Membership – driver to (re)organising film community in Jamaica

July 18 – On the heels of the Jamaica Film Festival, which was held in Kingston, July 7 – 11, the practitioners in Jamaica got another great opportunity to connect with their peers and mentors in the international markets from the USA, Canada, UK and the Caribbean; what was more important is the Jamaican practitioners of varied years meeting in a collegial environment for five days.

The Festival which used the popular format of workshops, screenings, parties and one-one-one meetings focused on a process of re-engagement for both Jamaican practitioners and the international folks.

Some pointers offered by the experts ranged from

• ‘Tell better stories’
• Film as a Business https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=228MzjchghQ​
• Film Experts Give Business Advice
• ‘Document our culture’

The festival was held against the background that similar events existed from up to 40 years ago and other film festivals have changed, morphed and some new ones have come on board. The dynamism of the industry in Jamaica is impacting enough to have all and some ways must be found to have them all exist; but aimed at a few things

• Creating greater opportunities for the industry
• Solidifying the existing structures that work
• Finding new ways to exploit the global market using the skills sets
• Forge partnerships for mutual benefit
  • With other Film Festivals
• Essentially to create content from Jamaica by Jamaican content producers to attract global audiences

MULTIPLE FILM FESTIVALS

Though a small country relative to those with longer history with film festivals, for example Canada, there is room for more than one. Canada for example, profiles the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as its premier event, while there are at least ten other MAJOR ones with a few themed festivals. There are ten major ones and that does not include the sub festivals while the major ones are going on. So Montreal, Quebec, Vancouver etc. have their own.

More and more cities are becoming the venues for film festivals and here is a link for the ones which were the most recommended festivals for 2014 http://www.moviemaker.com/archives/festivals/50-film-festivals-worth-the-entry-fee-2014/

MEMBERSHIP WITHIN THE INDUSTRY

One of the major concerns which became obvious at the recently concluded Film Festival was the Jamaican industry needed to become organised. That organisation should or can include interest and advocacy groups to ensure the needs are met by an organisation like JAMPRO.

The emergence of guilds, associations and lobby groups are recommended. JAMPRO’s justification for spearheading any event is to facilitate growth and development; and in the case of the Jamaica Film Festival, it should serve to satisfy not just the needs of the local industry, but serve to identify markets, expose new ways of doing business, but most importantly offer advice of ways and means to export Jamaica’s (film/TV) product in the global market so filmmakers can earn.

An actor, Rodney Campbell, made this call recently – There are far too many benefits gained from being a part of this creative expression for us to continue treating it as a back seat passenger in a robot taxi.  We are at a point where clinging to the deficiencies and deterrents of the past are OVER and those who are serious must choose and do so NOW.https://rodneysocampbell.wordpress.com/2015/07/14/ja-actors-should-read-this-script/

Like in the export market, there is the Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) and in sport there are several sporting associations, those serve as a few things

• Collective voices to lobby for attention and activity to boost their industry
• Being acknowledged as formal to initiate programmes to enhance work already existing, but to add value
• Keeping pace with the rest of the world

The economics of what an organised film industry can do for a developing country like Jamaica are endless. That same organised industry can force an agency like JAMPRO to act on its core – develop exports and attract investments for growth.

This is a call to action for Jamaica’s film industry. It shouldn’t be just lights and camera, maybe it is time for action.

® July 18, 2015

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From: Dale Godboldo – Jamaica Film Festival

Congrats to Carole Beckford and the Jamaica Film Commission on the launch of your Inaugural ‪#‎JamaicaFilmFestival this July 7th!! 🎬

If you didn’t know, Jamaica’s coming out STRONG this year in film and TV. I’ll be showing my support by sitting on a few panels alongside some amazing talent from Hollywood. We’re also bringing out my Executive Producing partner Jeffrey Reddick (wrote Final Destination) to share a little insight on how you create a $650 million movie franchise. I’m hoping to learn a bit from him myself 😉

We’ll be back in Jamaica with Jeffrey, my partner Arthur Wylie, and the rest of the Global Renaissance Entertainment Group team shooting White Witch Of Rose Hall very soon, and I’m looking forward to building relationships with the local filmmaking community on this trip. We’re committed to partnering with the island in a big way, to not only bring attention to the island’s culture, but also to do our part in making real impact in the community through film production and the work of our charities – Arthur Wylie Foundation and Project:NOW / Always In The Club Foundation.

(Btw, the film festival’s sponsored by Red Stripe and Tuff Gong (The Marley Family), so I’ll definitely find a minute to chill and take full advantage of that 😎)

I’m proud to be a part of what I know will be an outstanding tradition in the Caribbean, so I’ll be doing some Periscope-ing and posts while there. Also watch out for my blog post when I get back at www.IAmDaleGodboldo.com.

Stay tuned, and see you JULY 7th from ‪#‎Kingston!

‪#‎JaFilmFest ‪#‎BobMarley ‪#‎Marley ‪#‎Film ‪#‎Jamaica

JAMAICA can host multiple film festivals

KINGSTON, January 4 – Jamaica can and will continue to host a number of film and music festivals. The country’s content and production are of the diversity, quality and brand strength to be able to maintain and sustain festivals for its relevant markets.

The state’s investment and export promotion agency, JAMPRO has secured the services of a number of organisations and professional individuals as part of a continuing effort to market the country’s resources in a number of key sectors, of which film and the creative industry are important. Akin to that is hosting of events, meetings, conferences, workshops, seminars, roadshows, and in this case festivals as mechanisms to showcase the island’s services.

The Jamaica Film Festival 2015, scheduled for July 7 – 11 this year in Kingston is one such event and as the FILM COMMISSIONER, based at JAMPRO, a team is working on delivering this event. So far a major partner, Tuff Gong International has been acquired http://sflcn.com/bob-marley-foundation-partners-with-jampro-for-jamaica-film-festival-2015/

A number of other partners have been pursued (public and private) and those will be announced shortly, to include strategic media partners, local and international. A call for film/documentary projects was announced and 54 projects were observed through pitch sessions. The pitches were seen by a myriad of local experts and a short list has been recommended. The next step is for script experts to match scores from the pitch sessions upon which those selected will be announced for production.

A number of professional development workshops will be held for the teams of the projects chosen to ensure quality and provide the support warranted for the successful delivery of the projects in July.

MULTIPLE FILM FESTIVALS

Though a small country relative to those with longer history with film festivals, e.g. Canada, there is room for more than one. Canada for example, profiles the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) as its premier event, while there are at least ten other MAJOR ones with a few themed festivals. There are ten major ones and that does not include the sub festivals while the major ones are going on. So Montreal, Quebec, Vancouver etc have their own.

More and more cities are becoming the venues for film festivals and here is a link for the ones which were the most recommended festivals for 2014 http://www.moviemaker.com/archives/festivals/50-film-festivals-worth-the-entry-fee-2014/

JAMAICA

Jamaica’s layout by parish/county is distinguished by its culture, and with effective planning the indigenous of each area is at liberty, as has been done, the opportunity to plan its own series of cultural events including film festivals. No government or private sector entity can restrict a community; neither will JAMPRO. The nature of the business is one which is open for a variety of projects, but JAMPRO has a mandate and role to determine programmes in the best interest of Jamaica’s export and investment projects.

The Film Festival in July is scheduled for Kingston and it is on – stay tuned to http://www.filmjamaica.com and information will be revealed in a timely manner.

An earlier post here, identifies the role of film festivals in economic activity, read for background https://carolebeckford.wordpress.com/2014/10/30/film-festivals-benefits-to-cities-worldwide/

We invite all those with ideas to plan to keep Jamaica’s brand in check as we seek to promote our services and products to the world. There is room for all of us to exist.

Film, Music and Entertainment – Jamaica is where it all is!

JAMPRO and Bob Marley Foundation sign agreement

KINGSTON, November 26 – In what could be considered a master stroke, JAMPRO, Jamaica’s trade and investment agency signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Bob Marley Foundation on Wednesday to signal both groups’ intention to partner for the Jamaica Film Festival 2015.

Marie Bruce, General Manager, Bob Marley Group of Companies who spoke on behalf of the Foundation, signaled the team’s intention to push the Jamaican message to every corner of the globe. Coming off a recent successful partnership – the Tuff Gong International acquired the global distribution rights for the soundtrack of Jamaica’s recent romantic drama, Destiny.

The company is the region’s exclusive licensee for international recording companies Warner Music Group, Disney Music Group, and Universal Music Group. This means that the movie’s official soundtrack will be released internationally on the Tuff Gong label, as part of the deal with Caroline Music, a division of Universal Music Group. The move, Bruce said, was a perfect fit and the Film Festival is just another way the country’s image can be enhanced.

Also speaking at the briefing attended by a variety of public and private sector representatives, including financial institutions, was JAMPRO’s President, Diane Edwards, who indicated her agency’s mandate to create an environment where “Art meets Business”.

The President added that “JAMPRO’s attempt to consolidate efforts of the creative industries is bearing fruit and the hosting of a film festival in Kingston next July – falls in line with the development and subsequent monetizing of the sector – we deem as important. Jamaica’s reputation in the film industry is largely known as a location for filming, but a film festival is evidence of the industry legitimizing itself and building on the existing reputation of films professionals.”

The Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Hon. G. Anthony Hylton in his keynote says “this marks a truly remarkable partnership in building Jamaica’s cultural and creative industries, and to a larger extent, the economy. Having access to one of the biggest and most renowned Brand in the world is a massive achievement.” The Minister pointed out that having held the reputation of being the cultural and creative powerhouse of the Caribbean, being positioned as the major producer of creative products, through an event like the Film Festival, will help to attract a wide variety of attention and offer us a competitive edge to earn from the film industry.

The Minister has committed his efforts to “make” the location more attractive and competitive by maintaining, upgrading and adding facilities of the highest standards.

Joining via Skype was Paula Madision, CEO and President of Madison Media Management who has offered to sit on the Festival’s Advisory Team. She has extended the reach of her rolodex to bring the relevant persons to Jamaica who she says has a myriad of interests in the business of film making.

JAMPRO’s Chairman, Milton Samuda in his closing remarks pointed towards the shift of JAMPRO in ensuring that the value chain for the industry is recognised and the right eco-system is required to make the sector flourish.

The festival is scheduled for Kingston, July 7 – 11, 2015 and there is a call for films out for Jamaican filmmakers to submit scripts/treatments by December 2 to be considered for selection. Interested persons can go to http://www.filmjamaica.com

Also in attendance were representatives from the Jamaica Tourist Board, University of the West Indies, EXIM Bank, Broadcasting Commission, Ministry of Youth and Culture, Jamaica Intellectual Property Organisation, Toronto International Film Festival, British High Commission, The Hynes Group and the Development Bank of Jamaica

Film Festivals – Benefits to cities worldwide

KINGSTON – Jamaica’s history with Film Festivals dates back to 1999 when Island Girl Productions, lead by Sheryl Lee Ralph developed, conceptualized and executed the Jamerican Film Festival. This event was always hosted in Montego and from the early days had partnership from the Jamaica Tourist Board and JAMPRO.

For at least five decades, film festivals have become popular worldwide establishing a decent reputation for professionals in the film industry, but generating varying interest from curious tourists and locals who are keen on learning more of a city’s/country’s culture.

One of the earliest film festivals though is the Venice Film Festival in Italy which began in 1932 and is the longest running festival. It is held in the last quarter each year http://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/
The benefits to Venice are enormous and only this year two hotels in the vicinity of where the Festival is held is seeking US$380 million to renovate two of its earliest properties in the city for the 2015 renewal. It was reported that actor, Errol Flynn and Winston Churchill stayed at the Excelsior, one of the properties listed and that the very first festival was held on its terrace 82 years ago. That information is on the Festival’s website and is promoted as such.

The other massive Festivals are Cannes, Toronto, Sundance and Berlin. Berlin has been reported to have the biggest crowd and by that has been declared the largest. A study has indicated that there are 3,000 active film festivals worldwide – all of which have been held in the last 24 months.

BENEFITS TO A CITY

Sundance, held in Park City, Utah reported that the Sundance Institute brings US$86.4 million – figures from a University of Utah’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research. The Festival is believed to have supported 1,434 jobs and generated US$65.1 million of media exposure. Over 45,000 people were in attendance and the report shows that more than 65 per cent of that number traveled from outside of Utah.

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) began back in 1976 – same year Montreal hosted the Summer Olympic Games; it is now in the top five festivals and is reporting earnings of up to US$189 million for the 10-day festival and has attracted an additional 150,000 visitors to the city. TIFF can be seen at http://www.tiff.net

This year the Equalizer and No Good Deed with Denzel Washington and Idris Elba respectively were just two of the feature films screened at TIFF

OPPORTUNITIES FOR KINGSTON

Kingston has 2,000 rooms in hotels along with some additional ones in villas and homes. While not too hard to fill, the energy and focus on the entertainment capital of the Caribbean can be enhanced by adding another product for the city. Already packed with numerous cultural activities to include live music, night clubs, great restaurants, sports, theatre, beach parties, hiking, running/jogging/walking for that grouping and the historical sites to include Devon House, Bob Marley Museum, Trench Town and Port Royal – A film festival is all Kingston needs to make the city complete.

Reggae Month, Kingstoon, Kingston on the Edge; Jamaica International Film Festival, Kingston City Run and the numerous 5Ks are good for the product package of the season. And we will not forget the number of famous churches in the city. If you consider the Hellshire and Fort Clarence experiences urban enough, then a trip there is also part of the mix. Three top-rated sport bars connected to icons – Courtney Walsh, Chris Gayle and Usain Bolt are strategically positioned in the city.

The use and display of cultural spaces in the city will have to be managed in an efficient way and what exists now with the varying access to use of those spaces will have to be streamlined. Kingston deserves a Film Festival and should be supported by the businesses and people in Kingston and the wider Jamaica.

CREATIVE OUTPUT

While the city clamours for a Film Festival what is also necessary is films, documentaries and TV series to be shown from the local industry along with regional and international inputs. Jamaica has largely been a location for filming, but with intermittent development of film products over the last few decades, the industry requires input from investors to support the creation of scripts worthy for screen to be shown at the Jamaica Film Festival.

A call for film will be announced in a few weeks and from there it is “The Show must Go on” approach. The Film Commission has sought the advice of industry folks at home and abroad and the idea is generally accepted; but like with all so-called intangible outputs, the financial support/investment/partnership seems slow in coming.

INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY

Jamaica’s brand has largely been seen as connected to the sand, sea, sun phenomena and with all those options created in a few destinations, the competitive advantage must emerge. The cultural capital of Jamaica is underestimated by its own and somehow the packaging and development have been less than impressive. The investors in the society can break away from the norm and partner with the creators to produce at least one feature film a year, a few documentaries and other stories in the screen and/or TV formats.

The opportunity looms and with just under 250 days to go – Kingston has the opportunity to light up the space and be the focus on this region and the world. Also on that time (summer) the track and field team will be in Beijing; the netball team will go for Gold in the World Championship and Rio will be in full sight. That is a lot to promote and throw in a film or few – that’s ideal.

Let’s make this happen and support the “Script to Screen” for 2015 – Jamaica Film Festival, Kingston, July 7 – 11 in 2015.

Lights! Camera! Action!