International Caribbean Stars To Shine At CaribbeanTales International Film Festival Launch

TORONTO, Ontario August 24, 2017 – As Canada celebrates its 150th birthday and delights in all its diversity this year, the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) will mark its 12th annual festival, early next month, with a street party celebrating the legacy, the people and the beauty of the Caribbean.

On Wednesday, September 6, Clinton Street, at College Street, in Toronto, will be magically transformed with the sights and sounds of the Islands, co-hosted by the Consulate General for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.

International Caribbean stars of film and television will greet their many fans there — at the CTFF’s opening gala and film premieres.

Music superstar, Machel Montano, whose documentary, Machel Montano: Journey of a Soca King, will open the Festival; actor, Joseph Marcell, best known as “Geoffrey” the butler from the hit television sitcom, Fresh Prince of Belair; Barbados’ soca queen, Alison Hinds; Jamaica’s Sheldon Sheperd; and Trinidad and Tobago’s Nickolai Salcedo are among the luminaries who will be at the College Street party, and at the Talkback after the screening.

They will also attend the Encore Screening slated for September 7, 2017 at Cineplex Morningside Cinema, 785 Milner Ave, Scarborough.

“After twelve years we can look back to our most humble beginnings — as well as look forward to the great narratives that are still to be explored through the power of film for audiences in Canada and worldwide.” said Frances-Anne Solomon, Executive Director, CTFF.

“It was hard to pick this year’s program, but those we’ve chosen will not only entertain, they will also challenge our audiences to consider our legacy as Caribbean peoples here and throughout our Diaspora. We need to think about what we’re leaving now, for future generations.”

This year’s Festival boasts 14 feature films and 30 short films, from 18 countries – all featuring stories centering on Caribbean legacy. Throughout the two-week event, many themes will be presented, including Bajan Excellence, Legacies of Race, Roots of Culture, Legacies of the Land, #BlackLoveMatters, CineFAM (Women in film), and #INTERSECT – Queer and Trans People of Colour.

As the street party winds down, fans will be welcomed at The Royal Cinema, 608 College Street, Toronto, to see two films: the world premiere of Machel Montano: Journey of Soca King and Battledream Chronicles.

Machel Montano: Journey of Soca King chronicles Trinidadian soca artist Montano’s growth from a child star to his reign as the world’s Soca Monarch. It also showcases him collaborating with Grammy Award-winning songwriters and producers, like Angela Hunte and Diplo.

“We are proud to be co-hosting the Canadian Premiere screening of this extraordinary film at the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival,” said Cherrone Mokund, Consul General for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Toronto.

“Machel Montano is known internationally and by sharing his story, we all learn more about what he has done to uplift and showcase our Caribbean cultural legacy to the world.”

The short film, Battledream Chronicles, is an animation pilot, voiced by Caribbean stars. It tells the story of Syanna, a young slave in a futuristic world where plantations are video games. She and her team of rebels must hack the system to gain their freedom.

St. Lucian-British actor, Joseph Marcell, plays arch-villain Zeus Thunderking; while Jamaica’s queen of stage and screen, Leonie Forbes voices Kerberia, the computer generated servant. Trinidad’s Nickolai Salcedo plays the rapacious Torquemada, Barbadian soca music artist, Alison Hinds plays Leto, Syanna’s mother; Jamaica’s Sheldon Shepherd, who is known for his lead role in Better Mus’ Come, plays the role of the charismatic Teacher. The central character of Syanna is played by talented Guyanese newcomer, Nuriyyih Gerrard.

For more information and to buy tickets: visit the festival’s website: www.caribbeantalesfestival.com.