema experience in their communities, free of charge.
The ttff Community Cinema Series will feature ten films, exploring a diversity of themes and styles. The majority of these films are shorts, while two award-winning features—Pressure by Horace Ové and Rain by Maria Govan—will also be screened.
The Community Cinema Series rolls out on October 18 at the San Fernando Hill Recreation Grounds with Rain, a critically acclaimed family drama from the Bahamas about a promising young sprinter who seeks family roots after a devastating loss. Rain will be preceded by The Fallen People of The Black Land, an animated short film directed by T&T filmmaker Joanne Haynes.
On Saturday 19 October, the Community Cinema Series proceeds to the NGC Couva Joylanders Pan Theatre, where the classic T&T feature The Panman, directed by Kamalo Deen, will be screened. The saga of a young man from an affluent family turning down a scholarship to play pan, The Panman will be preceded by Jab In The Dark, winner of the ttff/13 People’s Choice Award for Best Short Film. The film’s director, Robert Macfarlane, will be present to introduce and discuss his film.
Then on Wednesday 23 October, primary school students and members of the Growing Leaders Foundation Programme will be treated to a series of short films at MovieTowne, Tobago.
The Community Cinema Series concludes on Saturday 26 October at the La Brea Community Centre. Held in association with the La Brea Village Council, this event will feature a screening of Pressure, by acclaimed T&T director Horace Ové. The film traces the journey of a British-born younger son of an immigrant family from Trinidad who finds himself adrift between two cultures. Producer of the film and Programme Director of the ttff, Annabelle Alcazar, will be present for a Q&A session.
“Community Cinema is an integral part of our vision and objectives at the ttff,” said Melvina Hazard, Director of Community Development, ttff. “By taking films and filmmakers directly to communities, we promote the production and appreciation of local and Caribbean films, as well as educate, entertain and inspire audiences, while using film as a platform for social transformation.”
NGC has been a Supporting Sponsor of the ttff since 2009. In 2011, the company began sponsoring community screenings throughout Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking about the 2013 Community Cinema Series, Wynda Chandler, Head of Community Relations at NGC, noted, “When we considered the power of film to reinforce the identity of a people by giving visual expression to ideas, NGC took the leap to contribute to mining a new area of national and international talent.
“With the introduction in 2011 of community screenings, NGC was happy to get the involvement of residents of satellite districts who, owing to their distance from MovieTowne—the hub of the Festival—may have found difficulty in attending screenings. NGC is also happy to involve its employee volunteers who serve as hosts in the various communities.”
Admission to the ttff Community Cinema Series is free. All screenings but the Tobago screening will start at 7pm and refreshments will be on sale. North Eleven, the ttff’s Official Screen Partner, will facilitate the technical aspects of the series.
