CARIBBEAN FILM COMPANY LANDS MAJOR DISTRIBUTION DEAL

CaribbeanTales and Third World Newsreel form powerful people-focused partnership
NEW YORK (June 26, 2011) - Following the first CaribbeanTales New York Film Showcase in New York, a Caribbean company has moved to announce a major deal with a veteran New York-based distributor to promote Caribbean culture to global audiences.
Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO of the Barbados-based CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), explained that its new partnership with New York's Third World Newsreel (TWN) links the region's premier sales and distribution company for Caribbean films with a seasoned educational distributor in a deal which will allow both companies to distribute each other's Caribbean-themed content across their respective networks.
Third World Newsreel (TWN) is a long established alternative media arts organization that fosters the creation, dissemination and appreciation of independent film and video about people of color and issues of social justice.
CaribbeanTales films will immediately benefit from TWN's wide access to the North American educational markets in both the United States and Canada, while TWN films will be distributed internationally by CTWD, and benefit from the Barbadian company's access to the Caribbean market, including regional and international marketing initiatives and festivals.
Solomon described the partnership's mutual benefits: "Third World Newsreel's important catalog and huge contact base will be an invaluable addition to our own business, because we will have more focused reach into the educational market. The deal will also substantially increase the size of our catalog in the international marketplace."
Dorothy Thigpen, Executive Director of TWN, whose catalog includes "The Other Side of the Water," the journey of a Haitian rara band in Brooklyn, and "Sweet Sugar Rage," the story of a popular Jamaican women's troupe who use improvisation and theater as consciousness-raising tools, said the new partnership will also enhance her organization's catalog.
"The Caribbean is an important market for us and this deal melds seamlessly with our mission to effect social change while encouraging people to think critically about their lives and also the lives of others," said Thigpen. She added that both TWN and CTWD films not only entertain and educate, but "propel people into action."
About CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution
CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution is the first full-service film distribution company in the English-speaking Caribbean, and aims to become the go-to solution for producers and buyers of Caribbean-themed content. The company holds marketing events through the CaribbeanTales Film Festival Group, and provides co-production services to producers. CTWD was founded by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and its principals include creative industries expert Dr. Keith Nurse, economist and businessman Dr. Terrence Farrell, media personality and producer Lisa Wickham, and filmmaker and writer Mary Wells. CTWD is a member of the BIM Ventures family of entrepreneurs.

For further information, visit www.caribbeantales-worldwide.com.

MIGHTY SPARROW ALIGHTS ON SATURDAY'S FILM SHOWCASE

NEW YORK (June 9, 2011) - The "Calypso King of the World" will add to the star power assembled for the CaribbeanTales New York Film Showcase this weekend.

Legendary calypso musician, The Mighty Sparrow, will feature in a 30-minute question and answer session with distinguished Caribbean-American scholar and author Dr. Elizabeth Nunez who is also Trinidadian.

Sparrow will appear this Saturday, June 11 at the Spike Lee Screening Room at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus. He will follow the afternoon screening of "Calypso Dreams," arguably the best film ever made about calypso and in which the Caribbean crooner stars.

"We are especially honored that such an iconic musician has agreed to be a part of our showcase along with an equally distinguished literary giant," said Frances-Anne Solomon, founder and CEO of CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), producers of this weekend's showcase.

The afternoon session of the day-long Saturday showcase will be presented by CTWD in partnership with New-York based educational distributor Third World Newsreel. The joint afternoon program, which starts at 2:30 p.m., includes CTWD's "Calypso Dreams" and TWN's "The Other Side of The Water," which follows a group of young immigrants who take an ancient music from the hills of Haiti and reinvent it on the streets of Brooklyn.

Other highlights of the day include a Filmmakers' Brunch at noon featuring a keynote address by Mark Walton, The Africa Channel's executive vice president of sponsorship and corporate development.

An evening "Rum and Fishcakes" gala reception precedes the screening of the riveting documentary "Fire in Babylon", the inspiring story of how a West Indies cricket side, one of the most gifted teams in sporting history, triumphed over its colonial masters.

Other short films from up and coming Caribbean-American filmmakers, including "Dominion" (Barbados) and "Jerk Chicken" (Jamaica), will be screened.

CTWD, a member of the BIM Ventures family of entrepreneurs, has hosted two film festivals in Barbados, another in Canada, produced training workshops for filmmakers, and now has more than 60 films in its catalog.

The New York Showcase is FREE to the public, however, patrons must RSVP to secure their spots.

The CaribbeanTales New York Film Showcase which brings the Caribbean Tourism Organization's Caribbean Week in New York to a close, is supported by The Africa Channel, Barbados Tourism Authority, Bay Gardens Resorts (Saint Lucia), Brammer's Subway of Brooklyn, Bullzii Marketing, Caribbean Cookbook by Rita G. Springer, Caribbean Lifestyle TV, Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Consulate General of Barbados in New York, Caribbean International Network (CIN TV), Cockspur Rum, Creatively Speaking, cynergy spa, Distribution Specialist Michelle Materre, Falco Ink, Funsation4 Media, Great Huts Resort (Jamaica), Ocean Style Magazine, Spanish Court Hotel (Jamaica), Third World Newsreel, Tribeca Film, and ZYNC TV.

For further information, visit www.caribbeantales-events.com, www.youtube.com/ctwdfilms or www.caribbeanweekny.com.

About CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution

CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution is the first full-service film distribution company in the English-speaking Caribbean, and aims to become the go-to solution for producers and buyers of Caribbean-themed content. The company holds marketing events through the CaribbeanTales Film Festival Group, and provides co-production services to producers. CTWD was founded by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and its principals include creative industries expert Dr. Keith Nurse, economist and businessman Dr. Terrence Farrell, media personality and producer Lisa Wickham, and filmmaker and writer Mary Wells. CTWD is a member of the BIM Ventures family of entrepreneurs.

ENDS

TELEVISION EXECUTIVE TO KEYNOTE CARIBBEAN FILM SHOWCASE

For Immediate Release 

NEW YORK (June 5, 2011) - Veteran Caribbean-American television executive Mark Walton of The Africa Channel will keynote the luncheon session of the first CaribbeanTales New York Film Showcase.

The Film showcase is set for the Spike Lee Screening Room at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus in New York at the weekend.

The inaugural one-day event, which brings the Caribbean Tourism Organization's Caribbean Week in New York to a close on Saturday, June 11, will feature a stirring keynote address by Walton on "Why A Strong African Diaspora Makes Sense."

"The UN has designated 2011 as the International Year for People of African Descent and this should be a time for all people who claim Africa as their ancestral homeland to take time to understand and appreciate the impact we have made on the global society," asserted Walton. He contends the time has come "to celebrate our diversity as people of African descent."

The Filmmakers' Brunch begins at noon and includes panel discussions, networking and the screening of top Caribbean-produced films.

Walton, who is The Africa Channel's executive vice president of sponsorship and corporate development, postulates the Caribbean region has huge potential to tell its own story to the world since the diversity of cultures in the region is not yet known on the world stage.

"But when the voices of the Caribbean are heard, they will make a statement. The world hasn't yet heard or seen the real stories of the Caribbean. The emergence of a film industry can transport the imagery beyond sun, sea and surf to people, culture and heritage," declared Walton.

Walton, a Yale graduate who traces his roots not only to Africa but also to Barbados, has more than 20 years of experience in advertising sales, television, film distribution, marketing and general management. He spent more than 10 years with CBS in New York, holding various management positions in sales, marketing and finance.

By the time he left CBS, he was responsible for marketing network television news, daytime, late night and children's programs to a roster of major advertisers and their ad agencies with billings in excess of $75 million.

Frances-Anne Solomon, founder and CEO of CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), announced her organization was honored to welcome Walton to the showcase.

The day's activities, which run from noon to 10 p.m., also include a gala "Rum and Fishcakes" reception and the screening of the riveting documentary "Fire in Babylon", the inspiring story of how a West Indies cricket side, one of the most gifted teams in sporting history, triumphed over its colonial masters.

Earlier in the day, guests will watch "Calypso Dreams," arguably the best film ever made about calypso as it explores the roots of kaiso in Trinidad & Tobago.

A few short films from up and coming Caribbean-American filmmakers' will also be screened. They include "Dominion" (Barbados), "Jerk Chicken" (Jamaica), and "The Other Side of the Water" (Haiti).

CTWD, a member of the BIM Ventures family of entrepreneurs, has hosted two film festivals in Barbados, another in Canada, produced training workshops for filmmakers, and now has more than 60 films in its catalog.

The New York event is FREE to the public, however, patrons must RSVP to secure their spots.

The organizers report the response for the inaugural event has been robust and urged patrons to avoid missing out by responding sooner rather than later.

The Showcase is supported by the The Africa Channel, Barbados Tourism Authority, Bay Gardens Resorts (Saint Lucia), Brammer's Subway of Brooklyn, Bullzii Marketing, Caribbean Cookbook by Rita G. Springer, Caribbean Lifestyle TV, Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Consulate General of Barbados in New York, Caribbean International Network (CIN TV), Cockspur Rum, Creatively Speaking, Distribution Specialist Michelle Materre, Falco Ink, Funsation4 Media, Great Huts Resort (Jamaica), Ocean Style Magazine, Spanish Court Hotel (Jamaica), Third World Newsreel, Tribeca Film, and ZYNC TV.

For further information, visit www.caribbeantales-worldwide.com, www.youtube.com/ctwdfilms or www.caribbeanweekny.com.

About CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution

CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution is the first full-service film distribution company in the English-speaking Caribbean, and aims to become the go-to solution for producers and buyers of Caribbean-themed content. The company holds marketing events through the CaribbeanTales Film Festival Group, and provides co-production services to producers. CTWD was founded by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and its principals include creative industries expert Dr. Keith Nurse, economist and businessman Dr. Terrence Farrell, media personality and producer Lisa Wickham, and filmmaker and writer Mary Wells. CTWD is a member of the BIM Ventures family of entrepreneurs.
 
For more Info contact: Bevan Springer + 1 201 861-2056. bevan@marketplaceexcellence.com

CALYPSO DREAMS AND FIRE IN BABYLON TO SCREEN IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK

NEW YORK (May 29, 2011) - The stage is set for the first CaribbeanTales New York Film Showcase at the Spike Lee Screening Room at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus in New York on Saturday, June 11.
 
The inaugural one-day event, which brings the Caribbean Tourism Organization's
Caribbean Week in New York to a close, gets underway at 12 noon with a Filmmakers' Brunch followed by panel discussions, networking and the screening of two riveting films.
 
Frances-Anne Solomon, founder and CEO of CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), announced her pleasure at securing a facility named in honor of an outstanding filmmaker. "We expect the Caribbean film showcase will become an annual event where we can celebrate the work of top Caribbean films and filmmakers," said Solomon, who added that the showcase was also designed to integrate African American filmmakers into the "Caribbean conversation."

The brunch brings together filmmakers from the US, the Caribbean and its Diaspora who will explore synergies in areas of mutual interest.

The day's activities, which run from noon to 10 p.m., also include a gala "Rum and Fishcakes" reception and the screening of the riveting documentary "Fire in Babylon", the inspiring story of how a West Indies cricket side, one of the most gifted teams in sporting history, triumphed over its colonial masters. Earlier in the day, guests will watch "Calypso Dreams," arguably the best film ever made about calypso as it explores the roots of kaiso in Trinidad & Tobago.

CTWD, a member of the BIM Ventures family of entrepreneurs, has hosted two film festivals in Barbados, another in Canada, produced training workshops for filmmakers, and now has more than 60 films in its catalog.

The New York event is FREE to the public, however, patrons will have an opportunity to make pledges, donations or to bid on a selection of exciting silent auction items.

The Showcase is supported by the Barbados Tourism Authority, Brammer's Subway of Brooklyn, Caribbean Tourism Organization, the Consulate General of Barbados in New York, Caribbean International Network (CIN TV), Cockspur Rum, Distribution Specialist Michelle Materre, The Africa Channel and ZYNC TV.

For further information, visit www.caribbeantales-worldwide.com, www.youtube.com/ctwdfilms or www.caribbeanweekny.com.

About CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution 
CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution is the first full-service film distribution company in the English-speaking Caribbean, and aims to become the go-to solution for producers and buyers of Caribbean-themed content. The company holds marketing events through the CaribbeanTales Film Festival Group, and provides co-production services to producers. CTWD was founded by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and its principals include creative industries expert Dr. Keith Nurse, economist and businessman Dr. Terrence Farrell, media personality and producer Lisa Wickham, and filmmaker and writer Mary Wells. CTWD is a member of the BIM Ventures family of entrepreneurs.
 
Source: CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution  
 
Contact: Bevan Springer + 1 201 861-2056
                bevan@marketplaceexcellence.com

Newz and Goods

Hit For Six! opens the Travelling Caribbean Film Showcase in Barbados

Alison Saunders' timeless award winning film “Hit For Six”, distributed by  CTWD, will be the opening feature of the 3rd Travelling Caribbean Film Showcase when it screens in Barbados on Monday May 30th at the Errol Barrow Center for Creative Imagination. The film is the first Barbadian film to be included in the TCFS, and premiered with Spanish subtitles in Havana, Cuba last November at a screening hosted by the TCFS and the Barbados Embassy in Havana.

CaribbeanTales CEO Frances-Anne Solomon expressed pride and satisfaction at this achievement. "TCFS is a great initiative as it provides exposure for films throughout the English, Spanish, French and Dutch speaking Caribbean and even as far as Columbia." She also noted that this followed the sale of Hit For Six! to MNET, a major South African television network which was another breakthrough for Barbadian, and for Caribbean film.

Written and directed by Alison Saunders Hit For Six! is a fictional account of a playboy West Indies cricketer who must fight the demons of his past, including a match fixing charge, in order to find  love and earn the respect of his estranged father, a former great West Indies player.

"We are really delighted to be selected to break yet another barrier for Barbadian film by being subtitled in French and Spanish and included in the Caribbean Travelling Film Showcase. We believe this is critical as we seek greater integration with other language areas in the Caribbean and Latin America." said Alison Saunders, the film maker and the Managing Director of Blue Waters Productions.

CHILDREN OF GOD in Cinemas in NYC from May 20th.

CaribbeanTales screened this beautiful film to a sold out audience at CaribbeanTales 2011 in Barbados in March 2011. Now, we are delighted to congratulate director Kareen Mortimer on  the US theatrical Release of this brave and stunning film. Showtimes are 1:00 pm, 3:00pm, 5:05pm, 7:10pm and 9:35pm.

WHAT : CHILDREN OF GOD  by Kareen Mortimer
WHERE: The Quad Cinema @ 34 West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011
WHEN: From Friday May 20th, 2011 for one week.
Showtimes: 1:00, 3:00, 5:05, 7:10, 9:35 

Tickets can be purchased in-person at the Quad, or online at www.quadcinema.com. The Opening Weekend will be filled with parties, Q&A's and panels. 

More on CHILDREN OF GOD (movie website)

Children of God
104 min./USA
 
Against a backdrop of scaremongering and hate, the film introduces Jonny (Johnny Ferro), a creatively-blocked art student struggling with an obsessive-compulsive disorder that sees him cringe away from any human touch; Romeo (Stephen Tyrone Williams) a young man struggling with his obligations towards his family and his band; and the devoutly religious Lena Mackey (Margaret Laurena Kemp) an anti-gay activist whose hypocritical preacher husband has just given her a sexually-transmitted disease. On the Bahamian island of Eleuthera, these three people's paths collide, with life-changing results.
 
CLICK HERE TO VIEW TRAILER 

CTO WELCOMES CARIBBEANTALES NEW YORK FILM SHOWCASE

For Immediate Release 

Sylma Brown-Bramble of the Caribbean Tourism Organization. Photo credit: Margot Jordan Photo available here: http://tinyurl.com/sylma

NEW YORK (May 12, 2011) - The CaribbeanTales New York Film Showcase was described as a "fantastic addition" to Caribbean Week in New York by the island region's tourism body.

The Caribbean Tourism Organization, made up of the region's governments, enthusiastically welcomed the Film Showcase to the huge Caribbean Week festivities in New York and hinted the partnership may extend to other markets where similar festivals are produced.

Addressing community leaders and members of the North American press in Manhattan, Sylma Brown-Bramble, the Caribbean Tourism Organization's Director of The Americas, said New York generates the largest volume of business to the Caribbean and her organization was pleased that CaribbeanTales had become a new addition to the program of activities this year.

"Anything that happens in the Caribbean affects the tourism industry, positively or negatively - CaribbeanTales is one of the very positive (aspects) of the tourism industry," said Brown-Bramble.

The CTO executive saw the emergence of a new promotional tool for the region: "As the film industry takes wings in the Caribbean, CaribbeanTales is helping us to promote the (beauty of the) region."

The Film Showcase, an all-day affair, will screen on Saturday, June 11. The location will be announced shortly. 

Dr. Keith Nurse, Chairman, CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution. Photo Credit: Che Rodriguez
Photograph available here: http://tinyurl.com/drkeithnurse

Dr. Keith Nurse, Chairman of CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), saw synergies developing in the partnership with the CTO, especially with destination branding possibilities.

"In many respects, this is a marriage that will last a lifetime ... and we look forward to collaborating with the CTO in (New York), Toronto and other markets," pledged Dr. Nurse.

Director of the Shridath Ramphal Centre for International Trade Law, Policy and Services with the University of the West Indies in Barbados, Dr. Nurse said as the first and only distribution company for Caribbean audio-visual content, "we feel that we are making a critical contribution to the expansion of the creative sector."

The one year-old Barbadian company, a member of the BIM Ventures family of entrepreneurs, has hosted two film festivals in Barbados, one in Canada, training workshops for filmmakers, and now has more than 60 films in its product catalog.

"We (are on the move) to identify new locations, new destinations to showcase Caribbean work and to create the channels through which Caribbean content can be marketed."

CTWD's CEO Frances-Anne Solomon, a former BBC producer of 15 years, said it was cathartic to be part of the building of a movement "so powerful and important as the telling of our stories in film." "This has become my passion and my life's work, and what I feel is important is not just that we make films, but that we sell them internationally. That's why we started the distribution company - to put Caribbean film on the world stage alongside Hollywood, Bollywood, Nollywood and the British film industry."

Barbados' Consul General at New York Lennox Price congratulated Solomon and her team for their work thus far, and viewed the press launch as one of the steps towards the development of the film industry in Barbados, in keeping with the Government's thrust of developing the cultural industries.

His comments were also echoed by Campbell Rudder, the Barbados Tourism Authority's new Vice President of Marketing in the United States who believes much fruit remains to be borne by pitching Caribbean locations and presenting indigenous filmmakers for international projects.

For further information, visit www.caribbeantales-worldwide.com, www.youtube.com/ctwdfilms or www.caribbeanweekny.com.
 
About CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution
CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution is the first full-service film distribution company in the English-speaking Caribbean, and aims to become the go-to solution for producers and buyers of Caribbean-themed content. The company holds marketing events through the CaribbeanTales Film Festival Group, and provides co-production services to producers. CTWD was founded by award-winning filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon, and its principals include creative industries expert Dr. Keith Nurse (Chair), economist and businessman Dr. Terrence Farrell, media personality and producer Lisa Wickham, and filmmaker and writer Mary Wells. CTWD is a member of the BIM Ventures family of entrepreneurs.

Contact: Bevan Springer + 1 201 861-2056
              bevan@marketplaceexcellence.com