Non-profit opens a door for young film-makers

The Digital Film Institute (DFI), over the last four years, has provided an opportunity for young film-makers to showcase their short films which they direct, produce and write. To date, DFI has assisted over 500 film-makers.

Co-Founder Rose-Ann Clement told Newsday that the DFI is the only non-profit training academy that concentrates specifically in delivering cost effective training in film, broadcast and digital media.

Located on the Eastern Main Road in Mount Hope, DFI was founded in 2009 and offers training from industry experts with over 20 years of combined experience in the film industry. The organisation also offers full and partial scholarships to deserving young persons in the country and is involved in community outreach programmes with at-risk youths.

Recently, the institute held a screening for young film-makers at the Trinidad Theatre Workshop (TTW) in Port-of-Spain. Sydney Ledger, an upcoming film-maker and former student of DFI, was one of the film-makers at the workshop whose short film was featured.

Ledger’s short film, “The Lady from Ivory Road”, was based on a true story from her childhood.

“Growing up, I was always an avid reader [and] my imagination would always be going like it never had an off switch… thanks to my creepy old neighbour in my old neighbourhood for the inspiration” she told Newsday.

Ledger added, “There were rumours of him being a ‘Lagahoo’ and his nickname was Old Man Jenkins. In my old neighbourhood there was this creepy house, so all the elements from [it] inspired my film and helped shape it. In fact, that very creepy house was used in the film.” As this is her first film, an overwhelmed Ledger gave credit to the actors who helped bring the characters in her film to life.

“The very talented Girma Vincent, who portrayed Miss Ivory, Andre Williams, who stole the show as he portrayed the hilarious coward Raymond, brought a lot of his own sense of humour into his character which worked great,” she said. “Donovan Withfield, who portrayed Old Man Jenkins, [and] last but not least, Jonnelle Hagley and Leonardo Ramkissoon, as Reese and Dale” she said.

Also present at the screening was Withfield, the lead actor in Ledger film.

Ledger’s success is the reason why DFI was initiated. Clement emphasised that their mission is to educate young persons who have the passion for film making, photography, acting and editing to name a few. In 2013, the institute collaborated with the Ministry of Trade to work on a project called the “Apprenticeship Portal Program” where some 25 students were given the opportunity to work with professionals from Germany and Canada.

Speaking at the recent screening, Chief Executive Officer of DFI, Garland Holder, issued a passionate plea for the students to invest their time and energy towards building the film industry in Trinidad and Tobago. He also issued an open invitation to young film-makers, who want a chance to feature their films at the workshop, to submit their work to DFI via email digitalfilminstitute@ yahoo.com. Young film-makers can also contact DFI by telephone at 289-6761.