Play the Devil to open TT Film Festival

He was speaking to reporters yesterday after the launch of the 2016 TTFF held at the Hyatt Regency, Dock Road, Port-of-Spain.

“I think the Film Festival is now seeing its part in the cultural landscape of Trinidad and Tobago and people look forward to it because they know it might be the one chance of the year they can see Caribbean films, one chance to see TT films and international quality independent films.” He continued, “We are doing really well and people are looking forward to the event and we have a great line-up of films and industry activities for this year. We have four TT featured films, and it’s the most we have had.” He said one of the local films “Play the Devil” will be aired at the opening of the festival on September 20 at Central Bank, Portof- Spain.

Now in its 11th year of Caribbean films, Nneka Luke, general manager of Film TT (FTT), told the gathering more focus was paid to directly supporting TTFF’s industry development and training activities, alongside the long-standing support of all the TT film awards.

Luke indicated that the TTFF and FTT are complementary partners in the development of the local industry, with TTFF being the primary platform for the screening of local productions, and FTT moving from facilitation through sponsorship, to be more deliberate in the strategic planning for the industry, in service of all stakeholders.

“TTFF’s Caribbean focus is also significant for industry development, because as much as it is important to put systems in place here, it is just as important to tap into TT’s role as one of the leaders in Caribbean film production.

So FTT will also prioritise development of our regional connections among festivals, film commissions, and governing bodies,” she said.

Luke emphasised that at this year’s festival they will continue their focus on industry development through direct support for the Caribbean Film Mart and producers lab, and will also leverage the opportunity for the wider Film TT team to network with local stakeholders in the industry.

“ We will continue to deepen our international network with the film pros who are coming, in service of the local industry,” she said.

Also on the panel was Director, Marketing, Columbus Communications Trinidad Limited (Flow), Cindy- Ann Gatt said it is very important to note that their support of TTFF is their longest sponsor relationship, and they felt very strongly that they must support the continued success of the Festival