CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) – St Lucia is preparing to stage the first ever Latin American and Caribbean Cultural Festival early this month with organisers hoping that it will become a major event on the Tourism and Cultural calendar of the Eastern Caribbean.

The festival to be held from November 9 – 13, is being organised by the Ministry of Tourism, Heritage and Creative Industries, the Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) and the St Lucia Audiovisual and Film Association, in collaboration with the Argentine, Brazilian, Cuban, Mexican and Venezuelan Embassies accredited in St Lucia.

According to a Government announcement the main event, “Latin American Cinema”, will entail the showing of two renowned and/ or awarded films from each participating country, intended for children and general audiences.

Prior to the screening of the second Latin American film, there will be the presentation of audiovisuals and short films produced by St Lucians, for the duration of the festival.

This initiative emerged as a result of the process of exchange and collaboration with the Latin American Diplomatic Corps in St Lucia, in hopes of sharing the cultural roots and manifestation among the peoples of both regions.

The statement noted that the inaugural festival intends to cultivate an appreciation for the enormous diversity of Latin American and Caribbean cinematography which has had a tremendous impact internationally, because of the unique techniques and interpretations reflected in the quality and production of those films.