With a tradition established over three years since inception by the Jamaica Film Academy, the Reggae Film Festival announces the staging of the 2011 event to be held in Montego Bay, Jamaica February 22-26, 2011. The REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL has continued to attract productions from all over the world that are part of a growing genre of films depicting aspects of Jamaican culture, music and history and the ways in which this music culture has impacted the world. The event includes premieres, seminars, competitions, new digital media work, live music performances and star-studded gala events.
In the decades since 1972 when Jamaica’s first feature film “THE HARDER THEY COME” exposed reggae to the world on its soundtrack, a growing number of films have continued to be made that showcased some of the films that have been made about Jamaica’s reggae music and culture. In 2008 these films were gathered together in one place for the first ever REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL -- a showcase of international films incorporating aspects of Jamaica's music, culture and film-making talent. Organized by the JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY with screenings in Jamaica's capital city Kingston over 5 days, the event was organized through a collaboration with Jamaican film maker and film festival organizer, BARBARA BLAKE HANNAH, working with British film archivist PETER GITTINS of REGGAE FILMS UK, and with support from private sector sponsors and the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth & Sports.
JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY INAUGURATED
The 2008 REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL inaugurated the JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY that inducted six film pioneers to guide and inspire the development and production of more Jamaican films and increase the nation’s creative expressions in film. Chair of the JFA is noted Jamaican actor CARL BRADSHAW, and members include SALLY HENZELL (widow of Perry Henzell), documentary film maker CYNTHIA WILMOT and Producer MARCIA FORBES. General membership is composed of film fans, friends and film makers.
