On the final night of the 284 Excellence Film Festival on Sunday, attendees were dressed to impress as they stepped into the theatre to view four short films and learn the winners in several categories showcased throughout the four-day event.
The films screened that evening evoked emotion from the audience in different ways, drawing gasps, cheers and murmurs. “Silent Partner,” by New York filmmaker Roderick Lawrence, was among the international shorts honoured with awards that night.
New York perspective
Mr. Lawrence — who starred, co-wrote and co-produced the film — was unable to attend the festival, but he told the Beacon he was glad he took part.
“I honestly believe everywhere should have a film festival, but especially places that are [underserved] in voice and representation — especially in things that aid the showing and the evidence that black culture is just not a monolith, you know,” Mr. Lawrence said. “And so it’s really beautiful.”
Inaugural festival
This year was the inaugural international film festival hosted by the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission, but Tourism Director Clive McCoy said it will not be the last.
“This is the first year of many to come,” Mr. McCoy said.
The festival, which took place in various locations across Tortola from last Thursday through Sunday, embraced local, regional and international filmmaking.
The screenings kicked off last Thursday evening at the Cyril B. Romney Pier Park, where attendees watched internationally produced comedies, documentaries and dramas that were between 40 and 90 minutes in length.
Caribbean filmmakers were also featured on the lineup that evening under the category “Your Voice, Your Story.” These films were less than 40 minutes long and were produced this year.
VI filmmakers
The next evening focused on the territory’s filmmakers, including adults and children.
The screening was held at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and featured three categories for residents: “Local Lens,” where adult filmmakers submitted short films that were less than 40 minutes long; “Student Smartphone Contest,” which required submissions to be shot entirely on a smartphone and had a running time no longer than seven minutes; and “Viral Video Challenge,” which featured 90-second video submissions “promoting the territory as a premier destination” from residents between the ages of 9 and 17.
Caribbean films
The Saturday screening, which was held at Nanny Cay Resort and Marina, showcased more Caribbean short films, including entries from the United States Virgin Islands, Jamaica, and Antigua and Barbuda.
Sunday evening — the final night of the festival — featured showings of short films from the US and St. Maarten as well as an award ceremony honouring the winning filmmakers featured throughout the festival.
Attendees dressed in black-tie attire and enjoyed drinks and catering at the U.P.’s Cineplex before heading up to the theatre for the screening and award ceremony.
Annual event
Mr. McCoy told the Beacon on Sunday evening that the event was a success.
“I think the festivities went really, really well, especially for our first-time attempt at something of this scale,” he said.
He added that he expects the event, which he said will be held annually, will get bigger and better in the future.
“It’s something that I can anticipate will grow and continue to be a major event in the BVI, and I sincerely believe that it is one that we will grow to such a scale that it will see a huge benefit in terms of visitors coming to the BVI at some point,” he said.
Mr. Lawrence agreed.
“It’s a prime spot that could have a really great film festival,” he said of the VI.
He added that film festivals are not only popular among filmmakers themselves but also among film buffs.
“There is just a huge want and love for film festivals from just moviegoers,” he said. “It’s crazy how many people will sign up and go — especially if you’re somewhere nice.”
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