BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Barbados will host the inaugural Cross-Continental Forum (CCF) later this month, attracting movie actors, film producers, and international media executives.
The April 15-19 CCF is a pioneering initiative of CaribbeanTales Media Group and Imagine Media International in association with The Faculty of Culture, Creative and Performing Arts at the Cave Hill campus of the University of The West Indies (UWI).
The organizers said that acclaimed actress CCH Pounder, celebrated film producer Paul Garnes, international media executives, and 26 high-level producers from Canada, the United Kingdom, South Africa, and several Caribbean countries would attend the forum.
They said that Ava Duvernay’s critically acclaimed film Origin will open the forum with a screening followed by an interactive talk-back hosted by CCH Pounder.
”We are excited to bring together a diverse group of international professionals to facilitate new co-ventures,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, the chief executive officer at CaribbeanTales Media Group.
“CCH Pounder’s presence will undoubtedly enrich our discussions and inspire collaboration as we explore new avenues for co-production and storytelling,” she said, adding, “Paul Garnes’ immense contributions to the industry and commitment to diversity make him a truly inspiring figure. We look forward to the valuable insights and perspectives he will share with our attendees”.
CCH Pounder has left an indelible mark on film and television with a career spanning over four decades.
She is perhaps best known for her role as Dr. Angela Hicks in the medical drama series ‘ER,’ which earned her critical acclaim and garnered widespread recognition among audiences worldwide.
Pounder’s portrayal of Detective Claudette Wyms in the acclaimed police drama series ‘The Shield further solidified her reputation as a powerhouse performer, earning her multiple award nominations and accolades.
In addition to her television work, CCH Pounder has delivered memorable performances in a diverse range of films, including Bagdad Café, Avatar, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and Home Again, which was filmed in Trinidad and Tobago. Her ability to inhabit complex characters with depth and authenticity has established her as one of the most respected actresses in the industry.
The Cross-Continental Forum is supported by the British Film Institute (BFI), the Canada Media Fund (CMF), the Federal Development Agency for Southern Ontario, the International Trade Centre (ITC), the Trinidad and Tobago Film Co. (FilmTT) and Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI).
It is the first of its kind and will serve as a unique platform for fostering partnerships, networking, and exploring co-production possibilities in the UK, Canada, Africa, and the Caribbean.
“Our goal is to facilitate highly interactive networking opportunities resulting in successful long-term co-production partnerships,” said Lisa Wickham, President and chief executive officer at Imagine Media International Limited.
“We expect the Cross Continental Forum to be a cornucopia of strong, untold, diverse stories and incentivize the regional film industry through these partnerships.
The head of BFI International Relations, Agnieszka Moody, said, “We are delighted to support the Cross Continental Forum in Barbados.
“It is a great opportunity for UK-based filmmakers to develop connections with filmmaking talent across the Caribbean region, which has 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 to find their way to screens worldwide”.
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