JAMPRO to Host Open Day for Stakeholders in Film and Creative Industries

Stakeholders within the film and creative industries are being invited to attend an Open Day to be hosted by Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), at its New Kingston offices, on Wednesday, October 1.

The event, which will last from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., is targeting all players in film, music, theatre, dance, visual and fine arts.

Making the announcement on September 23 at a special briefing held at JAMPRO, President, Diane Edwards, said the idea is to reach out to practitioners across the disciplines, “so that we can engage them and really speak to them about (further developing the industry).”

The move will be JAMPRO’s latest initiative to promote Jamaica’s film and creative industries as well as to announce a number of upcoming events.

Film Commissioner and Creative Industries Manager at JAMPRO, Carole Beckford, said persons are being encouraged to “come in, sign up so we can talk and do business match-making internally.”

In the meantime, JAMPRO will be partnering with Jamaican international actor, Paul Campbell, who will be in the island from October 13 to 17.

Ms. Beckford said he will select 12 young persons to work with on script production, editing and film production. He will also be talking to industry players.

The Film Commissioner said Mr. Campbell will be placing much emphasis on this activity, given his concern that practitioners have not been able to effectively take production from script to screen and make it worthwhile.

“I think this is a great opportunity to engage with Paul Campbell and really learn from someone who has been out there in the international market and really learn from his experiences,” Ms. Edwards said.

Turning to another upcoming initiative, Ms. Beckford said JAMRPO intends to host a film festival in Kingston in July 2015.

She explained  that the festival will seek to showcase all the talent and creativity Jamaica has to offer.

“Jamaican content is still one of the most sought after cultural content across the world, and we have so many areas,” Ms. Beckford pointed out.

She noted that for the festival, “we would like to have the screening of a massive film and that will cost money…if there is somebody out there who would like to screen something in Jamaica, we would be happy to have them,” she said.