Kingston, Jamaica: – Flashpoint Film Festival is an annual three-day Caribbean film festival held at The Caves, Negril designed to maintain focus on developing the Caribbean film industry. With recent advances in the digital diaspora and the advent of affordable hi-definition camcorders, the independent films in the Caribbean reflect the rich cultural legacy of our society and the tremendous social and cultural upheaval of the digital age. Flashpoint Film Festival sparks the impending visual revolution in the Caribbean and resolves to become the region’s leading festival for independent films. The festival gives aspiring and existing filmmakers the opportunity to submit original works to be showcased at the festival and be viewed by the local and international public, their peers and invited members of the international film industry.
Flashpoint Film Festival was conceptualised in 2004 by Jamaican filmmaker Paul Bucknor (Firefly Films) and The Caves proprietors, Greer-Ann and Bertram Saulter. The three reminisced the success of Jamaican films such as “The Harder They Come”, “Dancehall Queen” and “Third World Cop” however, noticed the lack of new local films emerging. Thus a festival was designed to encourage Jamaicans to make new films and to expose new talent. And with the blessing of the resorts co-owner Chris Blackwell, Flashpoint Film Festival was born. Flashpoint Film Festival aims to be the principal forum for film and television in the Caribbean.
Flashpoint had their inaugural festival July 30-31, 2005, naming it the Flashpoint Film and Music Festival. The festival showcased Jamaican films and musical acts. Now in 2006, the Flashpoint team is incorporating some exciting new elements. They have changed their name to Flashpoint Film Festival, in order to maintain a focus on developing our film industry, an industry that is far more of a fledging than our internationally revered music industry. However, fresh and exciting musical acts will still be on the programme to add to the richness of the festival.
The Festival has now been extended into a three-day festival to accommodate the organisers’ anticipation of a bigger programme and has been moved to December 1 – 3 in order to benefit from the cooler climate and the peak of the Jamaican tourist season.
The organisers have also decided to broaden the Flashpoint concept, officially declaring it a Caribbean film festival that also welcomes international film submissions with a Caribbean element .
The deadline for this year’s film submission is November 10, 2006 and Flashpoint has already received over 20 film entries for consideration. Films submitted so far have come from Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, Belize, Trinidad, Venezuela, Brazil, USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, and South Africa. The Flashpoint team will review all films and decide which ones “make the cut” to be showcased at the festival.
This year, the festival kicks off on Friday, December 1st at 5:30pm. The evening will include a Charity Gala Premiere and the showcasing of films with live musical interludes. On the second and third day, the festival opens with industry-specific workshops. These workshops are designed for persons who are either already in the film industry or who have an interest in being a part of it and will be hosted by members of the international film industry. Patrons will be able to browse kiosks and booths set up to showcase Jamaican products and services on sale. There will also be plasma screens strategically placed around the venue showcasing short films and music videos. As the sun sets, feature films, documentaries and short films will be showcased. Each evening ends with networking mixers and live musical performances.
The 2006 staging of the annual Flashpoint Film Festival runs from Friday, December 1 – Sunday, December 3 at The Caves, Negril.
For further information please visit: www.flashpointfestival.com or www.myspace.com/flashpointfilmfestival
For Interviews or additional info, please contact:
Alison Young
[email protected]
876-365-3734
