Toronto, On – CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, (CTFF) founded by award winning filmmaker and Academy member Frances-Anne Solomon, will celebrate its 18th year, September 6th – 22nd.CTFF 2023 will continue its mission to present a multi-ethnic mix of inspiring films showcasing diverse shared stories and cultures from new and returning filmmakers. Attendees can join Festival hosts, special guests and filmmakers for live screenings, panel discussions and talkbacks with filmmakers. Films will be screened at the Harbourfront Center, 235 Queens Quay W. Toronto, On. This year a proactive CTFF will explore the urgent narratives on climate change plus a multitude of diverse stories from the Caribbean and African diaspora. 2023 also marks the inaugural Hon. Dr Jean Augustine Award that will be presented September 9th.
September 6th,CTFF will open with screening & reception of Eden River (Jack Evans, Belize/USA) Nominated: Best Short in Cannes. Central America, 1961: Cultural, moral, and ancestral tensions rise between three sea turtle poachers seeking their fortune on the offshore nesting grounds. Also screening opening night, Here Ends the World We’ve Known (Anne-Sophie Nanki, Guadeloupe, France), a visual and plot stunning piece. Territory (Jael Joesph, Canada/Dominica). The descendants of the last remaining Kalinago tribe of Dominica struggle to maintain autonomy over their culture. Powerlands, an environmental feature (Ivey-Camille Manybeads Tso, Colombia/Mexico/Philippines); featuring first peoples around the globe. A young Navajo woman investigates displacement of Indigenous people in several countries, and devastation of the environment, caused by the same chemical companies that have exploited the land where she was born. On this personal and political journey, she learns from Indigenous activists across three continents. CTFF will also screen, Diaspora (Héctor Valdez, Dominican Republic); The movements, migration, and liberation of peoples through art and culture, using the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean as a starting point and the docu-series, plus a snippet of Iconography: Roy Cape (Mikhail Neruda Gibbings, T&T) full screening on September 9th; the first ever bio documentary about the legendary musician from Trinidad and Tobago Roy Cape.
“The truth inspires me. Heroism, creativity and generosity- all the ways that people find to arrive finally at the truth.
“I am proud to unfold this year’s Carebbean Tales International Film Festival. As we celebrate our 18th edition, our path is constant and consistent. Each year our filmmakers, films, and panels let us know how far we’ve come and just as important, how much work still needs to be done.”
Frances-Anne Solomon, Filmmaker & Academy Director Member /Festival Founder
2023 CaribbeanTales International Film Festival In-person lineup:
September 7th – Standout Shorts:
Paria’s Pear – Suelyn Choo, Kerron Lemmessey
Vwé Kafé, Real Coffee – Cassandra Joseph, Vincent Lopez
A Pile of Dirt – Rhoma Spencer
Fantastic Friday – Shari Petti
Tabanca – Lauren Marsden
Las Olas – Monica Mustelier
Daughter of the Sea – Alexis C Garcia
Black & White Duppy – Thomas Blackman
September 8th – Caribbean X Queer
My Maxi – Andrei J Pierre
My Lady of the Camelia – Edouard Montoute
Raw Materials – Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly
September 9th
CTFF will celebrate the Hon Dr. Jean Augustine on her 85 birthday with an Awards night. Plus, screening of:
Iconography: Roy Cape – Mikhail Neruda Gibbings.
September 16 – Tales from a Strange Land
Kisses on Cuts – Aaron Caruth
Short Drop – Romario Jose Reyes
Le retour des femmes colibris – The return of the hummingbird women – Patricia Kaersenhout
Sugar Cake – Joshua Paul
Diaspora – Héctor Valdez
September 17 – Closing Night + Awards Ceremony
The Power of the Truth,
DỌLÁPỌ̀ IS FINE – Ethosheia Hylton
Behind the Blue – A “New Management” Story – Kenderson Nora
Yubism: Life and Art of Yubi Kirindongo – A truly unique story of a unique artists who uses what others waste to create breathtaking, magnificent works of art. Corry van Heijningen
Don’t miss screenings.
Raw Materials (Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly. Jamaica); a Jamaican submission to the Oscars this year, from our Caribbean X Queer night.
A fashion prodigy who is struggling to find his direction must overcome an abusive community to fully embrace his talent and identity.
It is not Past-08 12 1982 (Ida Does, Netherlands/ Suriname)
Director Ida Does thoroughly explores the torture and murdering of fifteen lawyers, journalists, scientists, entrepreneurs and military men by the military dictatorship of Desi Bouterse on December 8, 1982 at Fort Zeelandia in Paramaribo.
*All screenings and events are subject to change
The Full CTFF program can be followed and viewed athttps://caribbeantalesfestival.com/2023-program/
CTFF Festival Trailer:
https://caribbeantalesfestival.com/eco-survivors/
For passes
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/caribbeantales-international-film-festival-2023-festival-pass-tickets-448713222327
CaribbeanTales Media Group’s popular, The Big Pitch returns this year. Nine emerging and mid-career BIPOC filmmakers selected from CaribbeanTales Black Incubator, Studio Access Project and CineFam Limitless Incubator will pitch projects to Canadian and international broadcasters and distributors for cash, mentorship, and support for their projects.
For tickets and info
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/the-big-pitch-at-tiff-presented-by-ctmg-tickets-691646883447?aff=erelpanelorg
Media Inquiries:
Sasha Stoltz Publicity:
Sasha Stoltz | Sasha@sashastoltzpublicity.com | 416.579.4804
https://www.sashastoltzpublicity.com