A film festival set to launch this fall will highlight work from here and abroad and help “bridge the gap” between Caribbean cinema and literature, organisers said.
The inaugural 284 Excellence Film Festival — “284XFF” for short — will be spearheaded by the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission from Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 under the theme “Caribbean Literature in Motion: Caribbean Stories Reimagined.”
The contest will focus on adapting literature for the screen, with filmmakers challenged to transform stories penned by Caribbean authors into visual short stories.
“From emerging student directors to seasoned filmmakers around the world, participants will engage in screenings, networking events, and panel discussions that explore the art and impact of film,” said Film Commissioner Natalie Hodge. “We are deeply grateful to the BronzeLens Film Festival, Miami Film Festival and Micheaux Film Festival for their incredible support and collaboration of the launch of the inaugural 284 Excellence Film Festival.”
Categories
The event will feature a national competition with three categories:
• “Local Lens” for short films of no more than 40 minutes by adult filmmakers who are based in the Virgin Islands;
• a “Say Less” student smartphone contest for films between 5 and 7 minutes; and
• a Viral Video Challenge featuring 90-second-or-less films by youth content creators.
Additionally, a regional competition themed “Caribbean Chronicles” will include two categories:
• “One Story, Many Visions,” for films that present multiple interpretations of a single Caribbean literary work; and
• “Your Author, Your Story,” where filmmakers adapt a published Caribbean work of their choice.
The international competition includes two categories as well:
• “Legends of the Lens,” for award-winning global films competing for “Best of the Festival” (in two subcategories: shorts 40 minutes or less; and features between 40 and 90 minutes); and
• “Your Author, Your Story,” for diaspora filmmakers adapting Caribbean literary works into a film of 40 minutes or less.
Other screenings
Also on the line-up will be out-of-competition screenings that will highlight works curated by filmmakers from around the world, organisers said.
“This festival is our invitation to the world: to experience the beauty, resilience and creativity of the Caribbean through the cinematic lens,” Ms. Hodge said.
“We’re not just telling stories: We’re documenting history.”
For more information, go to festival website 284excellencefilmfestival.com.
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