New Releases of Caribbean Films

Love Zone is a 30 minutes programme hosted by Alrick McKenzie. The programme celebrates love, a quality that if encouraged can lead to good social relations among people. GENRE: Talk Show/Magazine YEAR: 2022 COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Jamaica LANGUAGE: English PRODUCER: Alrick McKenzie

For 13 weeks, Family Food Battle brings families from across the island to compete against the clock in 90 minutes to create enticing meals from a mystery box. Meals are prepared in their own kitchen in a creative way that will give them the edge to win $50,000 in each challenge. GENRE: Game Show LANGUAGE: English YEAR OF RELEASE: 2022 COUNTRY OF RELEASE: JamaicaPRODUCER: Alrick McKenzie

A priest has his devotion put to the test, as he listens to the confession of an ex convict; one that was incarcerated at a prison he visited years ago. Language: English. Genre: Religious; Narrative ShortDirector: Azriel Bahadoor Year of release: 2021 Country of origin: Trinidad and Tobago Awards: Best Film - ConchShell International, Best Lead - ConchShell International, Best Short Film - Caribbean Tales Film Festival

Out of the darkness comes something beautiful' Shadrach 'Shadi' Burton, is a visual artist from the village of Wotton Waven, in the Roseau Valley, now based at the RoBurton Gallery in Picard, Portsmouth. His work is inspired by the flows of energy that permeate life - from volcanic energy beneath his natal village, to the swirling cyclone, to water vapour that rises with the sun's rays. In this short film Shadi reflects on his distinctive liquid fingerprint style and a street art series that draws beauty from disaster. Language: English Year of release: 2022 Country: Dominica Genre: Feature Documentary Producers: Michael Lees, Adom Philogene Heron, Annabel Wilson and Khade Elwin

‘we see see parts of our communities we have never seen before we see parts of ourselves and others we have never seen before’ ‘we take deep breaths. We sigh. We sigh. We sigh’ ‘we are grateful we have each other’ ‘we are grateful to be alive’ In this re-rendering of Celia Sorhaindo’s powerful poetry collection, ‘Guabancex’ (https://www.papillotepress.co.uk/book…, N’jelle Thorne, Nicole Morson and the Young Skilled Musicians (drummers from Marigot and the Kalinago territory) interpret Sorhaindo’s poems – ‘Hurricane Praxis’ + ‘My Sister and I are Picking Mangoes’ – through movement and music. Language: English Year of release: 2022 Country: Dominica Genre: Feature Documentary Producers: Michael Lees, Adom Philogene Heron, Annabel Wilson and Khade Elwin

A series of 6 biographies centering the artistic practice of Dominican visual artists, poets, and musicians whose art works towards personal and collective healing in the wake of disaster.

"You that can create things ...probably have a vital role to play, to try to have a picture! Not to really think back on what really happen, to the destruction the very bit [detail], but at least something to give you a little solage [consolation, joy]. To give you a little: 'well it happen, you know, but look is dat we make out of it!"... is not easy to look back at Maria and say, 'its okay'". In this short film Alvin 'Vino' Adrien of Morne Rachette shares his world of creativity. He shares his inspirations as an artist, his memories of his elder brother, of Erika (2015) and Maria (2017) and his work of documentation and repair in the wake of these storms. Language: English Year of release: 2022 Country: Dominica Genre: Feature Documentary Producers: Michael Lees, Adom Philogene Heron, Annabel Wilson and Khade Elwin

The ‘Negro Moses’ arrived on the scene on August 17, 1887 in the tiny seaside town of St. Ann’s Bay on the northern coast of Jamaica, fifty-three years after slavery was abolished in that country. In his short life Marcus Mosiah Garvey, would go on to become the world’s foremost Pan-Africanist and, in some eyes, the greatest mass leader of the twentieth century. Producer: Roy T. Anderson Country: United States/Jamaica Release Year: 2022 Language: English Genre: Documentary, Historical, Biography Awards: Winner, Best Feature Documentary (2022) – Zanzibar International Film Festival. Winner, Best Feature Documentary (2022) – Charlotte Black Film Festival Winner, Best Documentary (2022) – Greenwood Film Festival Winner, Best Diaspora Documentary (2021) – Africa Movie Academy Awards Winner, Best Historical Documentary (2021) – Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival Winner, Best Narrator (2021) – Los Angeles Documentary Film Festival Director: Roy. T. Anderson

The Mss Francois Show is a talk show that encompasses candid conversation with a variety of entertainment and uses humor to help others with their “dysfunctional” relationships. The show is hosted by its creator Miss Francois who, after experiencing frustration because of her failed romantic relationships, decided to take her pain and make it her purpose. By being authentic and saying exactly what she is thinking, she engages, entertains, and empowers. So, sit back and relax as your comedic host, with the fashion forward sense of style and her exotic Trini (Trinidadian) accents navigates you through all the transitions in your relationship journey. GENRE: Talk Show YEAR: 2022 COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA/ Trinidad LANGUAGE: EnglishPRODUCER: Patrice Francois

The adventures of twins Lili and Tilou in and around their family’s “lakou” (courtyard) form the basis of teaching children (ages 4 to 9) core skills in science, math, and literacy, while fostering healthy relationships and a love of learning. Each episode focuses on a theme (such as geography, plant growth, or the water cycle). GENRE: Children LANGUAGE: Haitian Creole, 6 re-versioned episodes in French, English subtitles for some COUNTRY OF RELEASE: Haiti YEAR: 2022

With its exceptional digitally mastered audio and video quality, Jussbuss Acoustic offers all music lovers the rare opportunity of hearing their favorite artists deliver acoustic performances up close and personal, backed by a live band in visually stunning settings. GENRE: Caribbean Music YEAR: 2022 COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Jamaica LANGUAGE: English PRODUCER: Pierce Mclean

Kids Talk Anything and Everything allows adults into the minds of children ages 5 to 10 years old. The hosts engage them in conversations about life to learn or laugh about. The weekly show is hosted by popular Jamaican and Hollywood actress, Sherando Ferril and Caribbean comedians, Ian "Ity" Ellis and Glen "Titus" Campbell. While, Ngozi Wright takes over The Kid Carpet segment. GENRE: Talk Show LANGUAGE: English YEAR OF RELEASE: 2022 COUNTRY OF RELEASE: Jamaica

For me nature is the thing that heals, it kind of softens... I think that we still have a lot of healing to be done in Dominica...' 'New shoots of growth... documenting growth is my healing' Carol Sorhaindo is a Dominican artist and designer. Her research interests connect her to place through explorations of the historic threads that entangle transatlantic botanical and human narratives. In this film Carol reflects on her artistic practice, how her work with fraying threads, organic materials and natural dyes speak to a sense of healing. Healing in relation to painful histories of plantation enslavement and settlement. Healing in the aftermath hurricanes. The film introduces her current work, the Nature of Ruins, as we see her creating natural dyes and her work hanging in former sugar mill reclaimed by vines and trees. Language: English Year of release: 2022 Country: Dominica Genre: Feature Documentary Producers: Michael Lees, Adom Philogene Heron, Annabel Wilson and Nicole Morson

Sweet Yellow-heart tells the story of Ms Edna, a family matriarch who is left to raise her grandson, after her daughter leaves for the USA. When her grandson gets older and decides to start a life of his own, Ms. Edna reveals a devastating family secret in a desperate bid to prevent him from leaving, ultimately breaking the bond they shared. Until her dying day, Ms. Edna must find a way to restore her relationship with her grandson and bring her family back together. Language: English. Country of origin: Jamaica Year of release: 2022 Genre: Drama Director: Danielle Russell Awards: World Film Carnival - Singapore, Crown Wood International Film Festival, Druk International Film Festival

‘Music is my life, music is everything to me’ ‘In Dominica… survival supposed to be in you’ In this short film the renowned calypsonian Christopher ‘Chris B’ Sylvester of St Joseph, West Dominica, tells the story of his hit song ‘My Country Still Nice’, which earned rave reviews in the 2018 calypso monarch finals that followed Maria. He takes us on a journey from his home, where music fills each room, to his bus, on which he carries passengers to and from town, earning his daily bread. He reflects on his love of music, the survival ethic of Dominican people, the terrible storm that inspired ‘My Country Still Nice’ and his hopes for the future. Language: English Year of release: 2022 Country: Dominica Genre: Feature Documentary Producers: Michael Lees, Adom Philogene Heron, Annabel Wilson and Khade Elwin

"Fresh food, water, community, a sense of freedom. These are all things that are integral to being alive as a human being... [I]n Dominica...we have them in abundance" In this autobiographical piece film maker and photographer Michael Lees reflects on how the free, untameable and wild nature of Dominica supported the island's healing in Maria's wake. Michael discusses his 'Moving Back, Looking Forward' photography series as it gives recognition to the grace with which Dominicans who had endured so much pieced their daily lives together. He reflects on the power of spirituality, people's hope, gratitude for their island and faith in the future. He discusses his reasons for coming home to Dominica after going away to study, and his bond to his country after surviving Maria alone in the forest - where he was making a film. Language: English Year of release: 2022 Country: Dominica Genre: Feature DocumentaryProducers: Michael Lees, Adom Philogene Heron, Annabel Wilson and Khade Elwin