The 4d Annual GATFFEST reaches a crescendo this week with the Premiere of Film on Trench Town at the Opening Night, scheduled for June 23 at the Assembly Hall on the mOna Campus of the UWI.
The highly anticipated four day festivities, which culminate at a grand award ceremony on June 26, brings the curtains down to what has been one of the most exciting showcase of GATFFEST till date.
Not only did the interest spiked in this path breaking community initiative locally and regionally, the number of international entries to the Caribbean’s most happening community film festival reached record numbers.
“We are proud of GATFFEST’s achievements,” said Professor Ian Boxill, Professor of Management Studies and Director, Centre for Tourism and Policy Research. “It is through perseverance, hard work and most importantly a dedicated and focused team, which has made us grow strength to strength every year.”
The series of events include an invitation only Opening Gala and Film Premiere, which is a Red Carpet Arrival and Reception and premiere of documentary on Trench Town.
The festivities move to Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts on Friday, June 24, where two workshops, which will be anchored by United States film maker Judy Chaikin, and Colombian film maker Jhon Narvaez Escudero – who will delve under the theme “Telling your story workshop”. These workshops are free of cost. On Friday evening, EMC will host a selection of local and international films – there is nominal admission cost of $800.
On Saturday, the spotlight shines in Kingston and the second city of Montego Bay. At Courtleigh Auditorium, in Kingston there will an engaging panel discussion will look into Movie Techniques and The Filmmaker’s Trials and Tribulations. UWI Western Jamaica Campus comes alive with Jhon Narvaez Escudero giving Tips for the Independent Filmmaker.
Both events are followed by film nights, at Courtleigh Auditorium in Kingston and Wexford Hotel in Montego Bay.
Sunday, June 26 is the grand finale, wherein a gala Awards Ceremony will be organised, which will recognise and reward the works of the top films.
“We are not merely a film festival,” Prof. Boxill said. “GATTFEST is fast becoming the catalyst and the medium for story tellers converging in Jamaica, exchanging thoughts and ideas and critically advancing the filmmaking techniques at par with the best in the world.”
