Expect the unexpected at RFF
EXPECT the unexpected. That is the ‘warning’ from Barbara Blake-Hannah, chairman of the Reggae Film Festival which takes place on April 17-21 at the Red Bones Blues Cafe in Kingston.
Blake-Hannah says she is particularly excited that the Marley film will premiere at the five-day event.
“Our prayers seem to have been answered that the Marley film world premiere will officially be a part of the Reggae Film Festival,” she told Splash. “I was PRO (public relations officer) for the world premiere of The Harder They Come 40 years ago, so it’s fitting that life has come full circle in Jamaica’s 50th anniversary (of independence from Britain).”
Blake-Hannah said the Reggae Film Festival will be attended by African-American actor Giancarlo Esposito, promoting the film Gospel Hill which stars Samuel L Jackson, Angela Bassett and Danny Glover.
Esposito, best known for his roles in several of director Spike Lee’s movies, also stars in Gospel Hill which he directed and produced for his Quiet Hands production company.
Films from Jamaica, Britain, Canada and the United States, Iran, Serbia and Ethiopia will be shown.
Cameron Bailey, deputy director of the Toronto International Film Festival, will act as chief judge for the RBC Make A Film In 24 Hours competition. Top prize is $50,000 and a trip to the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival, which takes place from September 19 – October 2 with second place getting $30,000 and $20,000 for third.
Organisers of the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival will bring a programme of seven Caribbean films to be shown during a special programme at the University of West Indies’ Mona campus.
The Jamaican films include Blind Shotta, an urban comedy, and We The Ragamuffin set in a Jamaican community in London. With Fidel, Whatever Happens, a documentary on Cuba by noted Serbian director Goran Radovanovic, is another interesting production that will be shown.
Other features are a tribute to Jamaica 50 in film which honours film-maker Chris Browne. Seminars on scriptwriting, acting and production are scheduled, as well as a children’s programme of Jamaican films starring Elise Kelly, Freddie McGregor, Judy Mowatt and Storm Saulter.
The Reggae Film Festival is presented by the Jamaica Film Academy. Directors are Carl Bradshaw, chairman; Peter Gittins, Cordel Green, Rick Elgood, George Tait, and Kevin Jackson.