Shot List celebrates cinematic talent, international film collabs

The third staging of Shot List is set to take place on Sunday, May 26 at the Sunken Gardens, Hope Gardens in Kingston. The 10-hour event – from 2 p.m. to midnight – which is organised by the Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA) in collaboration with We Are Parable, is dedicated to the growth of the local film industry through showcasing short films, capacity building workshops and panel discussions.

With an increased patronage each year, evidenced in the approximately 1700 attendees last year, this year promises to be a celebration of cinematic talent and international collaboration.

Saeed Thomas, president of JAFTA, is welcoming a collaborative approach to the development of the local film industry. He underscored the importance of both private and public sector partners as well as aspiring filmmakers in building an increased appetite for experiences like Shot List.

“This is a special year for film in Jamaica as it is the first year of the Jamaican Screen Development Initiative’s billion dollar fund for filmmakers provided by the Government, which aims to support and strengthen the local screen-based industries by providing a pool of funds accessible for the completion of eligible screen-based projects across various stages of development,” Thomas said.

Teanne Andrews, co-founder and director of operations at We Are Parable, noted that the last two years “have shown that Shot List creates visibility and collaborative opportunities for filmmakers from the United Kingdom and Jamaica”.

Shot List will be supported for the first time by the UK-based Eon Productions, which is the company responsible for the James Bond Franchise.

Shot List will feature four workshops showcasing the possibility of market expansion into the UK and Africa. Experienced facilitators will explore topics such as cinematography, music video production, and the business of film. The panel discussions will feature select cast and crew of the Bob Marley: One Love movie and also delve into the evolution of music videos within Jamaica. A special acting workshop will focus on monologues.

Lesley-Ann Wanliss, business development director of JAFTA, emphasised the organisation’s commitment to community and capacity building, and announced that for the first time the association will honour members who have spent more than 30 years in the local film industry.