Source: Guyana Times
Date: 8th August 2012
The CineGuyana Film Project is seeking to establish a film commission in the coming months and has been attracting corporate sponsorship from local business entities. Digicel Guyana Public Relations Manager Shonett Moore handed over a cheque of $1 million to the director of CineGuyana Dr Paloma Mohamed at the Courts Main Street branch on Wednesday.
She said her company was impressed with the quality of films coming out of the project so far, as well as the varying and unique storylines. Moore added that Digicel remains committed to the preservation of Guyana’s rich cultural heritage. She is of the belief that the industry has huge potential, and looks forward to more excellent reviews in the coming years. The Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and Courts Guyana have also contributed $1 million and $250,000 respectively to film projects.
Dr Mohamed, who described the initiative as a leap of faith, said the project has experienced difficulty in securing sponsorship because of its emerging nature. Emphasising the dividends of such investments, she disclosed that some of the productions so far, including eight short films, have already been showcased at film festivals in Nigeria, Barbados, New York and the British Virgin Islands.
Dr Mohamed, who also heads the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Guyana, stressed that the creative industries in Guyana are virtually untapped and worth trillions of dollars. She added that the market demand is broad in terms of sourcing novel storylines, new actors, producers and other necessities associated with the film industry.
Dr Mohamed said that Guyana is hoping to have both the legislative and physical framework for the film projects in place by the end of October, and within the space of 18 months, to allow for local film making. She detailed that Trinidadian film specialist Dr Bruce Paddington is expected in Guyana as early as August 17 to assist in establishing a film institute here.
Dr Paddington will be hosting a workshop as well as a public screening at the Moray House Trust, on August 18, on the emergence of the film industry in Guyana and the Caribbean.
“When we started the project, we had no idea what it could turn out to be. However, it has been a touching, moving and enriching experience,” Mohamed said of the eight short films recently produced.
This project, she said, could be the brand to push Guyana forward in a positive light, adding that she was amazed by the number of young people who showed interest.
Dr Mohamed noted that the project would demand not only educational talent, but also technical skills, including lighting, sound, drivers, make-up, stylists and stage management.
She pointed out that over 180 persons were trained last year in this regard.
Georgetown Chamber of Commerce President Clinton Urling said there are many skeptics with regard to the film industry, since it is largely underdeveloped. He noted that the CineGuyana Project is the perfect platform to showcase Guyana’s budding film industry, and erase the air of skepticism. “It’s hard selling emerging industries because there are always skeptics, but I held fast because I knew the quality of the film makers in Guyana,” Urling pointed out. According to Urling, when the chamber of commerce pledged it support for emerging and infant industries, CineGuyana film was one of the first initiatives which actually received support. After attending the premier of the eight short films, Urling said he was definitely wowed into approaching the chamber’s council in order to solicit sponsorship for the film programme.
“I was prepared to go it alone and provide the $1 million just in case I didn’t manage to convince the council to contribute, but I received unanimous support and then I sent out the requests to members of the business community,” the chamber president revealed.
Court Guyana Marketing Manager Tamara Rodney, during brief remarks, pointed to the importance of nurturing culture, showcasing talent and keeping traditions alive.