The Government says it will help develop the creative sector as one of several ways to diversify the economy from its current focus on hydrocarbon revenues. It has defined "creative industries" as including eight sectors: music, film, fashion, performing arts (dance, theatre) and visual arts, broadcasting, literature and publishing, and heritage and festivals including Carnival.
Of these, three sectors–music, film and fashion–are receiving special attention through the company CreativeTT, formed by the State in June 2013 to oversee the State's development of these areas, to make them more profitable. In recent weeks, the T&T Guardian explored the options for the fashion industry and today, we shift our focus to the film industry.
Filmmakers can expect a renewed spirit of commitment to developing the local film sector, said Camille Selvon-Abrahams, Film TT's new chair.
Formerly called The Film Company of T&T, the rebranded Film TT not only has a new name, it also has a new board.
Selvon-Abrahams, who is also an animator and the founder of Animae Caribe, hinted at Film TT's general plans for the sector in an interview with the T&T Guardian, without going into any specific detail. Film TT is one of three companies under the state body CreativeTT.
Former board members have been replaced by well known professionals in the film industry, said Selvon-Abrahams. They include film producer Lorraine O' Connor, director Richard ChinFatt, thespian and comedian Errol Fabien and playwright and historian Tony Hall. Selvon-Abrahams explained the team was chosen on the basis of their commitment and practical hands-on experience.
"The group has a very broad range of skills in the field of screenwriting, producing, broadcasting and of course filmmaking and animation," she said.
Under the former board chaired by filmmaker Yao Ramesar, the industry saw the development of several initiatives. While some of those initiatives will continue, Selvon-Abrahams said the industry could expect new ones soon.
She said the board will continue to focus on making great local films, animation, building a sustainable creative sector, creating feasible distribution models, and pushing for T&T to be a dynamic hub for international co-production and location shooting. At the same time, she said the board is open to new trends in technology to remain on par with the rest of the world.
The T&T Guardian was also keen on finding out how Selvon-Abrahams, who is alo the founder of the Anima Caribe.
Immediate plans
Selvon-Abrahams said she first has to do some "domestic tidying." This involves re-negotiating with all staff under the new Film TT structure.
New projects will also be rolled out to help develop upcoming filmmakers, producers, directors, and other stakeholders, she said, but she did not give any specific details.
Film TT plans to consult stakeholders, she said: "We would like for practitioners to work with us to develop a way forward and that will be through a consultation process."
As for the international promotion of local films and the promotion of T&T as a film location, Selvon-Abrahams said now was the ripe time to discuss distribution models.
"The current models are not necessarily working for us, but certainly due to the increase in local film and animation production coming out of the country, we can now make a case for us to develop new models that work in our favour. Our biggest assets ... are the tax incentives that are available for filmmakers, and the production funds available for content creation."
The company will also pursue a more active drive to make film and animation more accessible to all through its community screenings outreach initiative, which allows for films to be seen throughout the year in various communities, said Selvon-Abrahams.
As to funding for film projects, the new chair said:
"There will always be a need for more funding. However we are trying to develop and encourage an atmosphere of self-sustainability. This means that we can provide support to local filmmakers that will not just allow for the creation of fantastic films or animations, but also the ability to sell, promote and negotiate with professionals in the field to make their projects feasible."
Staying on the issue of funding, the T&T Guardian was also keen to find out how Selvon-Abrahams who is also the founder of the Anime Caribe Animation Festival was dealing with now chairing the very company that funds this festival. Was this a conflict of interest we asked? She explained: "The matter of transparency is of utmost importance for me, doubly so as the chair. It is one that is always a consideration to ensure that decisions are made in the best interest of the industry. "My input into the board as chair of FilmTT is to work with the board to ensure that the decisions are inf-ormed ones– to ensure that my experience along with that of the other directors is utilised in the manner that best serves the industry, and ultimately to put forth a balanced plan of action for both Film and Animation that provides the needed outcomes for our practitioners and stakeholders to ensure the progress and competitiveness of the sectors."
She continues: "I am ever mindful of the duties and responsibilities of my position as Chair. They are a potent guiding force for my decisions in and out of the board room–as I understand that these responsibilities must remain firmly planted during my entire term as FilmTT's chairman."
The animator said the business of film is certainly high on the company's agenda and it was going to do all in its power to deliver the Caribbean's best film industry right here from T&T."