Carribean Tales Film Festival - Toronto (10th-13th July)

The 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival presents "Fokus Jamaica", and announces an exciting lineup of Jamaican films, special guests and workshops

The CaribbeanTales Film Festival is set to hit Toronto again this summer!

Created by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, the event is Canada's one and only forum showcasing the best of Caribbean cinema, at home and abroad, classical and creole, digital and celluloid. And this year's focus is on the internationally recognised film and television productions of Jamaica.

Produced in assocation with the Jamaican Consulate, Toronto and Jamaica Trade and Invest (JAMPRO), the 4-day celebration will showcase the rich and vibrant cultural traditions that have made "Brand Jamaica" synonymous with world class cultural innovation, and timeless iconic images of spirited rebellion.

"I never doubted that Caribbean culture had international appeal, because I grew up with the huge impact of Bob Marley on the world’s imagination,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, Artistic Director of CaribbeanTales and Founder of the film festival. “This is why we have chosen to spotlight the importance of Jamaican cinema on the world stage.”

Opening night features the Canadian premiere of AFRICA UNITE. Made to commemorate the late Bob Marley’s 60th birthday the film is a compelling music documentary centered around the Marley’s first family trip to Ethiopia. Following the screening there will be a Talk Back session on African unity

Other highlights will include screenings, Talk Back sessions, and educational workshops aimed at youth and community groups.

CaribbeanTales pays tribute to talents such as: famed music video director Ras Kassa (Welcome to Jamrock), Jamaican-Canadian actor and director Clement Virgo (Poor Boy's Game), cinematographer Franklyn "Chappy" St.Juste (The Harder They Come) Jamaican-Canadian film and television stars Leonie Forbes (Lord Have Mercy, A Winter Tale), and Peter Williams (A Winter Tale, Chronicles of Riddick) and many more..

CaribbeanTales is proud to present a "Perry Henzell Evening", in honor of the late iconic director who created the Caribbean's cult cinematic materpiece "The Harder They Come".

The festival will also include work by new and emerging directors from Jamaica and the Jamaican diaspora. These will be announced shortly and we are also still accepting submissions for this.

The festival will run from July 10-13, 2008 at the Revue Cinema, and at Innis Town Hall.

(Above article taken from Leda Serene Films Website)