06/24/2013
The 2013 Caribbean Film Festival was a success, and I have so many people to thank for this. My daughters Jacqui Brown and Jordan Brown were always at my side and had my back to make sure all the little things went smoothly so that I could take care of the bigger things. My right hand man/technical person/projectionist/more than just a co-worker, Stan Sewell has been a 6 year long source of support for the Caribbean Film Festival; and I tease him that he isn't even from the Caribbean. I have conferred honorary Caribbean status on him though. Other family members like Jheanelle Brown, my cineaste daughter and my mother and brother also offered valuable support. My friend Vanessa Fisher and her daughter Karis threw themselves into volunteering at some of the events and were a great help. The Guyana Association of Georgia, Atlanta Jamaican-Association, Royal Caribbean Bakery, Stir it up restaurant, and the Roaming Chef all donated delicious refreshments so that film festival attendees could enjoy Caribbean themed refreshments. Georgia Caribbean American Heritage Coalition supported me with their partnership and publicity. Evelia Hinds and Jean Bushnell along with their friends provided refreshments for the Panama Canal film reception. Filmmaker and author Clairmont Chung came in from NY at his own expense for the film screening; and local filmmaker Andrew Brereton for 'Born to run' and producer Tina Dunkley for 'The Merikins' also facilitated discussions at the films. Paul Doyle, agent for top Jamaican and international athletes was also in attendance for 'Born to run' and fielded questions. All of these persons and others each contributed in their own way to the success of 'the little film festival that could'. My final thanks go to my audience members who return year after year to support me, and also spread the word about the festival in this effort to showcase Caribbean culture through film. Your support is invaluable and greatly appreciated. Planning is already underway for 2014 so stay tuned. I just got my first permission to screen a film in the 2014 lineup today. Thank you, thank you, thank you! If I have forgotten anyone, please forgive me.
