FREDERIKSTED — The University of the Virgin Islands Department of Communication, Art, Theater and Music will host its inaugural weekend-long Caribbean Film and Artistic Cinematic Festival on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix starting today.
The cultural festival will bring students and community together to celebrate some of the best in Caribbean film and runs through tomorrow.
The festival will feature original films created by UVI students and local film enthusiasts. Caribbean artists and filmmakers from the Virgin Islands, Georgia, Texas, Colorado, Puerto Rico and Barbados will screen their work and host presentations.
A panel of judges will select winners in several categories such as short documentaries, commercials, short video and music. UVI students and community filmmakers will be judged separately.
“We have been planning this [festival] for almost three months and it’s going to be so much fun,” said Asia Vetter, a senior Communications major.
The festival will also feature interactive “Sip and Paint” sessions on each day. The sessions will be conducted by visual artists Don Matthews from Atlanta and Danica David from St. Croix.
“Response to this first-time film event has been extraordinary, and the film artists are eager to showcase their talents.,” said Sharon Albert Honore, UVI Communication Department chair and festival coordinator. “The festival is the primary fundraiser for our department and we are extremely grateful to the USVI community, local businesses and festival participants.”
Honore said that she received help from as far away as Los Angeles and Denver and gives special thanks to creative consultants, Margarita Sweet and Fraser Kershaw.
“I’m excited to be part of this Caribbean cultural event,” CBSUSVI correspondent, Kellie Meyer, said.
The general public is invited to attend this event for the cost of $20: which includes an all-day pass to morning activities and afternoon film screenings.
Tickets for the “Sip and Paint” sessions are $40 and cover the costs of art supplies and instruction. Interested persons may pay at the event or purchase tickets online.
The proceeds from the Caribbean Film and Artistic Cinematic Festival will go toward funding media equipment and scholarships for UVI communication majors.
To donate visit the UVI websitewww.uvi.edu.
The Caribbean Film and Artistic Cinematic Festival is made possible by generous sponsors, including: U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, Virgin Islands Council on the Arts (VICA), Crucian Gold, V.I. Lottery, Cape Air, 1First Bank, CBS and ABC USVI News, and Economic Development Authority (EDA).
For more information, contact Sharon Honore, Communication Department Chair, at 225-326-4514.