Caribbean Tales are now accepting submissions for their summer film festival that will take place June 8th-13th 2010 in Toronto Canada. On June 2 2009 Barack Obama named June ?Caribbean Heritage Month?, to honor the cultural, social and economic contributions of millions of Caribbean people who have made their homes in North America.

He said: ?They have brought a unique and vibrant culture. Their multilingual and multiethnic traditions have strengthened our social fabric. They have made their mark in every facet of our society, from art to athletics and science to service. ?

For our 5th Festival in 2010, we celebrate our Caribbean OURStory. Artistic Director and Festival Founder Frances-Anne Solomon says: “For this milestone festival we recognise and celebrate all the different journeys that have brought us to this time and place from the corners of the world. Caribbean culture is global yet distinctive. Our stories draw on everything, and are unique for that reason. Our films reflect that.”

With a growing international awareness of the Caribbean’s burgeoning media industry, the CaribbeanTales Film Festival aims to entertain and educate through a series of industry panels, filmmakers’ presentations, and networking opportunities, alongside 5 days of entertaining film screenings and stimulating talk-back sessions. The much buzzed about 2009 CaribbeanTales Film Festival ? ?A Tool for Education and Social Change? was a huge success, screening an astounding 72 of the best Caribbean films from around the world.

The festival welcomed over 50 international guests. The high point took place at our Annual Tribute Awards Ceremony that honored the careers of a number of movers and shakers in the Caribbean film industry, including Christopher Laird, Co-Founder and CEO of Gayelle (Lifetime Achievement Award) Canadian-Jamaican actor Michael Miller (Rising Star Award) Anime Caribe?s Camille Selvon Abrahams (Innovation Award), and Barbadian-Canadian actor, director, and producer Alison Sealey Smith (Award for Excellence). Internationally acclaimed Martiniquan filmmaker Euzhan Palcy who came from France to receive the festival?s Award of Honor spoke movingly of the impact of this Festival.

“It is most important to me that we as Caribbean people be able to express love and appreciation for each other, not just in our films, but in relation to each other. For that, I treasure this award above others.” Said Ms Palcy, whose first film Black Shack Alley, produced in 1983, remains a seminal Caribbean cinematic achievement.

We invite filmmakers of Caribbean heritage, or who have a film with a focus on the Caribbean to participate in this monumental festival, North America’s only stand alone Caribbean Film Festival. Please submit by March 31st 2010 to be considered for the CaribbeanTales 5th Annual Film Festival.

We look forward to seeing your work!

Submissions can be sent to:
CaribbeanTales Film Festival Submissions
99 Gore Vale Avenue
Toronto
ON M6J 2R5
www.caribbeantales.ca
caribbeantales2009@gmail.com
416-598-1410

Submission Deadline: March 31st 2009

*Please note that submissions will not be returned

CaribbeanTales’ mandate is to foster and encourage intercultural understanding and citizen participation through the creation, distribution and presentation of films, videos, new media and events that reflect the diversity and creativity of Caribbean-Canadian and Caribbean-Diasporic heritage and culture. Our vision is to contribute to an inclusive Canadian society by celebrating the rich traditions of Caribbean heritage storytelling.