Jamaica trains lens on Toronto Film Fest

A delegation of at least 20 people, headed by Jamaica’s Film Commissioner Renee Robinson, leaves the island on Wednesday for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in Canada scheduled from September 8 – 18.

The Jamaican party includes representatives from the local film and entertainment fraternities, who will be looking to forge business links.

In a statement, Robinson said the delegation will also be scheduling individual meetings with film fund managers, film financiers, co-production entities, other film commissions, and distribution consultants – to advance current sector development initiatives being undertaken.

“[We are] attending some of the TIFF industry conferences to gain new knowledge in market trends; scouting films that may be suitable to invite to the next staging of the film festival and film market; meeting with festival programmers for niche film recommendations; meeting with experts to vet their suitability to be invited as workshop leaders for the next staging of Jamaica Film Festival; conducting media interviews on filming in Jamaica and participating in the Caribbean Tales market incubator,” the statement read in part.

One of the highlights for the Jamaicans at TIFF is the September 11 premiere of the film King of the Dancehall, a film written and directed by American entertainment personality Nick Cannon, who also stars in the feature. This film was shot on location in Jamaica last year.

Odessa Chambers, who worked as casting director on King of the Dancehall, is also part of the Jamaican delegation.

“I hope everyone will enjoy seeing this dancehall love story on the big screen. It will also be great for them to experience dancehall culture through the eyes of Nick Cannon,” Chambers told the Jamaica Observer.

In addition to Chambers, two other members of the cast – Kimberly Patterson and Killer Bean – will join Cannon in Toronto for the premiere. Patterson has also been selected to participate in the TIFF International Actors Program, which is a one-day intensive for foreign actors with a film in selection. Patterson will be meeting with Hollywood casting agents on September 12.

The Jamaican team to TIFF also includes entertainment insider Kamal Bankay; film producers Paul Bucknor, Noelle Kerr, Janet Morrison, Carleene Samuels; directors Delano Forbes, Michelle Serieux, Adrian Lopez; television executives Claire Grant and Judith Alberga; and actor Tony Hendricks.

Film Commissioner Robinson said based on the large delegation attending, Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) has booked an industry stand on the main promotional floor of the Industry Centre with 37 other international film commissions and trade promotion organisations.

Source: Jamaica Observer

Published Date: September 4th, 2016