Steelband documentaries to debut at ttff

James O’Connor’s film To Be A Renegade, captures the story of the bp Renegades through an examination of the violent beginnings of pan, the era of change, and its present state as a positive influence on communities, with steelbands now travelling abroad as international ambassadors.

Featuring players, founding members and supporters, the documentary funded by bpTT seeks to show what it really means to be a Renegade. As part of its support for the film, bpTT is sponsoring a free screening on September 22, 8.30 pm, at MovieTowne, Port of Spain. Tickets will be available from the box office on a first-comefirst- served basis, at the start of the festival.

Birdsong by Vibert Medford, follows Mia Gormandy — the first woman to be appointed arranger for birdsong, during one night of practice as she prepares the band for the 2017 Panorama competition.

Founded in 1973 at the UWI, the band later moved to Tunapuna, becoming an integral part of the community, creating employment, providing music literacy training and facilitating educational scholarships among other pursuits.

The name birdsong was chosen from inception to reflect the band’s desire to make music as sweet and melodic as the sound of birds.

To Be An All Star captures the extraordinary energy of one of the big moments of Carnival 2017, when the Massy Trinidad All Stars won the Large Bands Panorama finals.

Both birdsong and To Be An All Star will screen on September 24, as part of Feature T+T, the ttff ’s day-long celebration of local films at MovieTowne Port of Spain, San Fernando and Tobago.

Feature T+T is part of the country’s celebration of Patriotism Month and is sponsored by the Ministry of Community Development Culture and the Arts.

Tickets cost $30.

The pan films are part of the more than 34 short and feature films that will screen at this year’s festival.

For more info: ttfilmfestival.com

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