REGGAE singer Duane Stephenson believes the inaugural Greater August Town Film Festival (GATFFEST), scheduled for June 20-23, is an opportunity for the community he grew up in, to shed its violent image.

“There is so much of this culture to tell. I hope it will highlight August Town as a cultural destination,” said Stephenson.

The singer/songwriter paid homeage to the St Andrew community on his debut album, From August Town, which was released by VP Records in 2007. He says it is important GATFFEST highlight the area’s diversity.

An initiative of the University of the West Indies Centre and Mona Social Services/University Township Project, GATFFEST will showcase films from local and overseas producers.

The local ‘delegation’ includes August Town residents who graduated from the UWI’s film-making and video production courses.

Their submissions cover topics such as homelessness, relationships, peer pressure, drugs, culture, music, dance, slavery, fear, romance and passion.

“Our programme encourages the trainees to use this medium as a vehicle to document and give passionate voices to their communities even as they educate, inspire and entertain. We work with local film-makers and industry professionals to teach the trainees how media projects can effectively bring about social change,” said professor Ian Boxill, director of the UWI Centre.

Among the local films to be shown are Homelessness Two Pay Checks Away, Fast Lane and August Town Tells A Story. Overseas flicks include The Guy Who Knows Everything and A Finger, Two Dots Then Me.

August Town has made headlines in the past 10 because of internal gang feuds that has resulted in a number of homicides.

The area has a rich cultural heritage. It was the home to spiritual leader Alexander Bedward, who proclaimed he would ascend to Heaven on December 31, 1920. Bedwardites still live in the area.

During the 1970s, August Town had a large Rastafarian community. They included current finance minister Dr Peter Phillips and roots-reggae group Israel Vibration.

In recent years, singer Sizzla has established his Judgement Yard camp there.