TT Film Festival gets $200,000 cheque

MINISTER of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts Randall Mitchell presented a $200,000 cheque to the TT Film Festival (TTFF) on Monday afternoon.

In a release on Monday, the Ministry said the cheque was presented to Kamille-Ann Lynch-Griffith of FILMCO, at the Ministry’s office at the International Waterfront Complex, 1A Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.

During the small cheque distribution ceremony, the Minister praised the TTFF for producing exceptional virtual film for the festival thus far. He said he anticipates more innovative ideas from the committee in the coming years. “Given the challenges confronting the creative sector, it is indeed heartening to see that the TT Film Festival has found a way to remain connected to audiences by continuing to share stories and show artistic expression through film.” Mariel Browne co-founder and interim executive director of FILMCO thanks the ministry for continued support especially in this time where the covid19 pandemic has created challenges in the local film industry. She said, “We look forward to expanding and deepening our relationship as we move forward.”

Over the past four years, the TTFF has received grant funding of over $1.8 million to bolster the local film industry. The TTFF has delivered numerous outputs including a special Carifesta XIV 2019 Film Festival with intense workshops, panel discussions, and movie premieres. As part of its programming in 2019, the Ministry provided support through a partnership with FILMCO for the Film Call Grant. Three producers were awarded $250 000.00 each to produce their first feature-length film.

The Culture and Creative Arts Fund is geared towards providing support for the creation, development, and sustainability of TT’s culture, art forms, and expression through the vehicle of the performing arts such as drama, dance, and music, literary and fine arts.