THE JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY
The REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL is organized by THE JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY, an organization established at the first event in 2008 with the induction of 6 Jamaican Film Pioneers: CHRIS BLACKWELL, CARL BRADSHAW, SALLY HENZELL, TREVOR RHONE, FRANKLYN ST. JUSTE and CYNTHIA WILMOT.
PURPOSE
To create an umbrella for Jamaican film incorporating and utilizing all the disparate sectors of the film industry in the areas of:
- Production
- Archiving
- Screening
- Training
ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
The Jamaica Film Academy will be established as a legal entity, non-Government organization, managed by an administrative body acting under instructions from an Executive Board.
TRAINING & PRODUCTION BASE
The JFA will provide space for studios, artist and crew offices, equipment storage, editing and post-production.
FILM FINANCE
The biggest obstacle to production of Jamaican films is financing. The JFA will seek sources of funding to establish a Cultural Industries Film Fund by:
- Institutional funding
- Sponsorship
- Venture Capital
- International Funding
- Donations
ACADEMY ACTIVITIES
- Production of at least 4 Feature Films per year
- Training: Expanding role of existing film schools & studios (CPTC, CARIMAC, PBCJ, JIS)
- Targeting script writers: Inviting screenplays via annual competition
- Encouraging documentary and short film productions by young/new film makers
- Hosting Workshops, seminars, conferences, etc.
- Marketing: Distribution of Jamaican films via film festivals, film market expos, internet, direct sales at airports, craft shops, hotels, video stores, etc.
- Investment: Encouraging investors by lobbying for government tax incentives
- Supporting the upgrading and streamlining of the National Film Archives, Jamaica Audio-Visual Archives (PBCJ), Jamaican National Archives and film archives of the JIS to accommodate the establishment of a comprehensive Jamaica Film Archive.
- Formally establish and develop criteria for a National Film Awards/Hall of Fame.
- Review existing structures and legislation governing film, with a view to consolidate, enhance and maximize the benefits.
FUTURE PLANS FOR JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY
- Introduce an annual film scriptwriting competition as part of the JCDC Festival competition, with the winner/s receiving funding to make the film/s.
- Establish a film bank for licensing clips/footage.
- Appoint a new film making class/teacher in an existing school to teach film making as well as script writing, to pave the way for Jamaican film makers of the future and ensure there is no lack of film makers and script writers.
- Introduce a programme to give a video camera to each parish in JA, and teach one member of the community (a school teacher?) to make films via a one-week or weekend course.
- Offer special and new Incentives for films makers to come to Jamaica,such as links with airlines offering special rates for directors/producers in return for on-screen promotion with advertising to the film community.
- Providing special services to work with film makers and guide them through the whole process of coming to Jamaica to make a film, helping with contacts for production teams, lighting, contacts, etc.
RATIONALIZATION OF GOVERNMENT FILM ENTITIES
Government presently has several entities and agencies with film production capacity. These include the JIS, CPTC, CTV and PBCJ. The Ministry also operates the Culture Division, the National Heritage Trust, the Institute of Jamaica, the National Library and the National Gallery, all of which have responsibility to highlight and preserve Jamaican culture. These agencies and divisions presently operate without an overall plan that prioritizes the use of cinema in preservation of Jamaican culture. The JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY will utilize all these available government resources to co-ordinate and work on major national film projects and the rationalization and use of these resources.
THE JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY -
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Barbara Blake Hannah
2008 INDUCTEES
CARL BRADSHAW - Actor, Producer
CHRIS BLACKWELL - Producer
FRANKLYN 'CHAPPIE' ST. JUSTE - Cinematographer
TREVOR RHONE - Film Script Writer
SALLY HENZELL - Art Director
CYNTHIA WILMOT - Documentarist