the people have spoken!

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD, 29 September 2021 – Congratulations are in order for Trinidadian filmmaker Ayana Harper, who has won the 2021 trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff/21) People’s Choice Award. The results for the award were announced after voting and the last day of festival screenings on 28 September 2021.

Harper’s film The Interview, which depicts the challenges of a budding filmmaker struggling to find the right interviewee for a project, received the highest number of votes by ttff/21 audiences out of twenty-five screenings directed by Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) filmmakers.

The first runner-up for this year’s award was The Forgotten Boys – a documentary by director Alexandra Warner. The second runner-up was the student film, Going Knowhere, by Darielle Allard – both Trinidad and Tobago filmmakers.

The ttff reprised the People’s Choice Award category to help audiences positively impact the trajectories of T&T films and filmmakers. The 2021 People’s Choice Award winner, will receive a trophy and lots of kudos!

and the ttff/21 winners are…

PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD, 28 September 2021 – On Monday 27 September 2021, winning films from Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) and the region, were announced at a virtual awards ceremony livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube. Awards were given in 8 film categories, and all the award-winning films are available for viewing today (28 September) at ttfilmfestival.com.

“Best T&T Film” was awarded to the director Nicola Cross, for her short doc, Becky, which is an unexpectedly uplifting story about a Kenyan woman’s resilience on her journey to feeling complete.

Trinidad-based director, Andreas Antonopoulos won “Best New Media Film” – for his work, Rhythms of Trinidad, which he created, using found archive, in collaboration with the National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago; the film looks at history through movement and production of space. 

Out of 13 student films screened at ttff/21, Juana, by Dominican director José Antonio Martínez, emerged as the winner of “Best Student Film”. Young and aspiring filmmakers and industry professionals also played a key role in judging films in competition at this year’s ttff. The award for “Best Film as selected by the Youth Jury” was juried by young film jurors under the mentorship of seasoned film critic BC Pires, and was presented to Olivier Sagne for his film Lovena.

“Best Narrative Film Short” went to Brazilian directors Mariah Teixeira and Nanda Félix, for their film Rafameia (Riff-Raff)

Perfume de Gardenias, by Puerto Rican director Macha Colón, won “Best Narrative Feature”. Perfume de Gardenias is a dark comedy that tells the story of an elderly woman in Puerto Rico, who is widowed and crafts a beautiful, custom-made funeral for her husband. This leads her into a profession of designing custom, idiosyncratic funerals for her ailing neighbors.

The award for “Best Documentary Short” went to Audrey Jean-Baptiste and Maxime Jean-Baptiste from French Guiana, for Écoutez le battement de nos images (Listen to the Beat of Our Images), while Cuban filmmaker, Marcel Beltran, won “Best Documentary Feature” with his film, Option Zero

Remarks were delivered at the ttff/21 virtual awards ceremony by Derwin Howell, Chairman of FILMCO, and awards were presented by Myles Lewis, head of corporate social responsibility and NGC, Kelli-Marie Patel from Shell Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. and Republic Bank Ltd.

The 2021 trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff/21) is given signature sponsorship by the National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NGC), leading sponsorship by Shell Trinidad and Tobago Limited and Republic Bank Limited (RBL), with National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts as contributing sponsors. Programming partners are FilmTT, the U.S. Embassy in Port of Spain, FIFAC and Cinemartinique.

new media is online + in person!

The ttff/21 New Media programme comprises avant garde and experimental film and video works from artists and filmmakers in the Caribbean and its diaspora. New Media works are available to view online, free of charge, on a scheduled basis (click the individual titles below for screening dates) from 24-28 September.

We’re also planning two nights of outdoor projections, on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 September. Take a drive or wander by Granderson Lab on Erthig Road in Belmont, to view the projections in real life. Live projections will run for approximately 90 minutes from 6-8.30pm, both nights. Please make sure to follow all government Covid guidelines. Make sure to wear your mask and to social distance.

new media film listing

people’s choice is back!

We’re excited to announce that there’ll be a people’s choice award winner for best Trinidad and Tobago film at ttff/21!

Voting is simple! Watch your chosen T&T film at ttfilmfestival.com. At the end of the film, a notification will appear on screen, letting you know if the film is eligible for audience awards. If it’s eligible, click either ‘like’ or ‘dislike’ to register your vote! The winner will be announced at the end of the festival, and will receive a trophy.

Please take a minute to vote on the T&T films – people’s choice/ audience awards can make a big, positive difference to the trajectory of a film or filmmaker!

Get voting!

Here’s are the films vying for people’s choice:

infosession: introducing locarno film festival’s ‘open doors’ programme

We’re delighted to be facilitating an InfoSession with the renowned Locarno Film Festival on their upcoming ‘Open Doors’ programme, a development initiative that shines a light on emerging filmmaking countries and contributes to their sustainable growth. For the next cycle of the ‘Open Doors’ programme, the focus will be on Latin America and the Caribbean. With 22 countries ready to be part of the section, Locarno’s Sophie Bourdon notes: “20 years after the launch of Open Doors and its first focus on Cuba, we are excited to explore today’s vibrant cinematographic scene of such a diverse region.”

Please note, this is a closed Zoom session, so pre-registration is required.

tuesday 28 september
11.30am-12.30pm EST
via zoom
register here: https://bit.ly/ttff21industry

22 countries

The 2022-2024 cycle will focus on the LAC region, championing film projects, talents and producers from Central America (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua), the Caribbean Islands (Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Grenada, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) and South America (Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela).

365 days

Alongside Open Doors coproduction Hub, producers Lab and screenings taking place during the Locarno Film Festival in August, the initiative offers a year-long online program, with its Hotline and Consultancy services, as well as its knowledge-sharing and networking web platform ToolBox.

One global community

Thanks to its two successive cycles in Asia, Open Doors has developed a strongly collaborative and like-minded community of more than 1’000 talents that is now curious to connect with their peers from the LAC region. “Despite different local specificities, filmmakers from all over the world have much more in common than what they think. With the support of digital tools such as the ToolBox, they can now easily connect with each other, share experiences, and explore collaboration opportunities beyond their borders. With our community going global, we think Open Doors can bring hope to professionals for a better future despite the very challenging times they are all going through”.

One Vision

The new Open Doors focus allows Locarno Pro to join forces and to fully embrace Latin America and the Caribbean. By exchanging views, discoveries and programs that will enhance international visibility and strengthen collaborations at the heart of the Locarno Film Festival, doors will be also open to more structured film industries such as Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Argentina and Chile.

A unique initiative

Organized from the outset jointly with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the Open Doors sidebar section is designed to assist and spotlight directors and their films from independent cinemas in the Global South and East. Open Doors also contributes to the diversity of the international filmmaking scene, offering space and visibility to diversified perspectives and debates. Open Doors is organized by Locarno Pro as part of the Locarno Film Festival and enjoys support from and collaborations with numerous European and international organizations.

about Locarno Film Festival

Throughout its 73-year history, the Locarno Film Festival has occupied a unique position in the landscape of the major film festivals. Every August, for eleven days the Swiss-Italian town of Locarno, right in the heart of Europe, becomes the world capital of auteur cinema. Thousands of film fans and industry professionals meet here every summer to share their thirst for new discoveries and a passion for cinema in all its diversity. In Locarno they find a quality program, rich, eclectic, surprising, and where emerging talent rubs shoulders with prestigious guests.

meet ttff/21 festival artist, sheena rose

The trinidad+tobago film festival is delighted to have Sheena Rose as the festival artist for our 16th edition. Her work, ‘Monolithic’, will represent this year’s festival on the festival guide, poster and buttons. Mikayla Almandoz spoke with the Barbadian visual artist to learn more about her work and her artistry. 

ttff what was the inspiration behind your artwork, ‘Monolithic’, which is representing the festival this year?

SR I love Pop Art, I cannot help to see myself as a Caribbean Pop Artist. I love retro commercials, posters, old magazine and photos. They feel nostalgic and make me very happy inside. I wanted to recreate these found images and collage them into a painting. I was really curious what would happen if I glued these three women, and added them to a vibrant, loud living room. 

ttff how do you view ttff and its role within the region?

SR TTFF is making a great contribution to the region and the global space. We get to see ourselves, our stories, captured in film and moving images. I love to see filmmakers from the Caribbean who are proud and excited to show their films and stories, and I too am excited because I want to see our stories; how did the filmmakers portray us. It is very important to have a space like this to see and show ourselves.

ttff who/ what are some of your influences and inspirations?

SR I have tons of influences and inspiration for my work! At first, whenever I was asked that question in interviews, I would have a list of names. But as time goes by, it’s getting harder to pinpoint. I am inspired by all kinds of passionate creativity such as the work of writers, dancers, poets, filmmakers, cinematographers, musicians, sound engineers, costume makers, etc. I love creative people that take risks and are unapologetic.

ttff you are a multi-disciplinary artist, doing paintings, drawings, performance art, new media, public art and mixed media, what drew you to all of these avenues of creation?

SR I went to Barbados Community College from 2003 – 2008 and honestly, I wanted to be a cartoonist. During that time the college encouraged us to work on different materials. At first, I was very miserable, because I just wanted to draw, but after a while, I learned to enjoy many techniques such as printmaking, filmmaking, figure drawing, photography, graphics, etc. They were very challenging at first, but as I grew as an artist, they taught me to be flexible and curious. In 2014, I received a Fulbright Scholarship to do my MFA in Studio Art at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to continue the idea of working in different media. It felt great to work in many materials during and after my studies. I also created more performance art, new media art, and installation art. 

ttff what are you currently working on?

SR I am currently working on many projects such as pen and ink drawings, colorful cityscapes, hand-stitched mixed media costumes, and paintings. I am continuing the idea of asking myself, who am I? What or how do I contribute to the space? During this time, I feel as though these many projects are helping me find myself. The costumes/ performance art feels like my paintings and drawings are alive and in our world. The drawings feel like a diary, the paintings feel like a bizarre mind scape I occupy.

ttff you seem to always be busy learning a new skill, from swimming to making wigs, where do you find the motivation to keep expanding?

SR Well, since the pandemic started, I told myself, go and learn some skills, this is the time to discover more of yourself. We have a lot more time on our hands. Instead of buying a wig, learn to make one. Instead of buying herbs in the supermarket, learn to be a gardener/ farmer. I also see these extra skills as a benefit to my art and my process of thinking. 

ttff you mentioned that you can get impatient and not trust the process when you’re working on multiple ideas, how do you navigate that?

SR I find I am getting better at not being so impatient, especially now that I am doing yoga and meditation daily. I was getting tired of the process because I wanted to quickly see the result of the work and hope for the best. However, I recently started enjoying the process a bit more. I feel as though I am discovering more about myself, and becoming excited with the transformation of the work. I am asking myself more questions such as why am I doing this again? Should I change this colour, perhaps I can add or take it away? I always remember Picasso and Dali quotes, which help me to be patient and understanding:

“I begin with an idea, and then it’s something else” Pablo Picasso

“Have no fear of perfection, you’ll never reach it.” Salvador Dali

ttff what are your thoughts on being ttff/21’s festival artist?

I am smiling from ear to ear. I feel honoured and excited that I was selected to be the ttff/ 21 Festival artist! I am feeling great that you cannot miss my work. It is the poster and part of the face of the festival this year! I love that visual art is also acknowledged in the festival. It also makes me think of powerful visuals. I’m very happy with how my work is exposed to viewers, art lovers, film lovers, and anyone who has a device in their hand.

You can learn more about Sheena Rose’s work by visiting her site:
www.sheenaroseart.com

Meet the Youth Jury for ttff/21

The trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff) is thrilled to announce the selected jury members for the 2021 edition of the “Best Film as decided by a Youth Jury” award. The six selected jury members will have the opportunity to view the six selected films in competition and then work together to choose this year’s winner.

Applications were open to young people interested in developing a critical appreciation for independent film. Prospective jury members were asked to write an essay of no more than 450 words, saying what their favourite movie is and why. Of the many applications received the most endearing and expressive essays were narrowed down and six youths were successfully chosen as the jurors, including one alternate.

In alphabetical order, here are the selected jury members:

Angelina Ramdhan, 20, University of the West Indies
Chelsea Bishop, 16, Necessary Arts Drama School
Efua Hayfron-Benjamin, 16, Necessary Arts Drama School
Joel Philip, 20, University of the West Indies
Saidah Joseph, 17, Holy Faith Convent, Penal
Victoria Koylass, 18, St. Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain

These selected jury members will meet online during the ttff/21, under the guidance of experienced film critic B.C. Pires, evaluating and discussing a selection of films dealing with themes and issues affecting young people. While Pires will be guiding them, he will have no influence at all regarding their choice of the winning film.

After viewing all the films in competition, the ttff/21 Youth Jury will choose the winning film and the director of this film will receive the Best Film as decided by a Youth Jury” award for 2021!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE FILMS IN COMPETITION.

misogyny and the male gaze

Thurs 23 Sept, ​​1.00–2.30 p.m. (est)
location: Facebook Live, YouTube Live, ttfilmfestival.com
tickets: free
moderator: BC Pires
panellists: Nicola Cross, Ryan Lee, Sue Ann Barratt

For almost all of its history, men have dominated the film and TV industry. The representation of women on screen and behind the scenes is a direct corollary of that domination. But the global MeToo movement has brought these inequalities into sharp focus. This notwithstanding, the famed Bechdel test is still consistently failed, as women are presented through the lens of the male gaze. In this 90-minute session, panellists will take an in-depth look into the problematics of the ubiquitous male gaze in contemporary and Caribbean cinema; they’ll discuss how this shapes societal perception and the possible routes to transformation.

cultural appropriation and the Caribbean space

cultural appropriation and the Caribbean space
Sun 26 Sept, ​​10.00–11.30 a.m. (est)
location: Facebook Live, YouTube Live, ttfilmfestival.com
tickets: free
moderator: Franka Philip
panellists: Alpha Obika, Abeo Jackson

Because of our multicultural history, the Caribbean has evolved to become a region overflowing with diversity and creativity. While there are similarities between the nations, each country has its own uniquely expressed culture and entanglement of traditions and practices brought by different settlers, whether free, enslaved or indentured. We can be protective of the artistic forms and practices that we’ve developed over the years because they tell a story of our roots, evolution and possible future. But, given that we are a region built on “appropriation”, whether forced or organic, can we argue against cultural appropriation? In this 90-minute conversation, journalist Franka Philip will delve into the effects of cultural appropriation across the Caribbean while giving her own insight into the topic.

understanding risk in filmmaking

Thurs 23 Sept, ​​10.00–11.30 a.m. (est)
location: Facebook Live, YouTube Live, ttfilmfestival.com
tickets: free
moderator: Jason Lindsay
panellists: Kareem Mortimer, Lorraine O’Connor, Michael Mooleedhar

Understanding the creative side of producing a great film is not always enough to ensure success. Investors need to feel confident in the filmmaker’s ability to return a profit. Understanding the business side of filmmaking is a valuable asset when approaching investors for your film. This knowledge can also help to secure you a continued career in the industry. This 90-minute discussion will address both the filmmaker and the investor’s point of view on “risk in filmmaking”. The experienced panel will give insights from these different perspectives on how successful filmmakers turn investments into profit and explain why it’s so important to take the risk and invest.