CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) is back celebrating its 18th year and with plenty of incredible films. Taking place on September 6th to the 22nd in Toronto, the festival has made its program more accessible with its virtual festival. This year, CTFF’s theme is Eco-Survivor which seeks to explore the impact of climate change on the Caribbean region and within Canada. However, with the festival’s selection of films with carnival as a central focus, audiences can expect to see how the environment of the festivity impacts identity, culture, tradition and friendship (and we love films about carnival).
Grab your festival pass and check out six films that’ll be screened during CTFF that teach us even more about the festivity we hold close to our hearts.
Jonkonnu Nuh Dead
Directed by Ryan Eccleston
Online exclusive starting Sept 6th
A Jamaican tradition is under threat from the shifting of time and priorities in the country. A man and his troupe fight for the preservation of one of the oldest African retentions in the Americas.
Paria's Pearl
Directed by Suelyn Choo
Sept 7th at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre. Available online starting Sept 8th.
A fabulation of an alienated Chinese identity and it transforms through make-up, fashion, music, dance and performance into being, via Dragon mas. Witness the creation of my Trini-Chinese identity.
Paria’s Pearl is part of the Standout Shorts program.
FANTASIC FRIDAY
Directed by Shari Petti
Sept 8th at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre. Available online starting Sept 9th.
Three high-spirited best friends venture on a wild journey to experience the ultimate Carnival fete. When their night takes an unexpected turn, they must navigate a series of unforeseen challenges that put their friendship to the test.
Fantastic Friday is part of the Standout Shorts program.
Tabanca
Directed by Lauren Marsden
Sept 8th at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre. Available online starting Sept 9th.
Dampened by office life during a wet Vancouver winter, a genderqueer Trinidadian woman, Marlinn, misses out on the chance to celebrate Carnival season back home. Until, one night, they discover that the power of masquerade is within them no matter where they are.
Tabanca is part of the Standout Shorts program.
Iconography: Roy Cape
Directed by Mikhail Gibbings
Sept 9th at the Fleck Dance Theatre. Available online starting Sept 10th.
‘Iconography’ is a fun and educational, deep-dive docu-series. We reveal the untold stories of musical giants and cultural icons in Trinidad and Tobago, through the voices of the legends themselves, many of whom have limited recorded interview material available for public viewing, as a result of rising to prominence before the popularity of recorded video documentaries and the internet.
Iconography: Roy Cape is part of Opening Night and the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine Award & Celebration Night.
Behind the Blue
Directed by Kenderson Noray
Sept 17th at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre. Available online starting Sept 18th.
One of the most revered Blue Devil bands in Paramin, Trinidad tells their stories of triumphs and failures while trying to keep their traditional mas alive.
Behind the Blue is part of The Power of the Truth Closing Night + Awards Ceremony.
