CaribPR Wire

CaribPR Wire, MIAMI, FL, Dec. 06, 2017: Which top Caribbean television series concept will claim the Flow People’s Choice Awards selected from this year’s CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTI) program?  That is the question that is top of mind as Flow customers across the region add their voices to the selection process. There are only 10 voting days left and there is still time for customers to cast their vote.

Voting began on November 3^rd, 2017 to determine which of four original television series concepts, is the viewer’s top favourite show to watch.  The show with the highest number of votes will be crowned the top viewer choice award and wins a $2,500 USD prize. Customers can vote online HERE at: http://caribbeantales-tv.com/flows-people-choice-awards-2017-edition/

To cast your vote, make sure to watch the trailers and choose one of the four (4) shortlisted television series featured below:

1. Lexo Street by Trinidad’s Roger Alexis, the well-known creator of the beloved puppet “Santana” and other characters. His submission is a no-holds barred comedic dramatization of life on Lexo Street.
2. Inframundo described as not for the faint-hearted is an adventurous, unpredictable and full of mystery film project produced by Leticia Jones from the Dominican Republic.
3. Life or Death by Cristobal Krusen of Belize chronicles the twists and turns of a scandal-ridden presidential election in the small country of Costaguana as a son fights to save his father’s legacy.
4. The Agency by Paul O’Beale and Rick Elgood of Jamaica highlights the life and times of Ellen Thompson, a Jamaican single mother, who opens up her own agency to recruit and train rising entertainment stars.

Flow customers will have the exclusive opportunity to see these pilots aired on the Flow 1 network across the region late 2018/2019.  By casting your vote, you let us know the type of original Caribbean programming you want to see. The announcement of the 2017 Flow People’s Choice Award winner is scheduled for December 18^th, 2017.

John Reid, CEO of C&W Communications, the operator of Flow said, “This is Flow’s second year as lead sponsor of Caribbean Tales and we are proud of our continuously strengthening association. We are huge advocates of fostering an enabling environment for filmmakers in the region and across the Caribbean diaspora and we are intent on delivering high-quality, original Caribbean content which is relevant, relatable and appeals to our audiences.”

Reid also said, “By giving our Caribbean customers the ability to vote for their favourite television series and producer through the Flow Caribbean People’s Choice Award we have created a win-win opportunity for both film-makers and viewers – a highly interactive way for our customers to help select the Caribbean content that they really want to watch on TV and also support for the development of the Caribbean film industry.”

Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO of Caribbean Tales said, “We’re delighted to be in partnership with Flow with this amazing initiative to create original television programming for our region.   The People’s Choice Award is a great interactive tool to measure the appeal of our original programming.  With this initiative, as well as the recent airing of the reality program ‘Me on My TV’, showing the filmmakers’ journey to our ‘Big Pitch’ in Toronto, Canada, we are proud of our collaborative efforts to bring the next generation of Caribbean filmmakers to Flow’s audiences.”

About THE CARIBBEANTALES MEDIA GROUP:

CaribbeanTales is a group of companies that produces, markets, and sells Caribbean-themed film and television content for global audiences. It includes CaribbeanTales Inc, a registered Charity based in Toronto, Canada; the Caribbean-Tales International Film Festival (CTFF) that produces events around the world; the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator Program, a development and production hub for original Caribbean content; CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), the largest full-service distribution entity dedicated to the monetisation of Caribbean content; CaribbeanTalesFlix, our production arm, and CaribbeanTales-TV, a video on demand platform.

About C&W Communications

C&W is a full-service communications and entertainment provider that delivers market-leading video, broadband, telephony and mobile services to consumers in 18 countries. Through its business division, C&W provides data center hosting, domestic and international managed network services, and customized IT service solutions, utilizing cloud technology to serve business and government customers.

C&W also operates a state-of-the-art submarine fiber network – the most extensive in the region.

Learn more at www.cwc.com, or follow C&W on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

About Liberty Global

Liberty Global is the world’s largest international TV and broadband company, with operations in more than 30 countries across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. We invest in the infrastructure that empowers our customers to make the most of the digital revolution. Our scale and commitment to innovation enable us to develop market-leading products delivered through next-generation networks that connect our over 24 million customers who subscribe to over 50 million television, broadband internet and telephony services. We also serve over 10 million mobile subscribers and offer WiFi service across 10 million access points.

Liberty Global’s businesses are comprised of two stocks: the Liberty Global Group (NASDAQ:LBTYA) (NASDAQ:LBTYB) (NASDAQ:LBTYK) for our European operations, and the LiLAC Group (NASDAQ:LILA) (NASDAQ:LILAK) (OTC Pink:LILAB), which consists of our operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Liberty Global Group operates in 12 European countries under the consumer brands Virgin Media, Unitymedia, Telenet and UPC. The Liberty Global Group also owns 50% of VodafoneZiggo, a Dutch joint venture, which has 4 million customers, 10 million fixed-line subscribers and 5 million mobile subscribers. The LiLAC Group operates in over 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean under the consumer brands VTR, Flow, Liberty, Más Móvil and BTC. In addition, the LiLAC Group operates a sub-sea fiber network throughout the region in over 40 markets.

For more information, please visit www.libertyglobal.com.

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CaribPR Wire, MIAMI, Dec. 05, 2017: Which top Caribbean television series concept will claim the Flow People’s Choice Awards selected from this year’s CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTI) program?  That is the question that is top of mind as Flow customers across the region add their voices to the selection process. There are only 10 voting days left and there is still time for customers to cast their vote.

Voting began on November 3^rd, 2017 to determine which of four original television series concepts, is the viewer’s top favourite show to watch.  The show with the highest number of votes will be crowned the top viewer choice award and wins a $2,500 USD prize. Customers can vote online HERE at: http://caribbeantales-tv.com/flows-people-choice-awards-2017-edition/

To cast your vote, make sure to watch the trailers and choose one of the four (4) shortlisted television series featured below:

1. Lexo Street by Trinidad’s Roger Alexis, the well-known creator of the beloved puppet “Santana” and other characters. His submission is a no-holds barred comedic dramatization of life on Lexo Street.
2. Inframundo described as not for the faint-hearted is an adventurous, unpredictable and full of mystery film project produced by Leticia Jones from the Dominican Republic.
3. Life or Death by Cristobal Krusen of Belize chronicles the twists and turns of a scandal-ridden presidential election in the small country of Costaguana as a son fights to save his father’s legacy.
4. The Agency by Paul O’Beale and Rick Elgood of Jamaica highlights the life and times of Ellen Thompson, a Jamaican single mother, who opens up her own agency to recruit and train rising entertainment stars.

Flow customers will have the exclusive opportunity to see these pilots aired on the Flow 1 network across the region late 2018/2019.  By casting your vote, you let us know the type of original Caribbean programming you want to see. The announcement of the 2017 Flow People’s Choice Award winner is scheduled for December 18^th, 2017.

John Reid, CEO of C&W Communications, the operator of Flow said, “This is Flow’s second year as lead sponsor of Caribbean Tales and we are proud of our continuously strengthening association. We are huge advocates of fostering an enabling environment for filmmakers in the region and across the Caribbean diaspora and we are intent on delivering high-quality, original Caribbean content which is relevant, relatable and appeals to our audiences.”

Reid also said, “By giving our Caribbean customers the ability to vote for their favourite television series and producer through the Flow Caribbean People’s Choice Award we have created a win-win opportunity for both film-makers and viewers – a highly interactive way for our customers to help select the Caribbean content that they really want to watch on TV and also support for the development of the Caribbean film industry.”

Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO of Caribbean Tales said, “We’re delighted to be in partnership with Flow with this amazing initiative to create original television programming for our region.   The People’s Choice Award is a great interactive tool to measure the appeal of our original programming.  With this initiative, as well as the recent airing of the reality program ‘Me on My TV’, showing the filmmakers’ journey to our ‘Big Pitch’ in Toronto, Canada, we are proud of our collaborative efforts to bring the next generation of Caribbean filmmakers to Flow’s audiences.”

About THE CARIBBEANTALES MEDIA GROUP:

CaribbeanTales is a group of companies that produces, markets, and sells Caribbean-themed film and television content for global audiences. It includes CaribbeanTales Inc, a registered Charity based in Toronto, Canada; the Caribbean-Tales International Film Festival (CTFF) that produces events around the world; the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator Program, a development and production hub for original Caribbean content; CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), the largest full-service distribution entity dedicated to the monetisation of Caribbean content; CaribbeanTalesFlix, our production arm, and CaribbeanTales-TV, a video on demand platform.

About C&W Communications

C&W is a full-service communications and entertainment provider that delivers market-leading video, broadband, telephony and mobile services to consumers in 18 countries. Through its business division, C&W provides data center hosting, domestic and international managed network services, and customized IT service solutions, utilizing cloud technology to serve business and government customers.

C&W also operates a state-of-the-art submarine fiber network – the most extensive in the region.

Learn more at www.cwc.com, or follow C&W on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

About Liberty Global

Liberty Global is the world’s largest international TV and broadband company, with operations in more than 30 countries across Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. We invest in the infrastructure that empowers our customers to make the most of the digital revolution. Our scale and commitment to innovation enable us to develop market-leading products delivered through next-generation networks that connect our over 24 million customers who subscribe to over 50 million television, broadband internet and telephony services. We also serve over 10 million mobile subscribers and offer WiFi service across 10 million access points.

Liberty Global’s businesses are comprised of two stocks: the Liberty Global Group (NASDAQ:LBTYA) (NASDAQ:LBTYB) (NASDAQ:LBTYK) for our European operations, and the LiLAC Group (NASDAQ:LILA) (NASDAQ:LILAK) (OTC Pink:LILAB), which consists of our operations in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Liberty Global Group operates in 12 European countries under the consumer brands Virgin Media, Unitymedia, Telenet and UPC. The Liberty Global Group also owns 50% of VodafoneZiggo, a Dutch joint venture, which has 4 million customers, 10 million fixed-line subscribers and 5 million mobile subscribers. The LiLAC Group operates in over 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean under the consumer brands VTR, Flow, Liberty, Más Móvil and BTC. In addition, the LiLAC Group operates a sub-sea fiber network throughout the region in over 40 markets.

For more information, please visit www.libertyglobal.com.

Los clientes de Flow seleccionarán el próximo premio “Flow People’s Choice Award” del programa CaribbeanTales Incubator 2017 orgullosamente patrocinado por Flow

CaribPR Wire, MIAMI, Dec. 06, 2017:  ¿Qué concepto principal de serie de televisión del Caribe se llevará los premios Flow People’s Choice Awards seleccionados del programa CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTI) de este año?

Esa es la pregunta principal al mismo tiempo que los clientes de Flow en toda la región se hacen escuchar en el proceso de selección. Aunque solo quedan 10 días, todavía hay tiempo para que los clientes emitan su voto.

La votación comenzó el 3 de noviembre de 2017 para determinar cuál de los cuatro conceptos originales de serie de televisión es el programa favorito de los espectadores a la hora de elegir qué mirar. El programa con el mayor número de votos se coronará como la principal elección del público y ganará un premio de 2500 USD. Los clientes pueden votar en línea AQUÍ en http://caribbeantales-tv.com/flows-people-choice-awards-2017-edition/

Para emitir su voto, asegúrese de ver los avances y elegir una de las cuatro (4) series de televisión preseleccionadas que se muestran a continuación:

1. Lexo Street de Roger Alexis de Trinidad y Tobago, el conocido creador de la adorada marioneta “Santana” y otros personajes. Su presentación es una dramatización cómica sin límites de la vida en Lexo Street.
2. Inframundo, descrita como no apta para cobardes, es un proyecto de película aventurera, impredecible y llena de misterio producida por Leticia Jones, de República Dominicana.
3. Life or Death de Cristobal Krusen de Belice narra los giros y vueltas de una elección presidencial marcada por escándalos en el pequeño país de Costaguana mientras un hijo lucha por salvar el legado de su padre.
4. The Agency de Paul O’Beale y Rick Elgood de Jamaica destaca la vida y la época de Ellen Thompson, una madre soltera jamaicana, que abre su propia agencia para reclutar y entrenar a las estrellas del entretenimiento en auge.

Los clientes de Flow tendrán la oportunidad exclusiva de ver estos pilotos en la red Flow 1 en toda la región a fines de 2018 y principios de 2019. Al emitir su voto, sabremos el tipo de programación caribeña original que desea ver. El anuncio del ganador del premio Flow People’s Choice Award 2017 está programado para el 18 de diciembre de 2017.

John Reid, director ejecutivo de C&W Communications, el operador de Flow afirmó: “Este es el segundo año de Flow como patrocinador principal de Caribbean Tales y estamos orgullosos de nuestra asociación que se consolida continuamente. Somos grandes defensores de la necesidad de fomentar un entorno propicio para los productores de la región y de la diáspora caribeña, y estamos decididos a ofrecer contenido caribeño original de alta calidad que sea relevante, fácil de relatar y atractivo para nuestro público”.

Reid agregó: “Al ofrecerles a nuestros clientes del Caribe la posibilidad de votar por sus series de televisión y productores favoritos a través del premio Flow People’s Choice Award, hemos creado una oportunidad beneficiosa tanto para los productores como para los televidentes: una forma sumamente interactiva para que nuestros clientes nos ayuden a seleccionar el contenido del Caribe que realmente quieren ver en la televisión y para respaldar el desarrollo de la industria cinematográfica del Caribe”.

Frances-Anne Solomon, directora ejecutiva de Caribbean Tales, comentó: “Nos complace la asociación con Flow en esta increíble iniciativa para crear programación de televisión original para nuestra región. El premio People’s Choice Award es una gran herramienta interactiva para medir el atractivo de nuestra programación original. Con esta iniciativa, así como la reciente transmisión del programa reality ‘Me on My TV’, que muestra el viaje de los productores a nuestro ‘Gran Lanzamiento’ en Toronto, Canadá, estamos orgullosos de nuestros esfuerzos de colaboración para traer la próxima generación de productores caribeños para el público de Flow”.

Acerca de THE CARIBBEANTALES MEDIA GROUP:

CaribbeanTales es un grupo de compañías que produce, comercializa y vende contenido para cine y televisión con temática caribeña para audiencias globales. Incluye CaribbeanTales Inc, una organización benéfica registrada con sede en Toronto, Canadá; Caribbean-Tales International Film Festival (CTFF), que produce eventos en todo el mundo; el reconocido programa CaribbeanTales Incubator, un centro de desarrollo y producción de contenido original caribeño; CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), la mayor entidad de distribución de servicio completo dedicada a la monetización de contenido del Caribe; CaribbeanTalesFlix, nuestra rama de producción, y CaribbeanTales-TV, una plataforma de video a pedido.

Acerca de C&W Communications

C&W es un proveedor de comunicaciones y entretenimiento de servicio completo que brinda servicios de video, banda ancha, telefonía y telefonía móvil líderes en el mercado a consumidores en 18 países. A través de su división de negocios, C&W ofrece alojamiento de centros de datos, servicios de red administrados nacionales e internacionales y soluciones de servicios de TI personalizados, que utilizan la tecnología de la nube para brindar servicio a clientes comerciales y gubernamentales.

C&W también opera una red de fibra submarina de última generación —la más extensa de la región—.

Obtenga más información en www.cwc.com o siga a C&W en LinkedIn, Facebook o Twitter.

Acerca de Liberty Global

Liberty Global es la compañía internacional de TV y banda ancha más grande del mundo, con operaciones en más de 30 países en Europa, Latinoamérica y el Caribe. Invertimos en la infraestructura que hace posible que nuestros clientes aprovechen al máximo la revolución digital. Nuestra escala y compromiso con la innovación nos permiten desarrollar productos líderes en el mercado, entregados a través de redes de última generación, que conectan a nuestros más de 24 millones de clientes que se suscriben a más de 50 millones de servicios de televisión, Internet de banda ancha y telefonía. Asimismo, prestamos servicio a más de 10 millones de suscriptores móviles y ofrecemos servicio WiFi en 10 millones de puntos de acceso.

Los negocios de Liberty Global están compuestos por dos acciones: Liberty Global Group (NASDAQ: LBTYA) (NASDAQ: LBTYB) (NASDAQ: LBTYK) para nuestras operaciones europeas, y el Grupo LiLAC (NASDAQ: LILA) (NASDAQ: LILAK) (OTC Pink:LILAB), que consiste de nuestras operaciones en Latinoamérica y el Caribe.

Liberty Global Group opera en 12 países europeos con las marcas de consumo Virgin Media, Unitymedia, Telenet y UPC. Liberty Global Group también es propietario del 50 % de VodafoneZiggo, una empresa conjunta holandesa, que tiene 4 millones de clientes, 10 millones de suscriptores de línea fija y 5 millones de suscriptores de servicios móviles. El Grupo LiLAC opera en más de 20 países en Latinoamérica y el Caribe con las marcas de consumo VTR, Flow, Liberty, Más Móvil y BTC. Además, el Grupo LiLAC opera una red de fibra submarina a lo largo de la región en más de 40 mercados.

Para obtener más información, visite www.libertyglobal.com.

C&W Communications

Relaciones con los Inversionistas:
Kunal Patel
+1 (786) 376 9294

Relaciones con los medios:
Wendy McDonald
+1 (305) 992 9079

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CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Oct. 10 2017: Renowned Grammy-nominated, Jamaican jazz great, Monty Alexander, has taken his brand of jazz to fans around the world. But this month he returns to Upstate New York for a performance at the famous Jazz Forum.

Alexander, who has been presented with the Commander In The Order Of Distinction for outstanding service to his homeland as a worldwide music ambassador, is set to bring his one-of-a-kind jazz to fans in Tarry Town, NY.

The maestro, who has made his mark on the jazz music scene for his unique infusion of traditional jazz and reggae – the music of his homeland – will play at one of the country’s premiere not-for-profit jazz venues from Friday, October 20 to Saturday, October 21, 2017. Alexander will play two shows on both nights – at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m., respectively.

Tickets are US $30 per night and can be purchased by selecting the day of attendance in the calendar here and clicking the Buy Tickets button.

ABOUT ALEXANDER

Alexander is one of the most sought after jazz pianists in the world and is ranked in the top five in ‘The Fifty Greatest Piano Players of All Time.’ Soon after moving to the U.S. from his native Jamaica, his amazing talent caught the ears of Frank Sinatra and Jilly Rizzo, and he was hired as house pianist at Jilly’s, New York City’s famed club, where he worked with some of the top names in jazz. Fifty-five years after he moved to the United States from Kingston, Jamaica, he has become an American classic. Alexander is also mentioned in Robert Doerschuk’s 88: The Giants of Jazz Piano. He gives the hardcore-jazz-obsessed much to dig into while also communicating the message to the squarest “civilian.”

Whether playing straight jazz, Jamaican Reggae, Soul, or the music of his idols, Nat ‘King’ Cole and Frank Sinatra, Alexander’s energy and vibrancy, coupled with his musical prowess on the piano, will astound fans anywhere. He tours the world relentlessly with various projects, delighting a global audience drawn to his effervescent personality and soulful message. His spirited conception is one informed by the timeless verities: endless melody-making, effervescent grooves, sophisticated voicings, a romantic spirit, and a consistent predisposition. As Alexander, himself, sums it up: “To build up the heat and kick up a storm.”

For more on Monty Alexander and his music visit him on YouTube or at http://www.montyalexander.com. You can also like him on Facebook at facebook.com/officialmontyalexander or keep up to date on his performance on Twitter at @montyHKE.

Media Contact:

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

718-476-3616

[email protected]

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More than 5,000 film enthusiasts enjoy the 12^th Annual CaribbeanTales International Film Festival.

For Immediate Release

CaribPR Wire, TORONTO, Canada, Oct. 2, 2017: The 12^th Annual CaribbeanTales International Film Festival honoured eight films at the #INTERSECT: Closing Night and Awards on September 21, 2017 at the packed 500-seat Scotiabank Cineplex.  The films had all been screened during the Festival to enthralled audiences in Toronto from September 6 to September 21, 2017.

The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival winners are:

1. Caribbean Spirit Award for Best Feature Film

‘Le Gang Des Antillais’

Jean-Claude Barny

2. Best Documentary

‘Traces of Sugar’

Ida Does

3. Best Short Film

‘Viré’

Hugo Rousselin

4. Impact Award

‘Shashamane’

Giulia Amati

5. Innovation Award

‘Kafou’

Bruno Mourral

6. Best Cinematography

‘Cutlass’

Darisha Beresford

7. #Intersect Award for Best LGBT film

‘Play The Devil’

Maria Govan

8. CineFAM Award – Best Woman of Color Creator

‘Traces of Sugar’

Ida Does

“We are thrilled with the really passionate feedback from our audiences in response to this year’s compelling program of films and shorts. Our 2017 goal was to challenge our fans to think about what Legacy means for us, as people of the Caribbean and its Diaspora, and reflect that back through stories told in film,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, Executive Director of the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival.  “We knew we had a great Festival while we were creating it, but the feedback and support has been simply amazing!  We want to thank the thousands of people who came out in Toronto, through rain and shine.  We want them to know we are already looking towards 2018, our lucky 13^th Festival, when we will again bring stories from the Caribbean Diaspora to sell-out audiences.”

On the morning of September 10, 2017, a large audience came out to breakfast and enjoy pitches made by some of the Caribbean Region’s most talented and accomplished filmmakers — they were in Toronto to participate in the CaribbeanTales Incubator Program. The week-long intensive workshop, now in its eighth year, culminated that morning in  the Big Pitch,  part of the “Breakfast at TIFF” Series held at LUMA.  Presented by Flow – the Caribbean Region’s largest telecommunications company -   the CTI Breakfast event gave seventeen filmmakers from across Canada and the Caribbean the chance to compete for funding — and to showcase — their original long-running series planned projects.

This year, ‘The Big Pitch’ winners were: 1st Prize “Inframundo” by Leticia Tonos (Dominican Republic) — an unlikely zombie thriller in which a Dominican psychiatrist and a Haitian private investigator join forces to unveil the mysteries of the Caribbean Underworld; 2^nd Prize: Lexo Street by Roger Alexis (Trinidad and Tobago) — developing  his wildly popular franchise that explores the scandalous lives of a group of profane and irreverent multi-racial Trinidadian puppets; and 3^rd Prize: TRANScribe by Karen Mafundikwa (Jamaica) — a travel series  that explores and celebrates writers of the African Diaspora and their connections to places that have inspired them. The Audience Choice Award went to the Canadian animation series Holy Fables! and the Diamond Dad by Sahle Robinson — a collection of animated fairy tales, fantasies and parables, featuring a live-action family that uses the morality tales to teach their kids how to make wise decisions.

Some of the other highlights of the 2017 Festival included:

●      An Opening Night Gala featuring Soca Superstar, Trinidad and Tobago’s Machel Montano, St Lucia’s Joseph Marcell  (best known as the Butler Geoffrey in Fresh Prince of Belair) and Barbados Soca Queen Alison Hinds.

●      The celebrities all attended the premiere of the new animation series BattleDream Chronicles, produced by CaribbeanTales for Flow.

●      The Government of Barbados’ Recognition Awards for film legends, Cameron Bailey and Menelik Shabazz, both of Barbadian heritage.

●      Fourteen feature films and thirty short films that delighted audiences of more than 5,000 people over nine days.

The next CaribbeanTales International Film Festival is scheduled for September 2018.  For information as plans evolve, go to www.caribbeantalesfestival.com.

About the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival

The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) celebrates the talents of established and emerging filmmakers of Caribbean heritage who practise their art across the Caribbean Diaspora worldwide – Canada and the Caribbean, Europe, the Americas, Africa, China, India and the Middle East. CTFF presents a multi-ethnic mix of exciting and dynamic films that showcase diverse, shared stories and cultures.

CTFF is produced by CaribbeanTales Inc., a registered Canadian Charity that aims to connect people through film. The company’s mandate is to foster and encourage intercultural understanding and racial equality, through the creation, marketing and distribution of film programs, events and projects that reflect the diversity and creativity of Caribbean heritage culture.

Media Resources: http://caribbeantalesfestival.com/2017-festival-media-resources/

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CaribPRWire, Toronto Canada, Sat. Sept. 9, 2017: Three new, original Caribbean TV pilots have their world premiere screenings at the 12th CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) in Toronto, Canada, this September. BattleDream Chronicles, an Animated TV Show, HEAT, and CaribbeanGrlNYC are the result of an ongoing partnership between the CaribbeanTales Media Group, the world’s largest distributor of Caribbean audio-visual content, and Flow, the Caribbean’s leading telecoms and media content provider.

Produced by CaribbeanTales for Flow, the three pilots will air exclusively on Flow’s flagship entertainment network, Flow 1, later this year across the Caribbean.

The pilots focus on Caribbean themed content: BattleDream Chronicles is the Region’s first Afro-futurist Animation series created by director, producer and writer Alain Bidard; HEAT is a steamy Bajan drama written and directed by internationally acclaimed Barbadian/British director and writer Menelik Shabazz; while CaribbeanGrlNYC by Guadeloupean creator and director Mariette Monpierre, — best known for her award-winning 2011 film, Elza — is a female-driven sitcom set in the Big Apple.

All three directors are alumni of the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator Program (CTI), which is now in its eighth year. From its inception, the CTI has been a training and development platform and launch pad for over eighty Caribbean-themed projects and producers. And since last year, the CTI has partnered with Flow to produce three (3) original series Pilots a year and develop homegrown content for Caribbean audiences.

“We are rewriting the script on support for local and regional content,” said John Reid, CEO of Cable & Wireless, operator of Flow and lead sponsor of the CTFF and CTI. “The Caribbean has always had talented filmmakers; what it has lacked is a support system that enables skills development, assistance in production and distribution, and ultimately the opportunity to monetize content. Through our partnership with CaribbeanTales, we are changing this, helping to transform the Caribbean film industry and showcase its talent to the world,” he said.

BattleDream Chronicles made its world debut on September 6, 2017 at the Gala Opening of CTFF2017, featuring legendary St. Lucian actor, Joseph Marcell, best known for his role as Geoffrey the Butler in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air; Barbadian Queen of Soca, artiste Alison Hinds; Sheldon Shepherd, star of the award-winning 2010 Jamaican drama, Better Mus’ Come; Leonie Forbes, Jamaica’s multi-award-winning actress and icon; Nickolai Salcedo, prominent Trinidadian actor and musician; and Guyana’s up-and-coming star, Nuriyyih Gerrard, in the show’s leading role.

HEAT will be screened on September 13 at the CTFF 2017 special Menelik Shabazz Tribute, sponsored by the Consulate General of Barbados, Toronto. The evening’s special guests will include Menelik Shabazz, and TIFF’s Artistic Director, Cameron Bailey.

And, on September 20, 2017 at CTFF2017’s CINEFAM: Women Creators of Colour Night, the spotlight will shine on women of colour directors, creators and actresses with the screening of CaribbeanGrlNYC.

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The theme of the 12th Annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival is Legacy

CaribPRWire, TORONTO, Canada, Mon. August 21, 2017: As Canada delights in all its diversity this year, the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) marks its 12th annual festival with a street party celebrating the legacy, people and beauty of the Caribbean. On September 6, 2017, Clinton Street at College Street in Toronto will be magically transformed with the sights and sounds of the Islands, co-hosted by the Consulate General for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. International Caribbean stars of film and television will greet their many fans there — at CTFF’s Opening Gala and Film Premieres.

Music Superstar Machel Montano; actor Joseph Marcell (best known as “Geoffrey” the butler from Fresh Prince of Belair); Barbados’ soca queen Alison Hinds; Jamaica’s Sheldon Shepherd and Trinidad and Tobago’s Nickolai Salcedo are among the luminaries who will attend the College Street party and Talkback after the screening. They will also attend the Encore Screening slated for September 7, 2017 at Cineplex Morningside Cinema, 785 Milner Ave, Scarborough.

“After twelve years, we can look back to our most humble beginnings –  as well as look forward – to the great narratives that are still to be explored through the power of film for audiences in Canada and worldwide,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, Executive Director, CTFF. “It was hard to pick this year’s program — but those we’ve chosen will not only entertain, but also challenge our audiences to consider our legacy as Caribbean peoples here and throughout our Diaspora. We need to think about what we’re leaving now for future generations.”

This year’s Festival boasts fourteen feature films and thirty short films, from eighteen countries – all featuring stories centering on Caribbean legacy. Throughout the two-week event, audiences will enjoy themes including Bajan Excellence, Legacies of Race, Roots of Culture, Legacies of the Land, #BlackLoveMatters, CineFAM (Women in film), and #INTERSECT – Queer and Trans People of Colour.

As the street party winds down, fans will be welcomed at The Royal Cinema, 608 College Street, Toronto, to see two films: the world premiere of Battledream Chronicles and Machel Montano: Journey of Soca King.

The short film, Battledream Chronicles, is an animated pilot voiced by Caribbean stars. It tells the story of Syanna, a young slave in a futuristic world where plantations are video games. She and her team of rebels must hack the system to gain their freedom. Marcell, plays arch-villain Zeus Thunderking, while Jamaica’s queen of stage and screen Leonie Forbes voices Kerberia, the computer generated servant. Salcedo plays the rapacious Torquemada, Hinds plays Leto, Syanna’s mother, Jamaica’s Sheldon Sheperd (known for his lead role in Better Mus’ Come) plays the role of the charismatic Teacher. The central character of Syanna is played by talented Guyanese newcomer Nuriyyih Gerrard.

Machel Montano: Journey of Soca King chronicles Trinidadian soca artist Montano’s growth from a child star to his reign as the world’s Soca Monarch, collaborating with Grammy Award-winning songwriters and producers like Angela Hunte and Diplo.

“We are proud to be co-hosting the Canadian Premiere screening of this extraordinary film at the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival,” said Ms. Cherrone Mokund, Acting Consul General for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago in Toronto. “Machel Montano is known internationally and by sharing his story, we all learn more about what he has done to uplift and showcase our Caribbean cultural legacy to the world.”

Tickets and information for CTFF 2017’s Opening Gala and Festival Launch — as well for all Festival films — are on sale now at www.caribbeantalesfestival.com.  Follow us on Twitter #CTFF2017, Facebook and Instagram.

Media Accreditation: http://caribbeantalesfestival.com/media-contact-accreditation/

Media Resources: http://caribbeantalesfestival.com/2017-festival-media-resources/

To confirm media attendance, arrange for screeners, interviews, photo opportunities or for more information please contact:

Dayo Kefentse
DAYO Media & Communications

[email protected]

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…. As Alexander Gears Up For Six-City Tour

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Aug. 16, 2017: A French journalist’s comparison of the fluidity of the strides of recently retired Jamaican Olympic legend Usain Bolt to the agile hands of Grammy-nominated, Jamaican jazz great, Monty Alexander, on a piano, has left the virtuoso speechless.

Alexander said he was shocked recently, when while reading journalist David Gakunzi’s piece, ‘Bolt: La course manqué,’ he realized the writer had compared his hands, furiously playing one of his classics, ‘Take The A Train,’ to the strides of the world’s greatest athlete.

“To conquer the sky once more … his steps as fluid as the agile hands of Monty Alexander revisiting ‘Take the A train’ on a furious piano, marking history one last time,” Gakunzi wrote in French in his August 14, 2017 piece in La Regle Du Jeu.

“It is definitely a unique comparison,” Alexander commented recently. “I never thought of it that way but I know for me, similarly to Usain Bolt, I want to help to bring more good will and see Jamaica rise to its highest potential wherever I go.”

Alexander, who has been presented with the Commander In The Order Of Distinction for outstanding services to his homeland as a worldwide music ambassador, is set for a six-city tour across the US, beginning tomorrow, August 17^th.

The one-of-a-kind musician will play the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, Arizona at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 17, 2017. Tickets for this one-time performance are $43.50 – $48.50 and can be purchased here.

On Friday, August 18^th, Alexander will play one show only at the Smith Center in Las Vegas from 7 p.m. Tickets are $39 – $59 and can be purchased here. On Saturday, August 19^th, the man widely known as an upper echelon master of the swinging piano trio function, will travel to California for three performances. On Saturday night at 5 and 8 p.m., respectively, he will play the Lesher Theatre. Tickets are on sale now and can be bought here.

On Sunday August 20^th, Alexander will play a sold-out matinee show at Jazz at Filoli in Woodwide, CA and on Monday, August 21^st, the top pianist will play the Kuumbwa Jazz Center in n Santa Cruz, CA from 7 p.m. Tickets are $30-35 and can be purchased here.

Alexander will wrap up his six-city performance with back-to-back shows at Dazzle’s Jazz in Denver, CO from Tuesday August 22^nd to Wednesday, Aug. 23^rd. Showtime nightly is 8:30 p.m. and tickets from $20 – $45 can be obtained here now.

ABOUT ALEXANDER

Alexander is one of the most sought after jazz pianists in the world and is ranked in the top five in ‘The Fifty Greatest Piano Players of All Time.’ Soon after moving to the U.S. from his native Jamaica, his amazing talent caught the ears of Frank Sinatra and Jilly Rizzo, and he was hired as house pianist at Jilly’s, New York City’s famed club, where he worked with some of the top names in jazz. Fifty-five years after he moved to the United States from Kingston, Jamaica, he has become an American classic. Whether playing straight jazz, Jamaican Reggae, Soul, or the music of his idols, Nat ‘King’ Cole and Frank Sinatra, Alexander’s energy and vibrancy, coupled with his musical prowess on the piano, will astound fans anywhere. He tours the world relentlessly with various projects, delighting a global audience drawn to his effervescent personality and soulful message. His spirited conception is one informed by the timeless verities: endless melody-making, effervescent grooves, sophisticated voicings, a romantic spirit, and a consistent predisposition. As Alexander, himself, sums it up: “To build up the heat and kick up a storm.”

For more on Monty Alexander and his music visit him on YouTube or at montyalexander.com. You can also like him on Facebook at facebook.com/officialmontyalexander or keep up to date on his performance on Twitter at @montyHKE.

Media Contact:

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

718-476-3616

[email protected]

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Network Named International Media Partner for the Peeks Toronto Caribbean Carnival

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. July 26, 2017: One Caribbean Television is pleased to announce its week-long live broadcast of the Carnival celebrations in Toronto, Barbados and Antigua from Thursday, August 3^rd through Monday, August 7^th, 2017.

This year, One Caribbean Television will partner with the newly rebranded Peeks Toronto Caribbean Carnival for its 50^th anniversary celebration.  For the past five years, the network has covered Toronto’s Carnival, which remains one of North America’s largest cultural events attracting millions of attendees, annually.

In addition, the One Caribbean Television production team will provide live coverage of both the Barbados Crop Over Festival and Antigua’s 60^th Carnival celebration.

Throughout Carnival Week, One Caribbean Television will offer live coverage of events, interviews and feature stories to highlight the people and pageantry that make Carnival one of the world’s most popular celebrations.

One Caribbean Television, a U.S.-based, 24/7 television network, most known for its extensive weather coverage, also carries news, sports, travel, lifestyle, and entertainment programming along with the most Caribbean carnival coverage anywhere. The channel is currently seen on cable systems throughout the Caribbean and in a number of major cities in the United States.

For more information about One Caribbean Television:  www.Facebook.com/OneCaribbeanTelevision

Contact: Mark Walton  -  917.887.0401  -  [email protected]

Watch One Caribbean Television – Carnival Week Recap

For more information about Peeks Toronto Caribbean Carnival:  www.TorontoCaribbeanCarnival.com

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For Immediate Release

CaribPR Wire, Toronto, Canada, Mon. July 17, 2017: On July 6, 2017, the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) held its Media Launch and Program Reveal, co-presented by the Consul General of Barbados at Toronto, with an evening of community and celebration. The packed event featured the Canadian Premiere screening of Barbadian film legend-in-the-making Shakirah Bourne’s latest fantasy feature film: A Caribbean Dream. And the international release of the trailer for Toronto-based filmmaker Sharon Lewis’ fifteen-year labour of love: upcoming Afro-futurist feature film Brown Girl Begins.

“At twelve years old, CaribbeanTales has worked to create a brand for Caribbean Cinema, not divided by country, and inclusive of the Diaspora, that brings together our separate and collective legacies, our unique, distinctive and authentic stories,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, Executive Director, CTFF.

With fourteen (14) feature films and thirty (30) short films, from eighteen (18) countries, the twelfth annual CTFF promises to challenge viewers on the beauty and complexities of Caribbean legacy. This juried screening series will take place from September 6 to September 21, 2017 at The Royal Cinema, and at Cineplex Scotiabank Cinema.

The festival runs alongside the CaribbeanTales Incubator, which is a development and marketing hub for top filmmakers around the Caribbean and Diaspora.

“Through the Incubator, we’re pleased to support the growth of our Region’s film industry and simultaneously develop compelling creative content relevant for our Region, as well as a global audience – giving viewers at home and abroad top-notch Caribbean content,” said John Reid, CEO of Cable and Wireless / Flow, the lead sponsor of the CTFF and CTI.

The impact of this remarkable partnership is the exciting news that the three pilots emerged from CTI 2016, where funded by Flow and will be premiered at CTFF2017. With an amazing line-up of filmmakers for this year’s CTI, Flow has made the same commitment again.

Shakirah Bourne will also be representing Barbados at CTI 2017 with another fantasy project: Visit with the Obeah Woman. She will be joined by Karen Mafundikwa, with travel documentary series TRANScribe (Jamaica), Rick Elgood and Paul O Beale with comedic drama: The Agency (Jamaica), Roger Alexis with Santana spin-off Lexo Street (Trinidad and Tobago), Janine Fung’s comedy MIX UP (Trinidad and Tobago), Leticia Tonos with zombie thriller Inframundo (Dominican Republic), Louis Taylor and Altair Pflug Taylor with cynical reality show Spawn & Geezer (Canada), Kareem Mortimer’s “crama-dy” Sully’s Manor (Bahamas), Cristobal Krusen with political drama Life or Death (Belize), and Nicolas Cuellular and Nadege Robertson with environmental love story Fontizon – A Forest Grows in Haiti (Haiti).

These CTI filmmakers will be working over the next months to prepare for CaribbeanTales’ crowning Industry Event: The Big Pitch at the TIFF Bell Lightbox on September 10, 2017 where they will pitch their projects to industry professionals. A limited number of tickets will be available for non-industry members wishing to attend.

Stay up to date with all CaribbeanTales activities by following the CTFF, and on Facebook, as well as the full organization on Twitter or Instagram.

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NOW AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY ON TIDAL

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NEW YORK, June 19, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — TIDAL is excited to share JAY-Z’s new album, 4:44, will be exclusively available to TIDAL Members.

Who: JAY-Z

What: New Album – 4:44

When: June 30, 2017 at 12 a.m. ET

How: New TIDAL members can visit TIDAL.com/Try-now

Where: TIDAL members can visit TIDAL.com

About TIDAL
TIDAL is a global, experiential, entertainment platform built for fans, directly from artists around the world. TIDAL members enjoy exclusively curated content that directly connect artists with their fans in multiple ways. The service offers high-fidelity, CD sound quality music, high resolution video, an opportunity to discover new artists via TIDAL Rising and unique experiences via TIDAL X. TIDAL is available in more than 52 countries, with more than a 48.5 million song catalog and 175,000 high quality videos. For more information, please visit www.tidal.com.
Follow TIDAL at http://facebook.com/tidal, http://twitter.com/tidalhifi and https://instagram.com/tidal/.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150904/263788LOGO

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Grammy Nominated Legendary Jamaican Jazz Great Monty Alexander.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Fri. June 2, 2017: Jazz fans in San Francisco are in for a treat next weekend as award-winning, Jamaican jazz maestro, Monty Alexander, makes his debut at the 35^th annual San Francisco Jazz Festival.

Alexander, fresh from playing sold out concerts in Europe and Africa, will make a rare West Coast appearance with his band, the Harlem Kingston Express, at the celebrated Festival on Friday, June 8^th. Show time is 8 p.m. at the Herbst Theater, 401 Van Ness Ave, San Francisco, CA. Tickets are US$30, $50 and $70 and can be obtained here.

The San Francisco Jazz Festival made its debut in 1983 and is today an annual three-week celebration of some of the best jazz music anywhere, with over 30 concerts held over the three-week event.

“I am glad to have been invited to participate in the San Francisco Jazz Festival,” said Alexander. “It means a great deal to me to be able to come to the great city with my Harlem Kingston Express; a place where I first played in the late 1969 at such joints like El Matador, The Keystone Corner and at the Monterey jazz festival and where I remember my co-players being SF native, drummer Dick Berk and bassist John Heard following Roberta Flack and preceding Miles Davis. We kinda rocked the joint! I also came to SF on several occasions to make records for Concord Records, so returning brings back a ton of only good memories!”

But, added Alexander, “Now is the time, and these days it is my thrill and joy and privilege and objective – in addition to sharing music – to bring upliftment and One Love to our audiences. Hope the good folks will come and experience the incredible artistry of each of my brother musicians. As  might be said on a Jamaican street corner: ‘Dem Bad No Rahtid!’”

Fans who are unable to get tickets for the Festival can also catch the Grammy nominated musician in Hollywood at Catalina Bar & Grill Jazz Club at 6725 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA on Friday, June 9th and Saturday, June10^th at 8:30 p.m. nightly. Tickets are $30 per person and can be obtained here or by logging on directly to catalinajazzclub.com/.

Catalina’s supper club is a Hollywood institution known for presenting some of the best jazz talents to its top clientele and Alexander and his Harlem Kingston Express are without a doubt, no exception.

The jazz legend is a Jamaican and American classic who continues to tour the world relentlessly. In Paris, France, recently, he thrilled 2,400 jazz fans at the Paris Philarmonie while in Zurich, Switzerland, his music was well received by the 1,500 who gathered at the Zurich Tonhalle. And in London, the master pianist played six sold out concerts at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club while also taking time out from his hectic performance schedule to make a first appearance at the 20th edition of the Saint Louis Jazz Festival in Senegal, Africa. The event is where artists share the roots of African music with musicians from all over the world.

Alexander’s roots in the Caribbean island of Jamaica, the birthplace of reggae, allows him to offer his global audience a spirited fusion of jazz and Jamaican musical expression unlike few contemporary jazz musicians of today.

His is the spirited conception of a melody distinctly his own, that draws in even the squarest “civilian” and takes them on a music journey of blues, gospel and bebop, calypso and reggae.

As the jazz great tells it: “For the most part, when I play music, I smell it and see colors. Every song has its own personality, its own soul, and if I can’t feel it, I can’t play it with feeling. I don’t understand what it is that makes me different, but I feel I have very little in common with anybody else. I seem to be my own strange character. If I’m right in my motivations and attitude, amazing things happen.”

Alexander’s work has been documented on more than 70 CDs and includes albums like the Grammy nominated “Monty Alexander’s Harlem-Kingston Express Live! @ Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola,”  Harlem-Kingston Express Vol. 2: The River Rolls On, Stir It Up and Uplift.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government designated Alexander Commander In The Order Of Distinction for his outstanding service to his homeland as a worldwide music ambassador.

For more on Monty Alexander and his music visit him on YouTube or at montyalexander.com. You can also like him on Facebook at facebook.com/officialmontyalexander or keep up to date on his performance on Twitter at @montyHKE.

Media Contact:

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

718-476-3616

[email protected]

Click Here for More Information »

For Immediate Release

CaribPR Wire, MIAMI, FL, Weds. May 30, 2017: The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival and their partners today announced their 2017 Short Film Challenges (SFC). The SFCs throw a spotlight on important themes, new voices, and urgent current social issues, providing a platform and visibility to emerging filmmakers.

This year there will be three (3) themes, and five (5) total challenges:

#INTERSECT – for Queer and Trans People of Colour (QTPOC), co-presented with the Toronto Queer Film Festival, features diverse stories of any theme and genre from across the Caribbean Region and Diaspora. This challenge is supported by the Black Coalition for AIDS Prevention.

#BlackLoveMatters, is presented with the Toronto-based Black Daddies Club and Young and Potential Fathers, and will explore stories of black masculinity, fatherhood, and black love.

The three CineFAM challenges are part of CaribbeanTales the global initiative to support bold new stories by women of colour worldwide.  “CineFAM” in Haitian-Creole means “films by women”. This year there are three CineFAM challenges:

CineFAM Caribbean Smartphone Challenge – presented by Flow and in partnership with the Belize International Film Festival and the Chicago Caribbean Film Festival. This challenge is open to all Caribbean women living in the Region and Diaspora. The winner will receive a $1,500 USD prize, a combination of cash and equipment.

CineFAM Canada – presented with Trinity Square Video and Telefilm. Designed for Canadian women of colour creators through an open call for 5-minute screenplays. Two teams will be chosen to receive production support and in-kind funding up to $1500 through Trinity Square Video and CaribbeanTales.

CineFAM South Africa - presented with Sisters Working in Film and Television (SWIFT) at the Durban Film Mart (DFM). The Challenge will take place on the second week of the Durban International Film Festival 2017, where SWIFT will offer a no-budget filmmaking workshop. A theme will be announced and filmmakers will have five days to write, shoot, edit and upload their films. Enrolment in the workshop is non-mandatory. The Challenge is open to all women-identified South Africans and will be open for submissions between July 18, 2017and July 23, 2017. Winners will get the opportunity to attend and premiere their films at CTFF in September 2017.

Participants in each Challenge have the opportunity to compete for a range of prizes.

Winning films will have their World Premiere Screening at CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) 2017, and receive distribution through CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution on CaribbeanTales-TV-com.

All films must be five minutes or less, must be world premieres, and must be owned, created and led by people of colour.

For more information and to submit to one of the challenges visit the website: http://caribbeantales-tv.com/short-film-challenges/.

Trinity Square Video is a space to re-imagine media arts. Founded in 1971, it is one of Canada’s first artist-run centres and its oldest media arts centre. As a not-for-profit, charitable organization Trinity Square Video aims to meaningfully engage diverse creative voices through its accessible production, post-production, and exhibition support. Trinity Square Video champions an evolving definition of video by presenting challenging contemporary art that inspires its members and audiences to expand their understanding of media art. We strive to create a supportive environment, encouraging artistic and curatorial experimentation with video that challenges notions of medium specificity and advances media art as a creative discipline.

Telefilm Canada is a Crown corporation reporting to Canada’s federal government through the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Headquartered in Montreal, Telefilm provides services to the Canadian audiovisual industry with four regional offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.

Sisters Working In Film and Television is a non-profit organization established in 2017 that aims to advance the participation of women professionals in film and telelvision. The organization lobbies for inclusion, gender parity and the support of womxn in the South African audiovisual landscape while forming pan-African and global networks for womxn professionals.

Durban Film Mart is a co-production and finance market and is a joint programme of the Durban Film Office (DFO) and the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF). DFM provides filmmakers from across Africa with a valuable opportunity to pitch projects to financiers, distributors, sales agents and potential co-producers, and to participate in meetings, project presentations and a series of master classes and workshops on the latest industry trends.

Flow us a customer brand under C&W, which is a full service communications and entertainment provider and delivers market-leading video, broadband, telephony and mobile services to consumers in 18 countries. C&W also operates a state-of-the-art submarine fiber network – the most extensive in the region. Learn more at http://www.cwc.com/, or follow C&W on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

CaribbeanTales is a group of companies that produces, markets, and sells Caribbean-themed film and television content for global audiences. It includes CaribbeanTales Inc. a registered Charity based in Toronto, Canada; the Caribbean-Tales International Film Festival (CTFF) that produces events around the world; the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator Program, a development and production hub for original Caribbean content; CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), the largest  full-service distribution entity dedicated to the monetisation of Caribbean content; CaribbeanTalesFlix, our production arm, and CaribbeanTales-TV, a video on demand platform.

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NASSAU, Bahamas, March 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ – Bahamas-born Sammi Starr, Sony Music recording artist, is proud to announce the launch of “#Bahamas, Your Best Picture Deserves My Best Song”, a grassroots social media campaign aiming to share with the world Sammi’s love for his country and the sounds of its Junkanoo festival through his song “Jump in Da Line”, a single produced and remixed by Latin Grammy^® winner, DJ Buddha.

Photo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/483261/Sony_Music_Sammi_Starr.jpg

Sammi Starr is launching “#Bahamas” on Tuesday, March 28^th on his website www.sammistarrmusic.com as well as on Instagram. Sammi will search for his favorite photos and videos posted on Instagram with the hashtag #Bahamas and share them back with a soundtrack, his Bahamian Carnival anthem “Jump in Da Line” as well as an invitation to visit his web page. Fans can also add Sammi’s music to their photos themselves visiting www.sammistarrmusic.com.

“When you come to The Bahamas you are surrounded by beauty, music, culture, history and great vibes. I find thousands of pictures on Instagram of Bahamians and visitors having the time of their lives here. They inspired me to add my song “Jump in Da Line” as the soundtrack to their most vivid memories as we all celebrate together Junkanoo style through #Bahamas!” said Sammi.

“Jump in Da Line” is inspired by Junkanoo and it describes the Bahamian Junkanoo festival including the groups in formation and lines all moving to the sound of the rhythm. The song has received extensive airplay since its release and you can listen to it on the platform of your preference clicking here.

About Sammi Starr
Sammi Starr is a renowned Bahamian recording artist and producer in the Caribbean. Sammi landed a recording contract with Sony Music Latin for his single “Jump in Da Line” after winning the Music Masters Competition during the 2015 Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival organized by the Bahamas National Festival Commission. He represents The Bahamas with pride at international events throughout the Caribbean and in the United States. His style has been described as a unique blend of Marvin Gaye, Usher, Kanye West and John Legend with an island twist. For more information, please visit: www.sammistarrmusic.com

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Grammy Nominated Legendary Jamaican Jazz Great Monty Alexander.

CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. March 6., 2017: Minneapolis jazz fans will be in for a treat this Wednesday, March 8, 2017 as Grammy-nominated, award-winning Jamaican jazz pianist and band leader, Monty Alexander, and his Harlem Kingston Trio, bring the warmth of Jamaica to the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant.

Along with his swinging jazz piano interpretations, Alexander says he will be bringing his Jamaican heritage – all stirred up for an uplifting ‘One Love’ experience – at the rare Minneapolis’ entertainment gem at 1010 Nicollet, Minneapolis, MN.

Alexander and his band will perform only one show only so get your tickets now. Tickets are $35 and $30, respectively, and can be secured now here or directly at http://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=1128014&presenter=DAKOTA&venue=&event=.

ABOUT ALEXANDER

Alexander is an American classic. He tours the world relentlessly with various projects, delighting a global audience drawn to his vibrant personality and soulful message. His spirited conception, documented on more than 70 CDs, draws upon the timeless verities: endless melody-making, effervescent grooves, sophisticated voicings, a romantic spirit. In the course of any given performance, Alexander covers a repertoire spanning a broad range of jazz and Jamaican musical expression—the American songbook and the blues, gospel and bebop, calypso and reggae. Like his “eternal inspiration,” Erroll Garner, Alexander— listed at Number 5 in The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of All Time (Hal Leonard Publishing) gives the hardcore-jazz-obsessed much to dig into while also communicating the message to the squarest “civilian.”

Alexander is most widely known as an upper echelon master of the swinging piano trio function, as he has demonstrated with several top-shelf groups, including iconic units with bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton, and with the legendary bassist Ray Brown and guitarist Herb Ellis. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Alexander also performs frequently with Harlem-Kingston Express, a double trio in which he coalesces his love for hard-swinging jazz with musical flavors that reflect his Jamaican heritage, shifting between an acoustic trio and master Jamaican practitioners of electric bass and drums.

In August 2000, the Jamaican government designated Alexander Commander In The Order Of Distinction for outstanding services to his homeland as a worldwide music ambassador. Furthermore, every Labor Day weekend since 2010, Alexander has served as Artistic Director and perennial performer at his namesake Monty Alexander Jazz festival in Easton, Maryland. For more on Monty Alexander and his music visit him on YouTube or at montyalexander.com. You can also like him on Facebook at facebook.com/officialmontyalexander or keep up to date on his performance on Twitter at @montyHKE.

Media Contact:

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

718-476-3616

[email protected]

Click Here for More Information »

Leading Film producers begin production on three new pilots

Caribbean Girl NYC

CaribPR Wire, MIAMI, FL, Fri. February 24, 2017: Three of the Caribbean’s leading film producers will now develop pilots for their original TV series projects, via funding from Flow and CaribbeanTales Media Group.

With $40,000 funding for each project, production work will begin on Battledream Chronicle, a sci-fi/drama animated series created by Alain Bidard, which is based on his groundbreaking multi-award winning feature film; Heat, a sweltering crime/drama series filmed in Barbados from iconic filmmaker Menelik Shabazz  (Burning an Illusion, The Story of Lover’s Rock and more); and Caribbean Girl NYC, an ensemble female-driven sitcom from NY-based Guadeloupian filmmaker/producer Mariette Monpierre, whose award-winning film Elza won, among others, the prestigious NYT award.

Support for these pilots is part of CaribbeanTales Incubator Program (CTI), a year-round development and production hub for Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora Producers to create of strong, compelling and sustainable regional content for the global market.

“We recognise the significant hurdles that Caribbean Producers face in financing and producing their content, and getting it out to audiences,” said John Reid, CEO of Cable and Wireless, operator of Flow and lead sponsor of CTI. “We are honoured to help support this programme that is enabling the production and monetisation of this exciting emerging cultural industry.”

The pilots will premier at the twelfth annual CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF), of which Flow is also the lead sponsor. The festival celebrates the talents of established and emerging filmmakers of Caribbean heritage, and will be held in Toronto, Canada in September.

As an added bonus, an eight-part documentary series has been filmed and is currently in post-production. The series follows the ten teams of filmmakers who competed for this prestigious award, and will be shown on Flow1 later this year.

Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO of CaribbeanTales, states, “We are delighted that, together with Flow, we are able to provide the Caribbean’s top filmmakers with funding and a platform to produce top quality, local, content with the capacity to reach audiences across the region and the world.”

CTI is now accepting applications for its 2017 programme online.

About CaribbeanTales

The CaribbeanTales Media Group is a group of companies that produces, markets, and sells Caribbean-themed film and television content for global audiences. It includes CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), a full-service distribution entity dedicated to the monetisation of Caribbean content; CaribbeanTales Inc a registered Charity based in Toronto, Canada; the CTFF, CaribbeanTales Flix, our production arm, CaribbeanTales-TV, a video on demand platform, and the CTI.

About C&W Communications

C&W is a full service communications and entertainment provider and delivers market-leading video, broadband, telephony and mobile services to consumers in 18 countries. Through its business division, C&W provides data center hosting, domestic and international managed network services, and customized IT service solutions, utilizing cloud technology to serve business and government customers.

C&W also operates a state-of-the-art submarine fiber network – the most extensive in the region.

Learn more at www.cwc.com, or follow C&W on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

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The winning pitch from the CaribbeanTales incubator of 2016. (CaribbeanTales image)

CaribPR Wire, TORONTO, Canada, Weds. Feb. 1, 2017: CaribbeanTales, a multi-faceted group of film production, marketing and distribution companies, has announced its annual Call for Submissions for the Film Festival and Producer Incubator programs that will take place in September 2017 in Toronto, Canada.  Applications for both programs will be open until March 31, 2017.

CTI Presented by Flow – Get Your Original Caribbean TV Series Made!

The renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator Program (CTI), now in its eighth year, has hosted over two hundred producers from across the Caribbean. Sponsored by Flow, the Caribbean’s leading telecommunications company, the CTI serves as a funnel for the creation of original TV Series.

CTI offers selected producers the opportunity to hone their creative and business skills within an international marketplace environment, producing compelling and sustainable content that increases the Region’s pool of world-class indigenous television content destined for the global market.

The CTI includes seven weeks of online tuition, and an intensive five-day workshop in Toronto that culminates in a Caribbean Pitch Breakfast at the TIFF Bell Lightbox attended by high-profile industry delegates.

There are several lucrative awards, including up to $30,000.00 USD in production funding for each of three (3) successful TV series pilots, that will be broadcast on Flow’s TV networks across the Region.

CTFF – Your Caribbean film on the international screen!

The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF), now in its twelfth year, showcases diverse, shared stories and cultures, and celebrates the talents of established and emerging Caribbean filmmakers.

The Festival will hold its Media Launch and Screening in early July, and a series of community screenings throughout August. The Festival’s main juried program of feature films and shorts will be held between September 6 and September 20, 2017.

CTFF will program films of all lengths and genres.  Please note that films considered for programming must be Toronto Premieres.

For more information about the two programs, email [email protected].

To submit your films and projects visit the CTI website, and CTFF website.

For media inquiries contact [email protected].

ABOUT THE CARIBBEANTALES MEDIA GROUP:

CaribbeanTales is a group of companies that produces, markets, and sells Caribbean-themed film and television content for global audiences.

It includes CaribbeanTales Inc. a registered Charity based in Canada; the CTI; the CTFF; CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), the largest  full-service distribution entity dedicated to the monetisation of Caribbean content; CaribbeanTalesFlix, our production arm, and CaribbeanTales-TV, a video on demand platform.

ABOUT FLOW:

About C&W Communications

C&W is a full-service communications and entertainment provider and delivers market-leading video, broadband, telephony and mobile services to consumers in eighteen countries. Through its business division, C&W provides data center hosting, domestic and international managed network services, and customized IT service solutions, utilizing cloud technology to serve business and government customers.

C&W also operates a state-of-the-art submarine fiber network – the most extensive in the region. Learn more at www.cwc.com, or follow C&W on LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter.

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CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. Nov. 14, 2016: Grammy-nominated, Jamaican jazz pianist and band leader, Monty Alexander, is coming to the legendary Chicago Jazz Showcase later this month.

Alexander and the Harlem-Kingston Express band, whose blend of music combines jazz seamlessly with the reggae genre of his homeland, will play the Chicago Jazz Showcase from November 24-27, 2016. Show times are 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. nightly.

The Jazz Showcase is the oldest historic jazz club in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded in 1947 by Joe Segal and is now owned and operated by Wayne Segal, Joe Segal’s son.

Caribbean and other jazz fans who call Chicago home can see the award-winning Jamaican musician and his band by securing their tickets for the shows here or by logging on to the Chicago Jazz Showcase website. Tickets are $45 and $25, respectively, per show.

Alexander is an American classic. His performances have been called pure magic by many journalists and jazz fans around the world, and his sets are undoubtedly “a refined concept of groove.” This extraordinary musician continues to tour the world relentlessly with various projects, delighting a global audience drawn to his vibrant personality and soulful message. His energetic pieces, documented on more than 70 CDs, draws upon the timeless verities: endless melody-making, effervescent grooves, sophisticated voicings, a romantic spirit, and a consistent predisposition “to build up the heat and kick up a storm,” as Alexander puts it.

In the course of any given performance, Alexander applies those aesthetics to repertoire spanning a broad range of jazz and Jamaican musical expression – the American songbook and the blues, gospel and bebop, calypso and reggae. Like his “eternal inspiration” – Erroll Garner -  Alexander is cited as the fifth greatest jazz pianist ever in The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of All Time (Hal Leonard Publishing) and mentioned in Robert Doerschuk’s ‘88: The Giants of Jazz Piano.’

For more on the Monty Alexander and his music visit him on YouTube or at montyalexander.com. You can also like him on Facebook at facebook.com/officialmontyalexander or keep up to date on his performance on Twitter at @montyHKE.

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CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Tues. Oct. 11, 2016: Monty Alexander, the Grammy-nominated legendary Jamaican jazz musician known for his spirited musical conceptions that can appeal to even the squarest civilian, is coming to Miami early next month.

Alexander along with his Harlem-Kingston Express Band will bring together the musical worlds of American jazz, calypso, bebop and the music of his native Jamaica into one grand show set for the main stage of the South-Miami- Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC), 10950 SW 211 Street Cutler Bay FL 33189, on November 5, 2016 from 8 p.m.

Caribbean and other jazz fans who call South Florida home can see the award-winning Jamaican musician and his band by securing their tickets for the one-night only show here or by logging to the South-Miami- Dade Cultural Arts Center (SMDCAC) website. The Jamaica Tourist Board and representatives from the Jamaica Consulate in Miami are also set to be in attendance.

Alexander is an American classic. His personal history with Miami dates back to 1961 when he first migrated there from Jamaica. A year later, he began what he calls his “adventures” as a professional musician.

“I’m looking forward to being back in the city where it all got started and to sharing my musical journey with the fans,” said Alexander.

This extraordinary musician continues to tour the world relentlessly with various projects, delighting a global audience drawn to his vibrant personality and soulful message. His energetic pieces, documented on more than 70 CDs, draws upon the timeless verities: endless melody-making, effervescent grooves, sophisticated voicings, a romantic spirit, and a consistent predisposition “to build up the heat and kick up a storm,” as Alexander puts it.

In the course of any given performance, Alexander applies those aesthetics to repertoire spanning a broad range of jazz and Jamaican musical expression – the American songbook and the blues, gospel and bebop, calypso and reggae. Like his “eternal inspiration” – Erroll Garner -  Alexander is cited as the fifth greatest jazz pianist ever in The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of All Time (Hal Leonard Publishing) and mentioned in Robert Doerschuk’s ‘88: The Giants of Jazz Piano.’

For more on the Monty Alexander and his music visit him on YouTube or at montyalexander.com. You can also like him on Facebook at facebook.com/officialmontyalexander or keep up to date on his performance on Twitter at @montyHKE.

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CaribPR Wire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. July 6, 2016: It’s the reunion that will have jazz lovers humming as Jamaica’s Legendary Jazz Great Monty Alexander returns to the stage with  Grammy-winning bassist John Clayton and renowned drummer Jeff Hamilton to mark the 40th anniversary reunion of one of the great trios in jazz.

The historic event is set for the prestigious Catalina Bar & Grill 6725 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028, on July 10th from 7:30 P.M. PDT. On the same date, 40 years ago – July 10, 1976 – the trio of Alexander, Clayton and Hamilton, recorded the original classic album ‘The Monty Alexander Trio ‎– Montreux Alexander – Live! At The Montreux Festival.’

The original album was well received and featured some of Alexander’s finest recordings for the MPS label with Clayton and Hamilton. It was reissued on CD featuring Alexander playing “Satin Doll,” “Work Song” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and a version of “Feelings.”

For tickets to this one time can’t miss performance, see here

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

MONTY ALEXANDER

Pianist Monty Alexander is an American classic. At 71, he tours the world relentlessly with various projects, delighting a global audience drawn to his vibrant personality and soulful message. His spirited conception, documented on more than 70 CDs, draws upon the timeless verities: endless melody-making, effervescent grooves, sophisticated voicings, a romantic spirit, and a consistent predisposition “to build up the heat and kick up a storm,” as Alexander puts it.

In the course of any given performance, Alexander applies those aesthetics to repertoire spanning a  broad range of jazz and Jamaican musical expression – the American songbook and the blues, gospel and bebop, calypso and reggae. Like his “eternal inspiration” – Erroll Garner –  Alexander is cited as the fifth greatest jazz pianist ever in The Fifty Greatest Jazz Piano Players of All Time (Hal Leonard Publishing) and mentioned in Robert Doerschuk’s ‘88: The Giants of Jazz Piano.’ He gives the hardcore jazz-obsessed, much to dig into while also communicating the message to the squarest “civilian.”

For more on the Monty Alexander and his music visit him on YouTube or at montyalexander.com. You can also like him on Facebook at facebook.com/officialmontyalexander or keep up to date on his performance on Twitter at @montyHKE.

JOHN CLAYTON

John Clayton is a natural born multi-tasker, excelling as a composer, arranger, conductor, producer, educator, and an extraordinary bassist. His skills have garnered him a number of challenging assignments and commissions. With a Grammy on his shelf and eight additional  nominations, artists such as Diana Krall, Paul McCartney, Regina Carter, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Gladys Knight, Queen Latifah, and Charles Aznavour vie for a spot on his crowded calendar. Clayton is the co-founder of the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra and is a former bass teacher at Cal State Long Beach, UCLA, USC and the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. Now, in addition  to individual clinics, workshops,  and private students as schedule permits, he also directs the educational components  associated with the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, Centrum Festival, and Vail Jazz Party.

His career highlights include arranging the ‘Star Spangled Banner” for Whitney Houston’s performance at Super Bowl 1990, which went platinum;  playing bass on Paul McCartney’s CD “ Kisses On The Bottom;”  arranging and playing bass with Yo-Yo Ma and  Friends on “Songs of Joy and Peace;” arranging playing and conducting the 2009 CD  “Charles Aznavour With the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra,” and numerous recordings with  Diana Krall, the Clayton Brothers, the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz, Orchestra, Milt Jackson, Monty Alexander and many others.

JEFF HAMILTON

Originality is what versatile drummer Jeff Hamilton brings to the groups he performs with and is  one of the reasons why he is constantly in demand, whether he is recording or performing with his trio, Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, the Clayton Brothers or co-leading the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra. Hamilton’s recording, ‘It’s Hamilton Time,’ (Lake Street Records), received enormous  airplay while reaching #5 on the Gavin national jazz radio chart.

His trio’s second release, ‘Jeff Hamilton Trio-LIVE!,’ (MONS) was nominated by critics for best jazz recording in Germany in 1997. The trio’s second MONS release was entitled, ‘Hands On.’ ‘Hamilton House-Live at Steamers,’ (MONS) was the trio’s 2000 release.

As well as recording and performing throughout the world, Hamilton also teaches, arranges and composes. He has received rave reviews for his dynamic drumming. In addition to his many recordings with Ray Brown, Hamilton has been on nearly 200 recordings with artists such as Natalie Cole, Diana Krall, Milt Jackson, Rosemary Clooney, Barbara Streisand, Mel Torme, John Pizzarelli, Benny Carter, Lalo Schifrin, George Shearing, Dr. John, Clark Terry, Gene Harris, Toshiko Akioshi, Scott Hamilton, Harry “ Sweets”  Edison, Keely Smith, Bill Holman, Herb Ellis, Barney Kessel and Mark Murphy. He is a frequent guest of the WDR Big Band in Cologne, Germany and has also appeared in Natalie Cole’s Great Performances PBS special, ‘Unforgettable’ and an Oscar Peterson documentary, ‘Life In The Key Of Oscar.’

MEDIA CONTACT:

Felicia Persaud

Hard Beat Communications

718-476-3616 (phone)

[email protected](email)

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