The 19th Annual Caribbean Tales International Film Festival kicks off in grand style

BY PAUL JUNOR

The 19^th Annual Caribbean Tales International Film Festival (CTFF) kicked off in grand style on Saturday, September 7^th, 2024, at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre. There were: community supporters, friends, family members and well-wishers in attendance at this 87^th birthday celebration of Jean Augustine. Highlights were Trinidad’s musical fusionist Mungal Patasar and Toronto’s Jazz man Eddie Bullen. The evening’s event was co-hosted by the Caribbean Tales Film Festival.

The press release sent out by Festival Director Diana Webley on Wednesday, August 28^th, 2024, describes what to expect at the birthday celebration. She writes, “This is the third year that we are hosting this celebratory night for Dr. Augustine who is a national treasure. We take this opportunity to showcase and honour those from the Caribbean diaspora who have risen to the same level of excellence in their chosen industry as the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman Member of Parliament.”

Trician Renee Edwards served as the mistress of ceremony, and she highlights the importance of the historic day. She spoke about the Caribbean Tales International Film Festival (CTFF) that ran from September 5^th to 15^th. She mentioned that it is “An annual event that celebrates the talents of established and emerging filmmakers of Caribbean and African descent who practice their art across the Caribbean Diaspora worldwide.”

The evening opened with a short poetry film titled, “Who We Were, Who We Became” by Darshan Gajjar. It was described in the program as a love song foregrounding the memories, faith, and joy-making of the Windrush generation. It follows their final island moments and their journey to England.

The evening featured the film, “Iconography: Mungal Patasar” which was directed by Mikgail Gibbings and Teneka Mohamed. It tells the story of this iconic Trinidad’s musical fusionist. The press release states, “The Indo-Trinidadian musician is world renowned for his East meets West fusion of India’s sitar and Trinidad’s national instrument, the steelpan.”

There was interesting: aspects, inspiring stories, and engaging facts from the screening of the iconography with highly recognized and world-renowned Mungal Patasar and Professor Dr. Harold Headley in the audience. The highlight of the birthday celebration was a special performance featuring Patassar and Dr. Headley. They performed two pieces together. At the end of the performance, Dr. Headley performed a special selection in honour of Patassar.

Brampton’s Deputy Mayor Singh delivered a proclamation on behalf of Patrick Brown, Mayor of Brampton. It reads, “September 9^th, Dr. Jean Augustine Day.” Dewitt Lee presented Dr. Jean Augustine with a well-deserved and important certificate for her work.

The 2^nd annual presentation of the Jean Augustine Excellence Award was given to: pianist, composer, arranger and producer Eddie Bullen. He is well known in the Black, African and Canadian community and across Canada for his numerous musical accomplishments and work. The press release mentioned that he has worked with: Caribbean, Canadian, and American artists such as: Byron Lee, Maestro, David Rudder, and Liberty Silver.

In his acceptance speech he thanked his father who was a positive role model to him and his mother. He mentioned that it was a positive experience growing up in a musical environment and that his father’s influence was a strong force that impacted his choice of career which he has passed on to his son.