Filmmakers and film enthusiasts descended in scores at the third staging of Shot List for Sunday Matinee-styled film festival. The event, coordinated by the Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA) and the UK-based film exhibition and distribution agency, We Are Parable, was organised to mimic the feel of international festivals. And they chose the Sunken Garden at the Hope Botanical Gardens to execute the third iteration of the festival.
Shot List continues to grow in popularity, and captivated audience with a diverse reel of films, workshops, and panels, with the hopes of cementing Jamaica’s place on the global film industry scale. There was an overwhelming attendance of youth, who have chosen or have an interest in various areas of filmmaking. The workshops – which quickly sold out – covered critical aspects of cinematography, a special workshop from Kingston Monologues Slam on the art of ‘acting’; as well as useful tips on producing a music video.
These were led by industry leaders Gabrielle Blackwood, Fela Oke, and Shari Bedasse. The workshop block was completed by the former film commissioner at JAMPRO, Renee Robinson who brought the relevant focus on the business of film. The overwhelming response to these workshops underscores the burgeoning talent and interest in the film industry within the Caribbean.
As the ten-hour film festival progressed, the highlight of was undoubtedly the film screenings, but the animation block of films created a fun experie.