Actor Marcos James, who will be one of the presenters at the inaugural Black River Film Festival in St Elizabeth between June 28-30, says he is looking forward to contributing at the event because of the island’s rich cinematic potential. “Jamaica is known for many things, including track and field, music, culinary arts, and so on. But I think the film industry is having a renaissance, and I think we are on the brink of Jamaica becoming the film capital of the Caribbean.
And I say this with a lot of confidence, because apart from me doing a presentation on master class called ‘crafting character’, based on my experience as an actor, I’m also part of the judging panel for the films that have been sent in. I have seen the entries and they are amazing. A lot of the entries were from Jamaica and the quality was spectacular,” he told the Jamaica Observer .
The festival takes place at St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Lola’s on the Beach and will also feature Connie Chiume ( Black Panther ); film producer Justine Henzell; actor Cornelius Grant; actress, director and producer Angie Le Mar; director and producer Jeremy Zimmerman; film commissioner of Jamaica Jackie Jackson; film critic Damian Levy; actress Sundra Oakley; president of the St Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce, Black River Chapter, Kaydian Myers Brown; and more. The festival is being directed by Dr Ava Eagle Brown. Besides the panel discussions, film screenings, and other offerings, there is also.