Cross Continental Forum to connect Caribbean, UK, Canadian and African Film & TV Producers

CaribbeanTales Media Group, Imagine Media International and The University of The West Indies Launch Applications for the Cross Continental Co-Production Forum to be held in Barbados.

Toronto, ONTARIO – CaribbeanTales Media Group, Imagine Media International and The University of The West Indies, Cave Hill, Barbados, are thrilled to announce the upcoming Cross Continental Forum, a dynamic co-producing forum and incubator that will bring together industry leaders, professionals, producers and innovators from the film industry for a collaborative exchange of ideas and opportunities to co-produce projects. This year’s guiding focus will be on decolonizing the co-production process in the Global South.

The Cross Continental Forum is set to take place in April 2024 in Barbados. This forum, supported by the British Film Institute (BFI), the Canada Media Fund (CMF) and the Federal Development Agency for Southern Ontario is the first of its kind and will serve as a unique platform for fostering partnerships, networking, and exploring co-production possibilities among the UK, Canada, Africa and the Caribbean.

Key highlights of the event include:

Engaging Panel Discussions: Thought-provoking sessions featuring experts and thought leaders discussing the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in co-producing within the film industry.
Networking Opportunities: Ample time for attendees to connect with peers, potential collaborators, and industry influencers. Networking sessions will be strategically incorporated to facilitate meaningful interactions.
Pitch Sessions: A dedicated space for participants to showcase their projects, ideas, and capabilities, providing an opportunity for potential coproductions to be explored.
Interactive Workshops: Hands-on workshops led by industry experts, offering practical insights and skills relevant to coproducing in today’s dynamic market.
Exhibition Area: An exhibition featuring cutting-edge technologies, services, and solutions that can enhance co-production efforts.

The Cross Continental Forum aims to create a collaborative environment where high-level producers, experts and professionals from Canada, the UK, Africa and the Caribbean can explore synergies, share expertise, and build partnerships that will drive innovation and growth within the film industry.

There will be no program registration fees for the applicants and travel and accommodations for this program will be provided to all successful applicants. Participants will be expected to cover the cost of producing their 30 second trailer/teaser and all other associated expenses.

“We are excited to bring together a diverse group of professionals and experts in the film industry for the Cross Continental Forum. This forum is designed to facilitate meaningful connections and discussions that will lead to successful coproductions and advancements within our industry,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO at CaribbeanTales Media Group.

“We expect the Cross Continental Forum to be a cornucopia of strong, untold, diverse stories. Our goal is to facilitate highly interactive networking opportunities that result in successful long-term production partnerships.” said Lisa Wickham, President & CEO at Imagine Media International Limited.

Agnieszka Moody, BFI Head of International Relations, says: “We are delighted to support the Cross Continental Forum in Barbados. It is a great opportunity for the UK-based filmmakers to develop connections with filmmaking talent across the Caribbean region with rich cultural ties to the UK and Canada. Through this initiative, we look forward to enabling compelling, diverse stories told collaboratively from a new contemporary perspective finding their way to screens around the world.”

Registration and applications for the Cross Continental Forum is now open to all producers from Canada, the UK, South Africa and the Caribbean. For more information and to register, please visit www.creatorsofcolour.com/cross-continental-forum/.

About CaribbeanTales Media Group

Built over 20 years, The CaribbeanTales Media Group is the only media group in Canada that provides an ecosystem of screen-based activities that serve Black Canadian, and culturally diverse audiences. CTMG is Black-owned, staffed and controlled. Our Board leadership and staff are mainly Black and are culturally diverse. CTMG provides a pipeline of activities from creation to distribution that aims to uplift, enrich, promote and monetize Black and culturally diverse film and television content for audiences.

Founded by award-winning filmmaker and Academy member Frances-Anne Solomon, CTMG includes: CaribbeanTales Inc., a registered Canadian Charity; CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution, a film distribution entity; the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, now celebrating 20 years; Caribbeantales-TV a VOD streaming service; the Creators of Colour Training (CCI), a year-round development and production hub for Creatives of Colour; and CaribbeanTales Media Group Productions, our production arm.

About Imagine Media

Imagine Media International Limited is a full-service film, TV and multi-media production Company, based in Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa. Founded by award-winning Producer-Director & Media Personality Lisa Wickham, the Company has a slate of film and TV productions across all media platforms, event management, marketing & PR Services and training & consultancy. Imagine Media has developed and coordinated projects and conducted training in Europe, North America, Africa and several Caribbean countries.

About the BFI

We are a cultural charity, a National Lottery distributor, and the UK’s lead organisation for film and the moving image.   Our mission is:

To support creativity and actively seek out the next generation of UK storytellers
To grow and care for the BFI National Archive, the world’s largest film and television archive
To offer the widest range of UK and international moving image culture through our programmes and festivals – delivered online and in venue
To use our knowledge to educate and deepen public appreciation and understanding
To work with Government and industry to ensure the continued growth of the UK’s screen industries

Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.   The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Tim Richards.  From 16 February, Jay Hunt OBE became the new BFI Chair for a term of four years.

International cultural collaboration and business development is key to the BFI’s ten-year Screen Culture 2033 vision, with its international work incorporating the UK Global Screen Fund as well as National Lottery funds and initiatives.

The UK Global Screen Fund (UKGSF) is a £7m per year fund designed to boost international development and distribution opportunities for the UK’s independent screen sector. Financed by the UK Government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport and delivered by the BFI, the UKGSF supports international business development, co-production, promotion and distribution.  Since launching in April 2021, the UKGSF has awarded over £6 million to 40 international co-productions, supporting partnerships with 30 territories including: Argentina, Chile, China, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Mexico, New Zealand, Poland, Spain, Ukraine and USA.

The BFI’s National Lottery funded UK-focused activities and policy collaborations with international partners as well as different types of initiatives at international festivals, markets and industry forums, ranging from market stands and pavilions to producer delegations participating in tailored international programmes and workshops.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Natalie Jacob

+1 (868) 305-6382 / ask.imaginemedia@gmail.com