When you talk about shaping the future of innovation, storytelling, and art, you have to talk about the Animae Caribe Festival.
This annual event, now in its 24th year, highlights the creative genius of local storytellers through the medium of animation.
The Animae Caribe Festival showcases the power of the animated film industry, portrays local narratives, and creates new employment streams for young people across the Caribbean. This year’s festival is being celebrated under the theme “Art, Content and the Future.”
Speaking at the official media launch of the three-day festival on Thursday, Founder and Creative Executive Producer of the Animae Caribe Festival, Camille Selvon, emphasised the need for a unifying project to elevate the Caribbean animation sector, focusing on capacity building and regional collaboration.
“Through this project, Caribbean creatives will gain access to high-level international production, opening career pathways and building long-term capacity.”
One example of regional unity through animation is the newly produced film “Champions of the Galaxy” which has been endorsed by cricket legend DJ Dwayne Bravo. It aims to connect national identity to the universal element of cricket.
Ms. Selvon stated that the film aims to resonate with members of our diaspora and build upon important groundwork previously established by other local creatives.
“Cricket stands as a universal force, shared across continents, not just the Caribbean. It is rooted in our history and capable of reshaping narratives of inclusion, which is why we are doing it. The underlying tone of it is about inclusion, it is about diversity, it is about identity, and cricket offered the project foundation to build a story, reflect who we are and who we aspire to be.”
Another Creative Executive Producer of Animae Caribe, Bruno Zarka, noted the festival continues to transform the local landscape of the animation film industry and sets the stage for local animation productions to compete on the global stage.
He emphasised the importance of creating local animated films that leverage the region’s unique culture and inspire children across the Caribbean.
“As I was entering your IMAX here, I saw only American movies, not one of yours. So in all of Trinidad, no one makes local movies? I don’t believe it, no? It’s a good question, so that’s why I am here. That’s why I was so proud to be a part of this adventure.”
The three-day festival will continue daily screenings of various regional animated films until November 29th, at the IMAX cinemas in Port of Spain.