Chief judge of Northern Caribbean University's recent film festival, Kim-Marie Spence (right), gets a hug from Viviene Bedward, administrative assistant at the school.
African drums could be heard from a distance, breaking the silence of Mandeville. It was the sign that the third staging of the Department of Communication Studies' film festival hosted at the Michael Lecture Theatre, at the Northern Caribbean University (NCU) had begun.
This cosmopolitan event, billed under the theme 'Imagine that', created quite a stir in Mandeville and among film producers closer to Jamaica's capital, including the University of Technology's (UTech) film students. There was even interest from the wider Caribbean community, with several entries from independent producers.
"We certainly, I would have to say, upped the ante this year, we have judges in the persons of Kim-Marie Spence, film commissioner, JAMPRO; Ransford Ricketts, CVM programme manager; Winford Williams from Onstage; Gillian McDaniel, JAMPRO; and Nicola Carara, independent film producer; high-calibre productions and an evening of excitement and the lighting of Wish Balloons- simply awesome - all set against an African-inspired decor," said Elaine Oxamendi Vicet, department chair for communication studies.
The festival showcased student productions in the categories of short feature films, promotional videos, trailers and commercials, which were all carefully guided by Dannie Barrett, who emceed the proceedings.
The short feature films had the audience laughing, bewildered and in some instances awestruck.
"I simply would not have missed it," said Oliver Watt, director of communications in the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture, representing Minister Olivia Grange.
"I am pleased with the evening's event, the entire experience was worthwhile and speaks to one that was well planned and organised; the calibre of the productions demonstrated that the future of the film industry is certainly secure and, like the Wish Balloons that we lit tonight, will definitely take flight," he added.
no easy decisions
The judges' overall remarks on the productions were positive, and in the words of chief judge, Kim Marie Spence, "It wasn't easy making the decisions, as the films were very good. We would like to make special mention of Entreaty by TY-Production; we were engaged by it immensely and we would also commend Gordon Alert, film instructor at UTech, for the effort he made with the posters that accompanied the two short films that were entered, as presentation is very important. The students show great potential and I will be back next year." That being said, the winners were announced as follows: Jason 'Beans' Sawyers, producer of the HIV commercial, won most of the awards, including best overall film, best edited film, best sound and lighting as well as best promo DVD. Best Actor went to Demphsen, for his role as the pastor in the short feature film LAN Party. Nazila Mais copped the best actress award and Yorkwin Walters walked away with the best trailer and storyline award for his entry, Mission 339. The judges pick for the evening went to TY-Productions' Unconditional Love, which got the best short film award.
Nicola Carara, independent film producer and judge, after a beautiful red-carpet affair, said "tonight we have seen great work, especially the editing, and there is a lot of potential, it is awesome what the Department of Communication Studies at Northern Caribbean University is doing. By giving students an opportunity to display their talent, skills and expertise, this will definitely contribute to their development and that of the film industry."
Communication Symposium
The film festival brought to a close the Department of Communication Studies' annual communication symposium, which included an intercollegiate debate, the donning of the prestigious department Burgundy Jacket to the top male and female students in communication studies, and the launch of two textbooks, which were written by members of the department faculty.
Among the specially invited guests were Dr Herbert Thompson, president of Northern Caribbean University; Dr Marilyn Anderson, Dean, College of Humanities, Behavioural and Social Sciences; Dr Carol Fider, chair of the Department of English and Modern Languages; Darren Murphy, president for the United Student Movement; and Tishauna Mullings, president for the academic club, College of Humanities, Behavioural and Social Sciences. There were also other executives from the student movement and the college clubs.
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