Toronto to host the Canadian premiere of Stephanie Black’s Africa Unite at the 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival

Toronto’s 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival will pay tribute to Jamaica’s vibrant culture this summer.  Stephanie Black’s powerful Bob Marley feature Africa Unite will kick off the four-day festival.  The Festival’s opening night screening will mark the Canadian premiere of Africa Unite as Toronto joins a long list of international cities to show the film. 

This year’s Festival, entitled Fokus Jamaica will be launched on Thursday, July 10, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Revue Cinema.  An additional screening of Black’s acclaimed feature film Life and Debt will take place at 9 p.m., followed by the Film Festival’s Opening Night Reception at 11 p.m.

There will be a second screening of Africa Unite on Friday, July 11th for an audience of Inner-City Toronto youth as part of Fokus Jamaica’s Youth and Community Afternoon.

“We are very excited to be bringing this film to Canada,” said Festival Founder and Curator Frances-Anne Solomon.  “Bob Marley has become synonymous with Jamaican culture, and selecting Africa Unite to open our festival seemed like a natural union.”

Fokus Jamaica is presented in association with Jamaica Trade & Invest (JAMPRO) and the Consulate General of Jamaica in Toronto.  The 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival will run from July 10 – 13, 2008 at the Revue Cinema, Innis Town Hall and the High Park Library. 

As a new component to this year’s festival, CaribbeanTales is introducing educational Talk-Back sessions which will take place after each screening.  These gatherings allow for open discussion between audience members and Festival guests/organizers when thoughts, opinions and questions about the film can be addressed.

Directed by Black, Africa Unite commemorates the late Bob Marley’s 60th birthday.  Part concert tribute, part documentary, this film follows the Marley family on their first trip to Ethiopia in 2005 to attend the annual Africa Unite concert.  The film features rare footage of the world-renowned reggae icon, and includes appearances by Danny Glover, Angélique Kidjo, Lauryn Hill and many from the Marley family including his mother Cedella Booker and widow Rita Marley.

In addition to its opening night, Fokus Jamaica will highlight some of the island’s most celebrated filmmakers, producers, actors and celebrities. 

Through screenings, Q&As, live interview sessions and educational workshops, CaribbeanTales will pay tribute to talents such as Oliver Samuels, Ras Kassa, Clement Virgo, Franklyn “Chappy” St. Juste, Perry Henzell, Leonie Forbes and Joan Jenkinson among others.

Festival curator Frances-Anne Solomon is an award-winning filmmaker, writer, director and producer. She is the president and artistic director of the two companies she founded: Leda Serene Films and CaribbeanTales.  Recent projects include the award-winning feature film A Winter Tale (for Telefilm Canada/CHUM Television); Heart Beat, (Bravo!); Literature Alive; and the Gemini-nominated Lord Have Mercy!, Canada's landmark multicultural sitcom for Vision TV, Toronto1, APTN and Showcase.

CaribbeanTales, a non-profit organization, is Canada's premier multimedia company producing educational films, videos, radio programs, audio books, theatre plays, web sites and events that showcase the rich heritage of Caribbean culture worldwide.

The 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival is generously sponsored by: Jamaica Trade & Invest (JAMPRO), Consulate General of Jamaica in Toronto, Flow 93.5FM, SUN TV, CKLN 88.1FM, CHRY 105.5FM, CIUT 89.5FM, Now Magazine, The Caribbean Camera, We Magazine, Canadian Immigrant Magazine, Caribbean Uprising International and The Ethnic Umbrella.