REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL HISTORY
The REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL 2008 presented 20 films over three nights in the presence
of film makers and actors from Spain, Germany, the UK, USA, Canada and Britain and the
Reggae Film Festival was declared a success. Several of the films shown have since received
international exposure and distribution as a result of the international media coverage of the
REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL, including the German feature film ‘ALMOST HEAVEN” and the
reggae documentary “DUB ECHOES”.
In 2009 the event was scaled down due to economic constraints and 7 films were presented
at venues in Kingston and Ocho Rios. Once again the REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL proved an
excellent marketing tool for Jamaican and reggae-themed films, when public acclaim and
publicity about the documentary WHY DO JAMAICANS RUN SO FAST? about Jamaica’s Beijing
Olympic success caused it to be invited to participate in international film festivals, winning the
Milano Sports TV Garland of Honour award for 2009.
REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL 2010
After the great success of these two REGGAE FILM FESTIVALS, we presented a bigger and better
event in 2010 to achieve our aim to see the Reggae Film Festival as Jamaica’s international film
event of the year. The Jonkanoo Lounge of the Hilton Kingston Hotel was transformed into a
cinema for nightly and daytime screenings from February 25-27 . Additional screenings were
held at the Cove Restaurant, an open-air venue. Both venues provided opportunities before and
for film makers, directors, distributors and media companies to meet, share ideas and create
links for new film projects..
