International Director Stephanie Black attending Canadian Premier of AFRICA UNITE at the Revue Thursday.

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What: Acclaimed film director Stephanie Black will be in Toronto to attend the Canadian premiere of her powerful Bob Marley documentary Africa Unite. This premiere will kick off Toronto’s 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival. Stephanie will also attend the VIP reception preceding the screening.

Where: VIP reception at the River Restaurant (413 Roncesvalles Ave.) at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, followed by the Canadian premiere screening of Africa Unite at 7:30 p.m. at the Revue Cinema (400 Roncesvalles Ave.)

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The 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival’s opening night screening will mark the Canadian premiere of Africa Unite as Toronto joins a long list of international cities to show the film.

This year’s festival, entitled Fokus Jamaica will commence with a VIP reception at River Restaurant at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 10, 2008. Africa Unite will be screened at 7:30 p.m. at the Revue Cinema, followed by the film festival’s Opening Night after party, hosted by the Jamaican Consulate General Anne-Marie Bonner.

“We are very excited to be bringing this film to Canada,” said Festival Founder and Curator Frances-Anne Solomon. “Bob Marley has become synonymous with Jamaican culture, and selecting Africa Unite to open our festival seemed like a natural union.”

Focus Jamaica is presented in association with Jamaica Trade & Invest (JAMPRO) and the Consulate General of Jamaica in Toronto. The 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival will run from July 10 – 13, 2008 at The Revue Cinema, Innis Town Hall (U of T), and the High Park Library.

Directed by Black, Africa Unite commemorates the late Bob Marley’s 60th birthday. Part concert tribute, part documentary, this film follows the Marley family on their first trip to Ethiopia in 2005 to attend the annual Africa Unite concert. The film features rare footage of the world-renowned reggae icon, and includes appearances by Danny Glover, Angélique Kidjo, Lauryn Hill and many from the Marley family including his mother Cedella Booker and widow Rita Marley.

In addition to its opening night, Focus Jamaica will highlight some of the island’s most celebrated filmmakers, producers, actors and celebrities. Through blockbuster film screenings, Q&As, live interview sessions and interactive workshops CaribbeanTales will pay tribute to talents such as Ras Kassa, Clement Virgo, Franklyn “Chappie” St. Juste, Perry Henzell, Leonie Forbes and Peter Williams among others.

CaribbeanTales announces a summer screening of A Winter Tale at HARMONY NIGHT – a powerful evening of film, music and performance hosted

With the 3rd Annual Film Festival just days away, CaribbeanTales’ Artistic Director Frances-Anne Solomon announces Harmony Night hosted by Dwayne Morgan. This evening of screenings, discussions and performances will celebrate our Jamaican Canadian connections and engage youth through cinema, music videos and guest appearances. Supported by TD Financial Group, Harmony Night will take place on Friday, July 11, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. The evening kicks off with a Meet & Greet reception at the University of Toronto’s Innis Town Hall (2 Sussex Ave.)

“Dwayne has been doing positive work with young people for many years, and has established himself across Canada as a role model for today’s youth,” said Solomon. “We are extremely honoured to have Dwayne participating in Harmony Night.”

Morgan is a well-known poet, entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker. In 1994 he founded Up From The Roots Entertainment to promote the positive artistic contributions of African Canadian and urban influenced artists. Morgan is also founder and producer of the annual spoken word concert When Brothers Speak.

Harmony Night will feature powerful film, documentary and music video screenings including Man Behind the Mic – a television documentary profiling Dwayne Morgan. Following the screening, Morgan will be on hand to answer questions during an intimate talk-back session, and treat audience members to a live performance.

Harmony Night will also be the only chance to see Solomon’s award-winning movie A Winter Tale this summer! This emotional Toronto-based film opened the ReelWorld Film Festival in April 2007, and has spent the last year traveling all over the world, screening to wide acclaim in cities across North America, the Caribbean, Europe and South Africa. Following the screening A Winter Tale actors Peter Williams and Michael Miller will field audience questions and share stories during a special Talk It Out session.

The evening will also feature Mary Wells’ documentary A Winter Tale: Art for Social Change Jamaica 2008 – which gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Solomon’s film impacted audiences in Jamaica. Other screenings include Miss Lou: Then and Now, which profiles famed Jamaican writer and activist Louise Bennett-Coverley. Harmony Night will conclude with an exclusive after party hosted by Leda Serene Films.

The 2008 CaribbeanTales Film Festival, entitled Fokus Jamaica, is presented in association with Jamaica Trade & Invest (JAMPRO), and the Consulate General of Jamaica in Toronto. The festival will run from July 10 – 13, 2008 at the Revue Cinema, Innis Town Hall, and the High Park Library.

The 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival is generously sponsored by: Jamaica National Building Society, Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum, TD Bank Financial Group, Ontario Arts Council, The Art of Catering, SUN TV, Victoria Mutual Building Society, Flow 93.5FM, Now Magazine, b-side, Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto, Big It Up, CKLN 88.1FM, CHRY 105.5FM, CIUT 89.5FM, The Caribbean Camera, We Magazine, Canadian Immigrant Magazine, Caribbean Uprising International, The Ethnic Umbrella and Ackee Tree Jamaican Cuisine.

Invitation to AFRICA UNITE - OUR OPENING NIGHT FEATURE

Legendary Jamaican talents to be honoured, remembered at the 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival’s Night of Tribute

Toronto – July 3, 2008

A number of renowned Jamaican filmmakers and actors will be honoured at a special awards ceremony on Saturday, July 12, 2008 as part of the 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival. Founded by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, this year’s festival, entitled Fokus Jamaica, will highlight the works of Jamaican artists and celebrate the island’s internationally recognized culture. CaribbeanTales’Night of Tribute honourees and award recipients includeLeonie Forbes, Perry Henzell, Clement Virgo, Ras Kassa, Franklyn “Chappy” St. Juste and Peter Williams. The ceremony takes place at River Restaurant (413 Roncesvalles Ave.) at 5:30 p.m.

Beloved long-time Jamaican actress Leonie Forbes will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, which she will accept in person. Known as Jamaica’s First Lady of Theatre and Film, Forbes’ extensive film and television career have made her a cultural icon with fans all over the world. She has graced the silver screen in major Hollywood pictures, performed in dozens of theatrical productions, and worked as a radio broadcaster and programmer in Jamaica. Forbes’ film and television credits include: Shattered Image, Milk and Honey, Passion and Paradise, What My Mother Told Me,Children of Babylon and A Winter Tale.

Also receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award is famed Jamaican cinematographer and director Franklyn St. Juste. “Chappy”, as he is popularly known, is one of the most experienced cinematographers working in the Caribbeantoday. Chappy has worked alongside great filmmakers like Horace Ove and Lennie Little-White, and on a number of films including The Harder They Come, King Carnival andChildren of Babylon.

In addition to Forbes and St. Juste, CaribbeanTales will pay tribute to another trailblazer in Jamaican cinema – the late Jamaican filmmaker Perry Henzell. Made famous for directing, producing and co-authoring Jamaica’s first feature film The Harder They Come, Henzell will be remembered by his fans and peers when the festival screens his film at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 12.

Henzell is to be honoured with a Pioneer Award during the tribute ceremony. His award will be accepted by friend and colleague St. Juste, who worked closely with the late director on The Harder They Come.

World-renowned film, television and music video director Ras Kassa will also be at the festival to receive his Innovation Award. A widely respected industry professional, Kassa earned international recognition for directing Damian Marley’sWelcome to Jamrock music video in 2005. Today, Kassa’s resume boasts nearly 100 music videos, in addition to establishing Jamaica’s cable music station Music Plus and his successful production company Guru Films.

Other award recipients will include Jamaican-Canadian film and television director Clement Virgo and Jamaican-Canadian film and television actor Peter Williams.

Virgo’s selected directorial credits include Soul Food, ReGenesis, Lie With Me, and most recently, the Genie Award nominated Poor Boy’s Game. For his work, Virgo will be awarded with the Jamaica National Building Society Award for Achievement in Cinematic Art.

Peter Williams’ acting credits include the Gemini-nominated television series Neon Rider, Catwoman, Da Vinci’s Inquest,The Chronicles of Riddick, Stargate SG-1 and Dead Like Me. He most recently starred as Gene Wright in Solomon’s award-winning feature A Winter Tale, for which the Montreal Gazette dubbed him “one of the country’s finest actors”.CaribbeanTales will acknowledge Williams’ work with anExcellence in Dramatic Performance award.

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Festival Founder Frances-Anne Solomon is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, director and producer. She is the President and Artistic Director of the two companies she founded: Leda Serene Films and CaribbeanTales.

The 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival is generously sponsored by: Jamaica National Building Society, Appleton Estate Jamaican Rum, TD Bank Financial Group, Ontario Arts Council, The Art of Catering, SUN TV, Victoria Mutual Building Society, Flow 93.5FM, Now Magazine, b-side, Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto, Big It Up, CKLN 88.1FM, CHRY 105.5FM, CIUT 89.5FM, The Caribbean Camera, We Magazine, Canadian Immigrant Magazine,Caribbean Uprising International, The Ethnic Umbrella and Ackee Tree Jamaican Cuisine.

Once more with feeling...

Sorry folks, I forgot two very important workshops: with Ras Kassa and "Chappy" St. Juste. This should be complete... Enjoy.

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FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Thursday July 10, 2008

Opening Night Gala
$20.

6:00 pm: Wine & Cheese VIP Party, River Restaurant
7:30 pm: Shorts Program
Opening Night Feature - Africa Unite by Stephanie Black, The Revue Cinema
11:00 pm: After Party hosted by Jamaican Consulate General, River Restaurant

Friday July 11, 2008

Youth Day hosted by Ras Kassa
$20 for the whole day. Subsidized tickets available for youth & community groups. Call 416 598 1410 for more info

12:00 pm: Literature Alive - Creation Fire
Life & Debt by Stephanie Black, Innis Town Hall - #1
Talk Back
12:15 pm: Literature Alive - Blood Dub and The Matriarch - D'bi.young
Africa Unite by Stephanie Black, Innis Town Hall - #2
Talk Back
3:00 pm: Literature Alive - Fabulous Spaces - Nalo Hopkinson
Wondrous Oblivion starring Delroy Lindo, Innis Town Hall - #1
Talk Back
3:30 pm: Literature Alive - Miss Lou: Then & Now
Raisin' Kane by Alison Duke, Innis Town Hall - #2
Talk Back with Alison Duke

Directing Workshop with Franklyn "Chappie" St. Juste (The Harder They Come)
(Pre-registration required. Please call 416-598-1410)

Harmony Nite
Innis Town Hall. Hosted by Dwayne Morgan
$15 for the entire evening! Subsidized tickets available for youth & community groups. Call 416 598 1410 for more info

5:30 pm Meet & Greet Reception
6:30 pm: Literature Alive: Dwayne Morgan - The Man Behind the Mic
7:00 pm: 'Miss Lou' - Then and Now
Talk Back and Performance by Dwayne Morgan

8:00 pm: A Winter Tale: Art for Social Change - Jamaica 2008 by Mary Wells
8:30 pm: A Winter Tale by Frances-Anne Solomon
Talk It Out! with stars from the award-winning feature - Peter Williams, Michael Miller, Leonie Forbes

11:00 pm After Party hosted by Leda Serene Films

Saturday July 12, 2008

An Afternoon With “Miss Lee” (Leonie Forbes)
$25 for the entire afternoon!

12:00 pm
Lunch with Leonie Forbes @ River Restaurant
1:45 pm Miss Forbes introduces a number of her favorite films.

Miss Lou - Then & Now
Lord Have Mercy!
What My Mother Told Me
Milk & Honey

Music Video Workshop with Ras Kassa (Welcome To Jamrock)
(Pre-registration required. Please call 416-598-1410)

Jamaican-Canadian Media Icons hosted by Andrew Moodie
River Restaurant FREE

2:30 pm :

In Conversation with....Joan Jenkinson
In Conversation with....Hamlin Grange

Night of Tribute
River Restaurant and the The Revue Cinema. $ 35 for the evening.
$10 per film.

5:30 pm : Tribute Ceremony @ River Restaurant

7:00 pm : HeartBeat - Music Is My Life - Tanya Mullings
Life & Debt by Stephanie Black, The Revue Cinema
9:00 pm : Shorts Program
The Harder They Come by Perry Henzell, The Revue Cinema

11:00 pm After Party hosted by CaribbeanTales @ River Restaurant

Sunday July 13, 2008

12:00 pm HeartBeat - The Satalittes.
Glory to Glorianna produced by Gloria Minto. The Revue Cinema $10.00
Talk Back with Executive Producer Gloria Minto

The Art of Clement Virgo.
Hosted by Garvia Bailey
The Revue Cinema $10.00

3:00 pm : Literature Alive - Creation Fire Pt 2 - The Calabash Festival
Poor Boy's Game by Clement Virgo
Talk Back with Clement Virgo

Jamaican Blockbusters
5:00 pm: Literature Alive - HonorBound - Honor Ford Smith
Dance Hall Queen by Rick Elgood The Revue Cinema $10.00
7:00 pm: Literature Alive - In the Shadow Of My Fathers - Rachel Manley
Third World Cop by Chris Browne The Revue Cinema $10.00

9:00 pm: Closing Party. Hosted by Appleton Estate Jamaica Rum
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BUY YOUR TICKETS ONLINE NOW for CARIBBEANTALES 3rd ANNUAL FILM FESTIVAL: 'FOKUS JAMAICA'!

This years film festival, FOKUS JAMAICA, is just 2 weeks away, featuring the best of Jamaican cinema past and present.

Tickets are now available online at the
FOKUS JAMAICA website.

Buy your tickets for our Opening Night Gala: the Canadian premiere of Stephanie Black's award-winning musical feature documentary AFRICA UNITE.

Made to commemorate Bob Marley's 60th birthday - It is the story of the Marley family's first trip to Ethiopia. After the screening there will be a Talk Back session about African Unity!! and we are hoping that Stephanie Black will be able to join us from NYC.

At the Revue Cinema, 400 Roncesvalles Avenue, on Thursday July 10th at 7pm. Tickets $20, including After Party at River Restaurant hosted by the Jamaican Consulate, Toronto.

"AFRICA UNITE is a singular and masterfully executed film that is at once concert tribute, Marley family travelogue, and humanitarian documentary, igniting the screen with the spirit of world renowned reggae icon BOB MARLEY in its every frame. ...There in the capital city of Addis Ababa three generations of Marleys take part in a 12 hour concert like no other, attended by more than 300,000 people from around the world, with the ultimate purpose of inspiring the young generations of Africa to unite for the future of their continent... Includes appearances by UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, actor Danny Glover, world music sensation Angelique Kidjo, Bob Marley’s mother Mrs. Booker, and Princess Mary, granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie. Produced and directed by Stephanie Black, Life & Debt; H 2 Worker, and Executive Produced by Rita Marley, Cedella Marley, Danny Glover, and Joslyn Barnes."

In Other Newz:

** CaribbeanTales launches its Youth and Community Program, inviting inner-city youth to meet celebrity role models and participate in an exciting program of events at the Fokus Jamaica Film Festival

** Tune into Canoe Live (SUN TV) this Friday, July 27 at 5:30pm and catch executive chef Selwyn Richards talk about the great food and drinks attendees will enjoy at the 3rd annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival

** Pick up a copy of The Caribbean Camera, or visit http://www.ccn365.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1608&Itemid=2 to read the paper's interview with festival founder Frances-Anne Solomon

** Check out the CaribbeanTales Film Festival on the front cover of WE magazine's June issue! Pick up your free copy on news stands now!

** Grab a copy of Caribbean Uprising International and The Ethnic Umbella to read their Fokus Jamaica festival previews

** Listen to CIUT 89.5 FM, CHRY 105.5 FM and CKLN 88.1FM starting June 30 to hear our 30-second CarbbeanTales Film Festival radio spots

** Pick up a copy of The Canadian Immigrant's July issue to read an interview with Frances-Anne Solomon

** Tune into Flow 93.5 beginning July 1st to hear our 30-second CaribbeanTales Film Festival radio spot

** Listen to Michael Yarde's show Take 5 on CIUT 89.5 FM the week of July 1st to hear his series of interviews with festival attendees: Leonie Forbes, Clement Virgo, Peter Williams and Frances-Anne Solomon

** Be sure to watch Island Style (Rogers Television Toronto) on July 5th at 3pm to see Jamaican Consul General Anne-Marie Bonner talk about this year's festival.

The 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival presents "Fokus Jamaica", and announces an exciting lineup of Jamaican films, special guests and workshops

The CaribbeanTales Film Festival is set to hit Toronto again this summer!

Created by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, the event is Canada's one and only forum showcasing the best of Caribbean cinema, at home and abroad, classical and creole, digital and celluloid. And this year's focus is on the internationally recognised film and television productions of Jamaica.

Produced in assocation with the Jamaican Consulate, Toronto and Jamaica Trade and Invest (JAMPRO), the 4-day celebration will showcase the rich and vibrant cultural traditions that have made "Brand Jamaica" synonymous with world class cultural innovation, and timeless iconic images of spirited rebellion.

"I never doubted that Caribbean culture had international appeal, because I grew up with the huge impact of Bob Marley on the world’s imagination,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, Artistic Director of CaribbeanTales and Founder of the film festival. “This is why we have chosen to spotlight the importance of Jamaican cinema on the world stage.”

Opening night features the Canadian premiere of AFRICA UNITE. Made to commemorate the late Bob Marley’s 60th birthday the film is a compelling music documentary centered around the Marley’s first family trip to Ethiopia. Following the screening there will be a Talk Back session on African unity

Other highlights will include screenings, Talk Back sessions, and educational workshops aimed at youth and community groups.

CaribbeanTales pays tribute to talents such as: famed music video director Ras Kassa (Welcome to Jamrock), Jamaican-Canadian actor and director Clement Virgo (Poor Boy's Game), cinematographer Franklyn "Chappy" St.Juste (The Harder They Come) Jamaican-Canadian film and television stars Leonie Forbes (Lord Have Mercy, A Winter Tale), and Peter Williams (A Winter Tale, Chronicles of Riddick) and many more..

CaribbeanTales is proud to present a "Perry Henzell Evening", in honor of the late iconic director who created the Caribbean's cult cinematic materpiece "The Harder They Come".

The festival will also include work by new and emerging directors from Jamaica and the Jamaican diaspora. These will be announced shortly and we are also still accepting submissions for this.

The festival will run from July 10-13, 2008 at the Revue Cinema, and at Innis Town Hall.