By Stephen Weir

The 19th annual CaribbeanTales Film Festival (CTFF) kicked off last Wednesday night in its new home at the CTFF Hub on Dundas Street West near Bathurst, marking a significant departure from its traditional venues. The move to this more intimate space, away from costly theatres, represents a bold financial shift for the organization, allowing more funds to be directed towards supporting Caribbean films and filmmakers.

In previous years, the festival’s opening night was a large, lively affair, often held at prominent venues like Harbourfront or major movie theatres. The excitement extended to the streets, with crowds gathering to enjoy live music, spot local celebrities, and catch a glimpse of big names like the Mighty Sparrow and Machel Montano. This year, however, the scene was quieter. The CTFF Hub, a smaller venue with a 150-foot-wide screen, replaced plush theatre seats with a more comfortable setup. Despite the lack of air conditioning, the atmosphere was welcoming.

The night’s film lineup featured stories from Canada, St. Lucia, and France/Haiti. One standout was Cébé, a 25-minute film about a modest housekeeper in France who returns to Haiti to perform a Voodoo service for her late mother. Another highlight was the Canadian film A Letter from the Fathers by Tristan Barrocks, which received a tearful and enthusiastic response from the audience. The film explores the emotional highs and lows of fatherhood through the stories of four men. One of the fathers from the film was present at the screening, attracting attention from social media journalists eager to interview him.

The evening closed with the premiere of Garvey’s Ghost, a new Caribbean-Canadian TV series based on the life of Denham Jolly, the founder of Flow Radio and a key figure in Toronto’s Black activist community. Although both Jolly and the show’s creator, Frances-Anne Solomon, were unable to attend the premiere, the audience responded positively to the first episode of the comedy series.

The move to the CTFF Hub may have changed the scale of the event, but it allowed for a more personal and community-focused experience, highlighting the festival’s commitment to celebrating Caribbean culture and stories.

There are still plenty of events to enjoy before the CaribbeanTales Film Festival ends on Sunday.

Friday at CTFF 2024: The festival will feature a ticketed LGBTQ+ night at the 837 Dundas Street W Hub, from 7:30 to 10:30 PM. This annual Signature Night will showcase the following films:

• Outside Center by Eli Tahchi

• Under the Same Roof by Daniela Rojo

• Still Waters by Katia Café-Fébrissy

• The Fisherman’s Daughter by Edgar de Luque Jácome

Saturday, September 14, 7:30 PM: The festival’s second Signature Night, Standout Shorts, will screen a selection of Caribbean short films at the Hub. The ticketed event includes:

• Trinidad Remains by Karen Martinez

• A Shade of Indigo by Hanif James

• Asema by Loelle Mosanto

Sunday, September 15, 7:30 PM: The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival concludes its 19th edition with the Annual Awards Ceremony at its Dundas St. W headquarters, followed by an evening of stellar screenings. The final screening program includes:

• Over the River Chronicles by Monique Johnson and Clyornique Durrant

• The Draft by Jephté Bastien

• The Life Coach by Afroglobal Television’s Patricia Bebia-Mawa

As the legendary Yogi Berra once said, “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.” CTFF offers a digital component, with 50 films, many feature-length, available online until October 4. Digital passes can be purchased on the festival’s website.

Friday, September 20, 7:30–9:30 PM: The Beaches Sandbox (2181 Queen Street East, Toronto) will host a ticketed wrap-up presentation, featuring standout films from the festival. “This is your last chance to enjoy the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival in person this year. Discover vibrant stories from emerging filmmakers of Caribbean and African heritage practicing their art across the global Caribbean Diaspora,” explained a festival organizer.