CaribPR Wire

The Extraordinary Life and Times of Trinidad’s Ulric Cross Opens

The New York African Film Festival at Film at Lincoln Center

For Immediate Release:

CaribPR Wire, New York, NY, Mon. May 20, 2019: Director Frances-Anne Solomon’s acclaimed feature film HERO inspired by Trinidad and Tobago war hero Ulric Cross will have its U.S premiere at the 26th New York African Film Festival’s (NYAFF) Opening Night at the prestigious Film at Lincoln Center. It takes place on Thursday, May 30 at 6:30pm at the Walter Reade Theater, 165 West 65^th Street, NY.

“We are honored to be opening this important festival,” says Solomon. “This is a story that resonates with audiences around the world. From his career in the Air Force, to his time as a lawyer and judge working behind the scenes in the independence movements of Ghana, Cameroon and Tanzania, Ulric’s life blazed a trail that inspires us all.”

HERO headlines NYAFF’s recognition of the 100^th anniversary of the first Pan-African Congress with a showcase of films about Pan-Africanism and global game changers. Cross left Trinidad in 1941 to become the RAF’s ’s most decorated West Indian navigator. But his life took a different course when, along with a number of other notable West Indians, he followed the call of history and joined the Pan-African and independence movements sweeping the world in the ’50s and ’60s.

“As we celebrate 50 years of FESPACO, which paralleled the independence movements of Africa, we have to remember that achieving our liberation was integrally tied to the diaspora. In HERO we get a slice of how our diasporan counterparts advocated for the liberation of the Continent,” said Mahen Bonetti, African Film Festival, Inc., Executive Director and NYAFF Founder. “I want to thank Frances-Anne for shedding light on such a pivotal moment in our history.”

Since the HERO World tour began in February, the film has received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike in Toronto, Trinidad and the UK:

“HERO is an electrifying, dramatic motion picture, filled with twists and turns that will thrill audiences across the globe.” - Stephen Weir, Caribbean Camera

“Filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon …deserves lavish praise for showcasing an historical legend, and for helping to change the negative stereotypical portrayal of people of African descent on the screen.”

HERO boasts an all-star international cast that includes Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicolai Salcedo, in the lead role of Ulric Cross, alongside UK stars Joseph Marcell (Fresh Prince of Bel Air), Fraser James (Resident Evil), Pippa Nixon (John Carter), Canada’s Peter Williams (Stargate SG1), and Ghanaian superstars John Dumelo, Adjetey Anang and Prince David Oseia.

A second screening will take place on June 2nd at 4:15pm at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center, 144 West 65^th Street.  Both screenings will include a Q&A afterward with the director.

The New York African Film Festival is co-presented by Film at Lincoln Center and African Film Festival, Inc., and runs May 30 to June 4; more information at filmlinc.org.

For media inquiries and interviews with Frances-Anne Solomon contact:

Fennella Bruce |647.290.76.10 | [email protected]

BUY MAY 30^TH TICKETS HERE

BUY JUNE 2^nd TICKETS HERE

Watch HERO trailer here

Social media:

Facebook: @Hero4Alltime

Instagram: @Hero_Film

Twitter: @Hero_Film

Visit the HERO Website

About Film at Lincoln Center

Film at Lincoln Center is dedicated to supporting the arts and elevating the craft of cinema and enriching film culture.

Film at Lincoln Center fulfills its mission through the programming of festivals, series, retrospectives, and new releases; the publication of Film Comment; the presentation of podcasts, talks, and special events; the creation and implementation of Artist Initiatives; and our Film in Education curriculum and screenings. Since its founding in 1969, this nonprofit organization has brought the celebration of American and international film to the world-renowned arts complex Lincoln Center, making the discussion and appreciation of cinema accessible to a broad audience, and ensuring that it remains an essential art form for years to come.

Film at Lincoln Center receives generous, year-round support from The New York Times, Shutterstock, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. American Airlines is the Official Airline of Film at Lincoln Center. For more information, visit www.filmlinc.org and follow @filmlinc on Twitter and Instagram.

About African Film Festival, Inc.

For 29 years, African Film Festival, Inc. (AFF) has bridged the divide between post-colonial Africa and the American public through the powerful medium of film and video. AFF’s unique place in the international arts community is distinguished not only by leadership in festival management but also by a comprehensive approach to the advocacy of African film and culture. AFF established the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) in 1993 with Film at Lincoln Center. The New York African Film Festival is presented annually by the African Film Festival, Inc. and Film at Lincoln Center, in association with the Brooklyn Academy of Music. AFF also produces a series of local, national and international programs throughout the year. More information about AFF can be found on the Web at www.africanfilmny.org.

About Frances-Anne Solomon

Frances-Anne Solomon is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, curator and entrepreneur in film, TV, Radio and new media. Following a successful career as a TV Drama Producer and Executive Producer with the BBC in England, she launched the CaribbeanTales Media Group in Canada and Barbados, that now includes production/distribution, and training worldwide. Full bio can be found at www.francesannesolomon.com

About CaribbeanTales Media Group

CaribbeanTales (CTMG) is a group of media companies that produces, markets, and exhibits Caribbean-themed films for Regional and international distribution, including CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution, CaribbeanTales Inc – a registered Charity in Canada. Activities include The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival, now in its 14th year; the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTI) a year-round development and production hub for Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora Producers; Caribbeantales-TV a VOD streaming service for Caribbean films; and CaribbeanTalesFlix, their production arm. More info at www.caribbeantales.org

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CaribPR Wire, Toronto, ON, Tues. Jan. 29, 2019: The first Black, Caribbean-Canadian-made film of 2019 launches a limited theatrical release on Thursday, February 28, 2019. Caribbean-Canadian filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon’s internationally acclaimed feature film, HERO – Inspired By The Extraordinary Life & Times Of Ulric Cross, makes its Canadian theatrical premiere at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, located at 350 King St. W., Toronto, ON. In celebration of HERO’s achievement, Ghanian superstar Adjetey Anang, and British rising star Eric Kofi Abrefa, (Snowden, The Harlots), are confirmed to attend along with lead actor, Trinidad and Tobago’s Nickolai Salcedo and Canada’s Peter Williams, (Stargate SG1).

Trinidad & Tobago’s Nickolai Salcedo, and Canada’s Peter Williams are joined by Britain’s Eric Kofi Abrefa and Ghana’s Adjetey Anang

“Frances-Anne Solomon has done so much to bring crucial stories from the African Diaspora to screen,” said Cameron Bailey, TIFF’s Artistic Director and Co-Head. “Her portrayal of the Ulric Cross story illuminates an important chapter in Caribbean history. We’re honoured to present HERO at TIFF Bell Lightbox, in collaboration with CTFF.” Filmed in Trinidad, Ghana, the UK and Canada, HERO is the story of Ulric Cross, who in 1941, left his small island to seek his fortune, and became the Royal Air Force’s most decorated West Indian. Then his life took a dramatically different course when he followed the call of history. He joined the African independence movements sweeping the world in the 50s and 60s. Toronto’s Canadian premiere launches screenings across Canada and a cinematic world tour that includes Africa, the Caribbean and Europe.

Click to play trailer

HERO’s all-star cast of top international Black actors in powerful roles, includes Joseph Marcell, (Fresh Prince of Belair) who plays Trinidadian author CLR James, and Fraser James’ (Terminator) as Trinidadian revolutionary George Padmore; British-Nigerian actor Jimmy Akingbola plays Ghana’s first president Kwame Nkrumah, and Adjetey Anang (Adam’s Apple, Potomanto) plays Congo’s ill-fated first Prime Minister, Patrice Lumumba. Among the film’s strong female roles, Stratford Theatre’s rising star Jessica B Hill plays the role of Nicola Cross while Britain’s Pippa Nixon (John Carter, Unforgotten) plays Anne Cross, and Canada’s Valerie Buhagiar (Bad Blood, Murdoch Mysteries) plays the role of the co-antagonist, MI6 agent Daphne Park.

Click here to find out more about Hero’s all-star international team!

“HERO captures a transformative moment in Black global history. Securing a theatrical release for the film presents a significant opportunity for us to share our story with a broad and diverse audience. The film is important especially for young Black people to understand on whose broad shoulders we stand, to learn who led big lives and who were heroes,” says Frances-Anne Solomon, director and producer of HERO. “Launching at the prestigious TIFF Bell Lightbox theatre acknowledges the impact of this film on the Canadian theatre ecology and its capacity for exposure beyond the Caribbean and Africa.”

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HERO Listing: Date: Thursday, February 28, 2019 Location: TIFF Bell Lightbox, 350 King St. W., Toronto, ON M5V 3X5 7:00 p.m. Film Presentation: HERO – Inspired By The Extraordinary Life & Times Of Mr. Ulric Cross 9:15 p.m. Talk Back with the actors 10:00 p.m. After Party Visit the HERO Website

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ABOUT FRANCES-ANNE SOLOMON Frances-Anne Solomon is an award-winning filmmaker, producer, curator and entrepreneur in film, TV, Radio and new media. Following a successful career as a TV Drama Producer and Executive Producer with the BBC in England,  she launched the CaribbeanTales Media Group in Canada and Barbados, that now includes production/distribution, and training worldwide. Frances-Anne has just completed her much-anticipated new feature,  HERO Inspired by the Extraordinary Life & Times Of Mr Ulric Cross, which (while in development) won Best Feature Pitch at Discop in 2016.

ABOUT CARIBBEANTALES MEDIA GROUP CTMG is a group of media companies that produces, markets, and sells Caribbean-themed films for regional and international distribution, including: CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution, CaribbeanTales Inc –  a registered Charity in Canada, the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival now in its 14th year, the renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator (CTII) a year-round development and production hub for Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora Producers, Caribbeantales-TV a VOD  streaming service for Caribbean films; and CaribbeanTalesFlix, their production arm. For more information visit http://www.caribbeantales.ca/ Media Contact Roger Dundas, 404 Media Group | 416.918.9045 | [email protected]

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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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CaribPRWire, MIAMI, FL, Fri. May 12, 2017: Flow Caribbean viewers will get a chance to go behind the scenes of the CaribbeanTales Incubator Program (CTI) and see what it takes to bring a TV production to life, as Me On My TV reality show comes to Flow’s new regional network Flow 1 starting on May 17.

This newest product of Flow’s partnership with CaribbeanTales chronicles the journey of ten teams of Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora filmmakers who come together to compete for the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to create an original Caribbean-based TV series for Caribbean screens.

In Me on My TV, the 10 teams – selected from hundreds of applicants for the CTI, which Flow sponsors  – embark on five action-packed creative days in Toronto. Under the guidance of 12 international mentors, they pitch their TV series concepts to a room full of television industry executives at the largest film event in North America: The Toronto International Film Festival. In eight episodes viewers get to share in the tears and laughter, camaraderie and resolve, as each filmmaker works for the chance to bring their show to Caribbean TVs – but only three will come out on top.

“It’s been a pleasure to work alongside CaribbeanTales and continue to deliver Caribbean-focused content to our Flow TV viewers across the region,” said John Reid, CEO of Cable and Wireless, operator of Flow. “This series in particular is significant because it brings audiences closer to Caribbean filmmakers, letting them witness the creative process and glimpse what goes on during those inspiring CTI sessions in Toronto. Flow believes in providing original, high-quality Caribbean content to our audiences and supporting our region’s filmmakers — Me On My TV achieves both.”

CaribbeanTales Incubator founder and CEO Frances-Anne Solomon says, “Having this TV series released in the lead up to launching pilots for three original TV series is a dream come true. When we started the CaribbeanTales Incubator, this is what we envisioned: the opportunity for Caribbean audiences to watch Caribbean content designed, produced, and marketed for, by and about them.”

Multiple-award winning Martiniquan filmmaker Alain Bidard says of his experience with CTI, “It was a life-changing experience for me. I think differently, I understand the industry and I am not lost anymore. Thank you to both Flow and CaribbeanTales for the invaluable opportunity.”

Me On My TV’s executive producer is Christopher Laird and the directors are Lisa Rideout and Marvin Raftopoluos. Viewers can tune in to Flow 1 on May 17th at 9pm to find out what new shows are going to hit their TVs later this year. Each new episode will play on the eight following Wednesdays, and will have a re-run on the Fridays at 8pm. The episodes will become available on Flow on Demand and CaribbeanTales-TV.com for streaming on Saturdays.

About CaribbeanTales

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 CaribbeanTales International Film Festival that produces events around the world; the CaribbeanTales Incubator, a year-round development and production hub, and CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution, 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 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.

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