Three members of the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) attended the Berlin International Film Festival, Berlinale, in Germany this February. One attendant, Nneka Luke, TTFF director of external relations, represented TTFF in the DW Akademie Film Festival and Event Management Workshop. This was the first time a Caribbean film festival was invited to participate in the workshop.
The workshop brought together film festival managers from 11 developing countries who shared information about improving the management of film festivals
Also attending Berlinale, which took place from February 7-17, were TTFF editorial director Jonathan Ali and filmmaker Ryan Khan. Ali was at the Berlinale to scout films for possible inclusion in the TTFF 2013, which takes place from September 18 to October 1. He also engaged in extensive rounds of networking, and met with producers, representatives of other film festivals and other film-industry professionals, with regards to identifying funding and other production, exhibition and distribution-related opportunities for local and regional filmmakers.
Khan attended the Berlinale Talent Campus, a training opportunity for young filmmakers from around the world. He participated in workshops and panel discussions with top filmmaking professionals, including celebrated filmmakers such as Jane Campion and Ken Loach.
Founded in 1951, the Berlinale is one of the top five film festivals in the world, along with the Cannes, Venice, Toronto and Sundance festivals. It is also one of the largest, with over 400 films screening annually.
In a press release from the TTFF, founder and director Bruce Paddington said they were "pleased to have had such a high level of representation at the Berlin International Film Festival."
He added, "The TTFF was also able to participate in a vibrant trade market and such exposure will benefit the growth of the T&T and Caribbean film industry."
�2 For more information visit: www.ttfilmfestival.com