DESPITE THEIR commitment to film, JAMPRO has parted company with the 'Jamerican Film and Music Festival'. This year the festival, dubbed 'Cinema Inna Yard 2002', is slated to take place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Montego Bay from November 20 to 24.
The Gleaner spoke with Michael McMorris, executive director of Markets at JAMPRO. He stated that while the company still believes that the Jamerican festival is a worthwhile venture, it cannot at present fulfill JAMPRO's film mandates. He noted that JAMPRO had become involved with the film festival because they sought to bring greater exposure to the local film industry through networking, workshops, panel discussions and the personalities who turn up for the event.
Another goal was to showcase Jamaica as a great location for films as well as to showcase Jamaican talent both in front of and behind the camera. McMorris explained that at present, the Jamerican Film Festival is not maximising these goals. "We believe it has not grown to the level we need it to be," explained Mr. McMorris. He noted that while he maintained that the festival's creator and host, Sheryl Lee Ralph, has the best intentions, they simply do not seem to be headed in the same direction or at least are going different routes to get there.
Mr. McMorris explained that what they had hoped for was greater local participation on the level of workshops and the
judging of the films etc.
