Despite the inclement weather and start of the rainy season over the past two months, the Trinidad and Tobago Film Company (TTFC) remained committed to hosting its series of community film outreach events across the island of Trinidad. T&T Film Nights–Cinema Showcase visited the south-eastern end of the island with two events hosted in Rio Claro and Mayaro, and celebrated with the St James Community Improvement Committee to host its Film Nights in St James during the WeBeat St James celebrations last month.
Warm southeastern welcome for Film Nights
In both south-eastern communities, the local films screened were warmly welcomed by the residents, and attendance at both events surpassed expectations. Attendees shared their joy and excitement that the event had been hosted in their areas, and at both venues most encouraged the TTFC to return, insisting that the Film Nights event provided a great source of alternative local entertainment for those who preferred to stay close to home.
They were also pleased at the collaboration between the TTFC and Mayaro/Rio Claro Regional Corporation, which supplied support in securing both venues for the event–the Regional Corporation Transport Shed in Rio Claro and the Mayaro Youth Facility. Community partner First Citizens continued its support to the event by its generous sponsorship of the rental of the cinema screen, and the Diana Sweet Company Ltd provided free candy to the attendees. Seven local films were screened, showcasing the work of local film-makers and enabling the appreciative patrons to view a mixed selection of films from different genres rarely seen in the local cinemas and on television.
In speaking with the TTFC organisers on the evening of the events, residents of Mayaro and Rio Claro were particularly pleased to view an episode from the Yes–Caribbean Youth Explorers by Lorraine O'Connor, where they saw the areas of Nariva and Mayaro featured through the eyes of a group of youth explorers aged nine to 14. During the feedback section of the evening, one of the younger Rio Claro residents said she "felt proud to see Nariva in a film," and believed that the event was, "a good experience" for her and her friends."
Almost mirroring her sentiments, one elder in the community commented that the film, "enlightened the kids about Nariva and was very educational." Also included in the selection of films were two shorts from the 2009 Secondary Schools Short Film Competition–Curepe Drumstick Robbery by winners St Joseph's Convent, St Joseph, and Don't Call me Jigger by Rio Claro East Secondary School. These two films in particular were appreciated by the audience as it showcased the young film-making talent of students given an opportunity to express themselves through film. This year, the TTFC has made a significant investment in hosting the competition, now called, the T&T Secondary Schools Short Film Festival 2010.
The WeBeat St James Festival
June 2010 kicked off the start of the annual WeBeat St James live event. The St James Community Improvement Committee invited the TTFC and the Film Nights event to participate, which resulted in local film being included in the celebrations for the first time in the event's history. The St James Amphitheatre, which is customarily used for WeBeat events, was the perfect setting for a film screening, allowing patrons to enjoy an auditorium style setting for cinema viewing under the stars. Despite being on a week night, the event attracted a wide variety of people of all ages, ethnicities, and even a few visitors from the United States who wanted a taste of what T&T film had to offer.
The evening featured several local films, including the main feature of the critically acclaimed Mas Man by Dalton Narine–a dramatic documentary on Trinidad's own Peter Minshall, featuring exclusive interviews with local artists and cultural activists including Alyson Brown. As the sun went down, the audience was treated to an episode of Herman's Tales by Roger Alexis and Kirk Budhooram, the short film Coolie Pink and Green by Patricia Mohammed, and an animated short entitled Vendor Rivalry by Ansar Sattar. The TTFC plans to continue the initiative throughout T&T, with the next T&T Film Nights � Cinema Showcase project scheduled to head to Point Fortin, Chaguanas and the sister island of Tobago.
More Info
For more information about the TTFC's Film Nights, visit the company's Web site at www.trinidadandtobagofilm.com and its Facebook.com fan page
(Search: T&T Film Company).