The Trinidad and Tobago Film Company (FilmTT) has awarded small Film Marketing and Development Grants to nine local filmmakers to advance their productions and careers. These grants are investments in the marketing and development of projects, including (but not limited to) attending regional or international film festivals, markets, incubators, labs or workshops. All projects will take place during the period May 1st – December 31st, 2017. Based on evaluation, the following projects were selected to receive Government funding:
- Michael Mooleedhar – social media marketing for his upcoming feature length film Green Days by the River
- Leslie-Ann Wills-Caton – marketing of FIXERtales, a Trini-Caribbean television series
- Abigail Hadeed – inclusion of Spanish and French subtitles in Play the Devil for distribution to foreign audiences
- Lesley-Ann MacFarlane – production of 60 sec. sizzle reel for new feature film Scattered
- Tenielle Newallo – social media marketing for The Cutlass
- Everard McBain – online and international distribution for the animated short Celflux Reluctant Heroes: The Secret Weapon
- Mariel Brown – production of a trailer for the feature length film Unfinished Sentences
- Clarence Carver Bacchus – attend the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival to seek distribution agreeements for the Green Screen’s library of content
- Christopher Din Chong – attend ScriptFest 2017 and take part in the Great American Pitchfest including masterclass, one-on-one meetings and consultations for his slate of films
The Open Call, held in March 2017, was available for application to residing nationals or permanent residents of Trinidad and Tobago with at least three film credits for three different productions.FilmTT reviewed the applications for specific and focused clear objectives, to achieve measurable outcomes, whether attending a film festival, market, incubator, lab or workshop, or advancing a film-related project.
Each filmmaker will use their funding differently but all with the aim of bringing regional and international attention to their project. Their marketing and development activities with the grant assistance will contribute to the sustainable development of the local film industry.
As with all FilmTT projects and initiatives, these Small Marketing and Development Grants are a way of helping local filmmakers advance their careers but also allows the country to earn revenue from the export of film products.
More about the Open Call:
CRITERIA FOR ELIGIBILITY
- This Call was open to all residing nationals and permanent residents of Trinidad and Tobago who are 18 years or older.
2. Entries may be submitted by individuals or groups (see FAQs for more details).
3. Applicants must have at least three film credits for three different productions on the film résumé.
4. All genres of film projects are eligible, including animation, comedy, drama, action, horror, music video, documentary, and experimental.
5. The submitted film shall not imitate or plagiarise any copyrighted work. The entry shall be the intellectual property of the participant, not violating intellectual property rights of others including patents, registered utility model rights, design rights, trademarks, used music copyright, or any other intellectual rights protected by relevant laws and regulations or personal rights (name and likeness. etc.).