Lights, Camera....JAMPRO

David Arquette

L-R, co-hosts singer/actress Cherine, Debbie Bissoon and JAMPRO chairman Milton Samuda

LeVaugn Flynn of sponsors Red Stripe

Even as film industry types air various gripes (many still valid) with officialdom's handling of film works on the rock, that didn't stop many of them from crowding into JAMPRO's main presentation room to hear (and see) the launch of the Jamaica Film festival, set for July 7-15 at various venues.

The hosts waged a near fruitless battle against absolutely horrible sound, and the online links were also troubled by glitches, but the information  - and the gravity of JAMPRO's intent - eventually came through. Actor David Arquette (everything from the "Scream" franchise to the new "Entourage" movie) was on hand to lend a bit of star power to the proceedings

In addition to screenings, there will be seminars, awards and panels on a host of film topics, most anticipated being "Funding the Film Project" and Digicel will put its weight behind a "film on a smartphone" contest specially for the event.

for more info visit www.filmjamaica.com


www.localjoe.organogold.com

Film: Mafundikwa "funds Memory"

Jamaican filmmaker Karen Mafundikwa (who till recently doubled as Senior Consulting Officer, Film at Jmaaica Promotions -JAMPRO) presents her documentary, "The Price of Memory: Queen Elizabeth II, Rastafari and Reparations. the enduring legacy of slavery in Jamaica". the film will be screened at a special presentation of David Morrison's long-running film nights (normally weekends) tonight starting at 7:30. The director will host a Q & A after the screening.

In the film, British monarch Queen Elizabeth II is petitioned by a small group of Rastafari for slavery reparations, while visiting Jamaica for her Golden Jubilee Celebrations. We follow the petition and a reparations lawsuit, while exploring the enduring legacies of slavery in Jamaica. The Price of Memory traces the movement for slavery reparations in Jamaica and the Rastafarian quest to return to Africa.