The postponement of the Reggae Film Festival did not prevent the Jamaica Film Academy from screening 5 films by directors who came to Jamaica for the event, as the JFA partnered with Island Village in Ocho Rios and the Creative Production and Training Center (CPTC) in Kingston to screen two programmes on February 21 and 27 of some of the films entered.
The Island Village screening was sponsored by Blackwell Rums whose CEO, Chris Blackwell is a leading Jamaican film producer. In Kingston, the venue was Jamaica’s leading film production and training agency, the CPTC where CEO Angela Patterson hosted a programme of Films From Around The World as part of the monthly screenings held in the main TV studio.
“Made In Jamaica”, a feature film chronicling the development of the island nation’s popular music culture, will enjoy special billing during the 16th Annual African Diaspora Film Festival (ADFF), which opens at six venues across New York City, from November 28 through December 16, 2008.
NEW YORK, NY, Mon. June 17, 2008: Reggae Sumfest organizers yesterday added top R&B singer, Keyshia Cole and rapper Ne-Yo, to this year’s international night concert for the July 13-19 festival in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Cole, known for hits like `Should A Let You Go,` `Heaven Sent` and `I Remember,` has been added to the line up for Friday, July 18 along with Grammy award –winning rapper Ne-yo, born Shaffer Chimere Smith.
Just one year after being acquired by media giant RJR Communications Group, local cable television company Reggae Entertainment Television (RETV) has embarked on an aggressive drive to penetrate the International market via satellite.
Kimani Robinson, chief executive officer of RETV, disclosed to the Business Observer yesterday that “over $7 million” was invested by the company in a satellite which services the Caribbean, North America, Latin America and Western Europe. He said that RETV’s expansion initiative has already begun in the region.
“RETV’s first step in its expansion mode has been in the Caribbean, and since November last year, is now being viewed in Caribbean territories, including Trinidad & Tobago, the British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Dominica, Antigua, St Vincent and St Maarten. The station is now a growing brand in the Caribbean as it continues to add other Caribbean territories,” said Robinson.
