16 days of GATFFEST for 2023
Jamaican-Canadian filmmaker debuts ‘When Morning Comes’
Published:Sunday | June 11, 2023 | 12:46 AM
GATFFEST, the largest community film festival in the Caribbean, will this year host a record 16 days of activities from June 19 to July 2, and will screen a total of 51 films at the Palace Cineplex in Sovereign Centre, festival director, Savannah Peridot, revealed recently at the launch.
There will be two premiere events, the Opening Night Gala, at which The Untold Legacy of the UWI Mona Principals will be screened, and GATFFEST UWI 75th Anniversary Premiere. On June 20, there will be the Film Pitch Premiere hosted by the French Embassy and two films from the winners of the competition held in December 2022 will be screened.
‘”This year, for the film screening nights, we have partnered with the embassies and consulates of Canada, Spain, Japan, Colombia, Germany, France, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and CARIMAC. In addition, we will also have international and Jamaica nights and a community film night,” Peridot said.
Among the 51 films to be screened will be the Canadian-Jamaican film, When Morning Comes, the feature debut from filmmaker Kelly Fyffe-Marshall. It will make its international premiere on June 21. According to the synopsis, the film “beautifully captures the poignant journey of Jamal, a young Jamaican boy facing the difficult decision of leaving his home to live with his grandmother in Canada. Fueled by exceptional performances from a talented cast, including breakthrough talent Djamari Roberts, the film explores themes of sacrifice, family dynamics, and the universal desire for a better future.”
For the premiere, Fyffe-Marshall will be visiting Jamaica from Canada, and members of the local cast and crew, including Djamari Roberts, Shaquana Wilson, Paul Campbell, Naomi Cowan, Jarden Crooks, Oliver Samuels and Simon Tomlinson will also be in attendance.
Described as “a must-see cinematic experience,” When Morning Comes is showcased as “a love letter to the strength and resilience of immigrant mothers, beautifully portrayed through a visually poetic and emotionally resonant narrative”.
Fyffe-Marshall, who was born in England to parents of Jamaican and Bajan heritage, moved to Canada at age 11, where she has been a dedicated director, screenwriter and social activist. She was accepted into Seneca at York’s TV Broadcast programme and graduated in the midst of a recession and decided to begin adding to her portfolio by directing music videos and creating branded content. “Film was the only time people let their guard down,” said Fyffe-Marshall, “The power there could be used for good to share impactful stories and give them to people while they’re in that state.”
When Morning Comes holds significant relevance in today’s global context, highlighting the sacrifices and challenges faced by individuals seeking a better life for themselves and their loved ones.
GATFFEST, which serves as a platform for the exposure of film-making talents of directors, producers, casts and crews, presents an opportunity to showcase new and emerging filmmakers who are telling stories through a mix of short films and documentaries. Now in its 11th staging, GATFFEST which has its roots in the community is organised by the Mona Social Services and UWI Community Film Project at The University of the West Indies.
The film festival features premieres, workshops, community film nights and special events.