Thirty films from contemporary world cinema will screen at the 2014 trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff/14).
This announcement of the Panorama section of films rounds out the ttff/14 lineup. It completes an already impressive roster of films, which comprises three other sections: feature-length Caribbean films, short and medium length films, and the New Media section of experimental films, video art and interactive works.
In all almost 150 films will be screened at the ttff/14, which runs from September 16–30.
The Panorama section is made up of narrative films and documentaries from around the world, including Trinidad and Tobago’s “heritage” countries and regions, which include India and countries in Africa. There will also be films from Latin America, the UK, Canada, USA, France, and—for the first time—the Middle East.
Many of these films had their premiere at such prestigious film festivals as Cannes, Sundance and the Toronto International Film Festival. Some are also films chosen by their respective countries to vie for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards.
One of the films to be screened in the Panorama section is the much-anticipated British drama Belle, directed by Amma Asante. Based on true events, it tells the story of an 18th-century noblewoman, Dido Belle Lindsay, who was born to a white father and black enslaved mother.
Other films in this section include Omar, directed by Hany Abu-Assad, an acclaimed thriller from Palestine; The Liberator, directed by Venezuela’s Alberto Arvelo, a sweeping biographical portrait of the freedom fighter Simón Bolívar; and, out of India, Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox, a romantic drama starring Irrfan Khan (Slumdog Millionaire, Life of Pi) that has had great global success.
“While the Festival’s focus is on films from T&T and the Caribbean, it has always made room for films from world cinema in its lineup,” said Emilie Upczak, the ttff’s Creative Director.
“The purpose of this is two-fold. One, we like to present our audiences with as much of a variety of films as possible. But we also want to give local filmmakers exposure to the kinds of films their peers from around the world—who are working in an independent context as well—are making.”
The full schedule of ttff/14 screening dates, times and venues will be released soon. To see the full selection of Panorama films showing at the ttff/14, visit www.ttfilmfestival.com/panorama.t
About the trinidad+tobago film festival
Founded in 2006, the ttff is an annual celebration of films from and about Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and its diaspora. The Festival also screens films curated from contemporary world cinema. In addition, the ttff seeks to facilitate the growth of the Caribbean film industry by hosting workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities. The Festival is presented by Flow, and given leading sponsorship by bpTT and TTFC. For further information visit www.ttfilmfestival.com.
Caption for photo: stills from Belle (Amma Asante/UK/2013)
