Acclaimed Hollywood actress CCH Pounder, celebrated film producer Paul Garnes, international media executives and twenty-six high-level producers from Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa and a number of Caribbean countries will be in Barbados from April 15-19, 2024.
The British Film Institute (BFI) will be among a stellar group of companies to support the first Cross Continental International Co-production Forum. (CCF).
Agnieszka Moody, BFI Head of International Relations, says: “We are delighted to support the Cross Continental Forum in Barbados. It is a great opportunity for the UK-based filmmakers to develop connections with filmmaking talent across the Caribbean region with rich cultural ties to the UK and Canada. Through this initiative, we look forward to enabling compelling, diverse stories told collaboratively from a new contemporary perspective finding their way to screens around the world.”
The first of its kind, CCF stands as a dynamic co-producing and business development forum, convening industry leaders, producers, and innovators from the United Kingdom, Canada, Africa and the Caribbean, for a collaborative exchange of ideas and opportunities that will result in new co-productions.
Established by, CaribbeanTales Media Group, Imagine Media International, and The Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination at the University of The West Indies the inaugural official lineup of participants who will take part in upcoming Cross Continental International Co-production Forum, scheduled to take place in Barbados from April 15th to April 19th, 2024 have finally been announced. Six people from the UK will join participants from around the world for this historic initiative.
”We are excited to bring together a diverse group of international professionals to facilitate new co-ventures ” said Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO at CaribbeanTales Media Group.”As film storytellers of the global south, with roots and connections around the world, we have access to incredible unharnessed stories that will resonate with all our audiences: Tall tales of struggle and overcoming adversity, of laughter and freedom, and the healing power of resilience and joy”.
This year, the forum’s guiding focus will centre on “Decolonizing the co-production process for the benefit of the Global South”.
“Our goal is to facilitate highly interactive networking opportunities resulting in successful long-term production partnerships.” said Lisa Wickham, President & CEO at Imagine Media International Limited. “We expect the Cross Continental Forum to be a cornucopia of strong, untold, diverse stories.”
The exceptional group of official participants for the 2024 Cross Continental Forum are:
United Kingdom:
Carol Harding – Vicarious Productions
David Davis – 5 Acts Production
Dave Donald – Gallus Media
Nadine Marsh-Edwards – Green Acre Films
Sharon King – Awesome Productions
Yvonne Ibazebo – Turnover Films
Canada:
Amar Wala – Scarborough Pictures
Asis Sethi – Fly Away Films Inc.
Cazhhmere Downey – Direct Or Die Filmworks
Ella Cooper – Brown Rabbit Studios
Mitra Knight – 1844 Studios
Tristan Barrocks- Mid-Career Productions
Trinidad & Tobago:
Paul Pryce – The Deliverer Ltd
Gina Parris – Gina Parris Entertainment
Jamaica:
Robert Maylor – Mental Telepathy Pictures
Natalie Thompson – Cinecom Productions
South Africa:
Zikethiwe Ngcobo- Fuzebox Films
Grenada
Meschida Philip – Mprojekts Creative Group
Dominican Republic:
Belle Guzman – Cronos Films
Barbados:
Sanna Allsopp – Parachute Film Studios
Alison Saunders – Blue Waters Productions Inc.
St. Vincent:
Akley Olton – Island Rebel Media
Supported by the British Film Institute (BFI), the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario(Fed Dev), the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Trinidad and Tobago Film Co. (FilmTT) and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), CCF is the first of its kind, offering a unique platform for fostering partnerships, and building co-productions between the UK, Canada, Africa, and the Caribbean. Key highlights of the event include peer-to-peer discussions, real-life Case Studies, engaging panel discussions, networking opportunities, pitch sessions, and roundtable conversations.