Jamaica World Cinema Showcase grows

Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter

At next year's Jamaica World Cinema Showcase (JWCS), organiser Lloyd Laing said he will be showing high-quality films that can be made with small budgets.

When the event is staged from January 21 to 23, Laing said, "our drive is to show what you can do with little or no budget at all".

"It goes to show what you can do with one camera, one laptop, the software and you are willing to put in the effort. I hope it can inspire aspiring film-makers in Jamaica that you can do a good production on little or no budget," he said.

Some of the micro-budget films that will be shown are Wah Do Dem, Nurse Fighter, an animated film Sita Sings The Blues, Sisters In Law and a documentary Good Copy, Bad Copy.

The films have either been made in Jamaica or have connections to the country.

Six films

At the film exhibition, Laing said six films would be shown over three days in the two theatres. More than one film would be shown each night.

"That way, in the entire weekend, it gives everybody an opportunity to see all six movies. What we are trying to do this year is not to really overwhelm our patrons," he told The Sunday Gleaner.

"Normally, we would only have one theatre and show the nine films so people wouldn't normally get the opportunity to see all the films."

Laing said JWCS had grown tremendously since it began, but has a far way to go.

"It has grown a lot. It started out of just a personal interest. When we started out it was just to bring some of the films that we ourselves loved," he said.

In the first staging, he said there were about 30 persons but at the last one in April there were about 250 persons in attendance.

"We are taking our time to grow it. Maybe next year we can do it in more than one location. Our dream is to have a multitude of films in multiple venues across Kingston," said Laing, who is also the Reggae News Corporation CEO.

Growth evident

He said the event had also grown in terms of the support that JWCS had been getting. He said there had been support from D. Bisasor and Associates and Lascelles Wines.

In addition, Laing said the event is being endorsed by Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture. He said the United Kingdom High Commission has also shown some interest.

"We have gotten support in kind from companies in Jamaica and in the States. We did not get a lot of cash sponsorship. If we can get the right sponsorship we would like to make the film exhibition a free event because we understand the fiscal constraints," he told The Sunday Gleaner.

When the event is held, Laing said the patrons will be given a treat.

"We will be showing six fabulous films that can stimulate and inspire our industry," he said.