Caribbean creatives need to ‘cash in on int’l resources’
Jamaican film-makers represent in Cape Town at Fame Week Africa
Published:Monday | September 16, 2024 | 12:07 AM
Orville Matherson, chief executive officer of Yaad Boiiz Productions Limited, believes that Jamaican creatives should aggressively seek out financial resources and co-production opportunities to tell Jamaican narratives, or risk outsiders bringing these authentic local stories to global audiences.
“We’re not cashing in, that’s for sure. The African diaspora had co-production with Canada to the tune of several millions of US dollars, and this is not private information, but most local creatives don’t know about it. We’re not taking advantage of resources like this, and that’s a shame,” Matherson said.
“If we don’t tell our stories, other people will tell our stories for us. Over the years, several film productions have come here and told our stories, often bypassing our creatives. So we don’t get to participate, and then we have a situation where others tell our stories from their point of view.”
Matherson brought his expertise and a line-up of successful films to the prestigious MIP Fame Week held in Cape Town, South Africa, earlier this month. The event was held between September 1 to 5. He travelled to Cape Town to seek out valuable partnerships and networking opportunities.
“At the end, I want the people to know that the delegation was a tremendous success because many groundbreaking initiatives took place that I cannot speak of right now, but which JAMPRO [Jamaica Promotions Corporation] will discuss in their soon-to-be press briefing about the trip,” Matherson said.
Fame Week Africa is the go-to event for African creatives, providing them with a platform to bring their ingrained talent, African stories, and African culture to the forefront. JAMPRO is an agency of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce that promotes business opportunities in export and investment to the local and international private sector.
EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS
Matherson, known for his work on acclaimed Jamaican films such as A Dance for Grace and Jamaican Mafia, was part of a delegation representing Jamaica at this world-renowned entertainment convention.
His latest film, Behind Closed Doors, and upcoming project Jamaican Mafia Pt 2 were a focal point of his efforts at the event.
Matherson said that MIP Fame Week exceeded his expectations, offering a platform not only to present his work, but also to witness the growing respect for Jamaican film-makers on the global stage.
“The synergy among the Jamaican delegates reminded me that when we come together as a country, we can accomplish anything. Attendees were flocking to our booth just to meet the Jamaicans, because everyone had been talking about our energy and the incredible work we’re doing,” he added.
Matherson also emphasised the warm hospitality of the South African people, noting how their graciousness made the Jamaican delegation felt at home. “The people of South Africa were graceful and welcoming, similar to how we Jamaicans treat our visitors,” he remarked.
Jackie Jackson, a key figure in Jamaica’s film development efforts, played a pivotal role during the event, serving on two panel discussions. When asked to introduce herself, Jackson shifted the focus to her fellow delegates, giving each of them the opportunity to share their journey as content creators. Matherson commended both Jackie and Kevin Jackson for their tireless efforts in connecting the delegation with the right industry players.
Matherson’s primary objectives at MIP Fame Week were to secure distribution for Behind Closed Doors and explore production partnerships for the highly anticipated Jamaican Mafia Part 2. Thanks to the efforts of JAMPRO and the networking opportunities at the event, Matherson is now in talks with several distributors from the Middle East, Europe, the UK, and streaming platforms such as Netflix.
Reflecting on the experience, Matherson expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity and thanked Jackie Jackson and her second-in-command, Kevin Jackson, and the entire JAMPRO team for their recognition and his inclusion among this talented group of Jamaicans.
“The efforts they’ve made to uplift and assist content creators like myself is invaluable for expanding our reach, and it bodes well for the immediate future of Jamaica’s film industry,” Matherson stated.
With new international partnerships on the horizon, Yaad Boiiz Productions continues to showcase the immense potential of Jamaican cinema; and Matherson remains committed to bringing authentic Caribbean stories to global audiences.
“It is my belief that if other content creators from the Caribbean should unite the way they did in the African region, then we will be a force to be reckoned with, because we have so many stories to tell that will be well received on a global scale,” he concluded.