KINGSTON, Jamaica —Following its recent International Film Business workshop series, the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) says it will be starting a month of activities to promote the island’s film industry by leading a delegation to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on Friday, September 8.  

A release from JAMPRO today said the mission to TIFF will focus on building global business relationships and helping the delegation gain exposure in the international market. The mission also includes attendance to the Caribbean Tales Film Festival and Caribbean Tales Incubator programme, which will feature five Jamaican films, and has selected two Jamaican practitioners to the Incubator. The Incubator culminates in a live pitch to win a US$30,000 grant to develop a new TV series with FLOW.

“We’re thrilled to be leading the national delegation again this year to the Toronto International Film Festival, which is known among the top five film festivals in the world. It is crucial that our content creators get exposure to the international business behind the film industry, and become more experienced in the global marketplace,” said JAMPRO’s Film Commissioner, Renee Robinson.

Robinson explained that it was critical for Jamaican filmmakers to go out to market to not only promote films for sale, but to get a better understanding of the demands of the international film industry while collaborating with regional content producers.

“TIFF is an annual meeting ground for over 5000 industry delegates – buyers, sales agents, distributors, financiers, and producing partners. Attendance at TIFF is about more than just screening the latest film; it is an opportunity to build fluidity with international best practices and foster stronger future partnerships,” she said.

“Of note for JAMPRO this year, is that the film commissioner from Trinidad and Tobago, Nneka Luke, will also be joining our delegation, in a show of regional collaboration which will hopefully result in us attending more international markets together to best represent the region as a whole,” Robinson added.

JAMPRO President, Diane Edwards, explained that the mission to TIFF was part of the Agency’s execution of the National Export Strategy, which identifies the creative industries as a key area for development for export.