Famed Jamaican film and television director Ras Kassa to be honoured in Toronto at the 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival

Toronto – June 9, 2008 - World-renowned film, television and music video director Ras Kassa will be in Toronto this summer, when his prolific career will be honored at Frances-Anne Solomon’s 3rd Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival.  Often called “The Guru”, this award-winning Jamaican director, producer, writer and entrepreneur is internationally known for his unique directorial slate of mainstream television and music videos.

Kassa will be one of several Jamaican talents honored at the festival’s Night of Tribute on Sunday, July 13, 2008.  Additionally, on Saturday, July 12, Kassa will take center stage during an interactive video screenings and Q&A session at the Revue Cinema from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Thanks to the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto (CHFT), whose contribution has sponsored a block of tickets, a number of inner-city youth from local community organizations will be invited to participate in this up-close-and-personal event.

“After working with CaribbeanTales in the past, and witnessing the emotional response of Toronto’s youth to Ms. Solomon’s film A Winter Tale, we were eager to partner with the organization again,” said Tom Clement, Executive Director of CHFT.  “We feel it’s important that young people have access to this particular program, and the opportunity to interact with a role model like Ras Kassa.”

Branded by his unique directorial style and vibrant emotion, Kassa rapidly became a much sought-after music video, film and television director. 

In 2005 Kassa earned international recognition when he directed Damian Marley’s Welcome to Jamrock music video.  The song garnered huge airplay on radio stations around the world, as well as a number of music video award nominations and wins.  Today, Kassa has created close to 100 distinctive videos, and worked with a host of popular artists including Stephen Marley, Willie Nelson, Gentleman, Beenie Man and Sean Paul.

In addition to his work as a director, Kassa has worked for years behind the scenes at several Jamaican cable music stations, including RE TV and Music Plus, which he founded in 2000.  He has created, produced, directed and hosted a number of popular television programs most notably, The Trod on Music Plus. 

In 2007, Kassa founded Guru Films, a production company based in Kingston, Jamaica.  Guru Films has a regular team of highly experienced production professionals.  Closely bonded, the team has created several chart topping videos and productions which have aired all over the world.

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

New this year is our Community Outreach and Sponsorship program whereby businesses are invited to facilitate the participation of youth from underprivileged communities in the festival.

The program includes screenings, Q&As, live interview sessions and educational workshops.  CaribbeanTales will pay tribute to the work of talents such as iconic Jamaican actor Leonie Forbes (Milk & Honey, A Winter Tale), Jamaican Canadian filmmaker Clement Virgo (Lie With Me, Poor Boy's Game), cinematographer Franklyn "Chappy" St. Juste (The Harder They Come), the late director Perry Henzell (The Harder They Come), Canadian film star Peter Williams (The Chronicles of Riddick, Catwoman) and many 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, Jamaica National Building Society, SUN TV, TD Bank Financial Group, Victoria Mutual Building Society, Flow 93.5FM, Now Magazine, Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto, CKLN 88.1FM, CHRY 105.5FM, CIUT 89.5FM, The Caribbean Camera, We Magazine, Canadian Immigrant Magazine, Caribbean Uprising International, The Ethnic Umbrella, Western Union, Ackee Tree and Blue Mountain Bistro.