Belize is rolling out the red carpets and the silver screens as it gets ready for the 14th Annual Belize Film Festival. The festival runs from November 6 through November 10, 2019. Along with that, look out for Belize’s very own film, “My Father Belize”, which is a part of the Film Festival.
When it started in 2003, the Belize Film Festival only had 13 movies to screen. This year, festival organizers had to sift through more than 250 documentaries, full-length films, short films, animated films and music videos from over 50 countries.
The Best of Belizean and International Film
The festival is sponsored by the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) through the Institute of Creative Arts (ICA) of Belize.
Suzette Zayden, associate director of the ICA, told the Belizean media that, “They’re not just Belizean films. It is an international festival. We wanted to get Belizean movies shown on the same stage, and we’ve seen the quality of our Belizean films improve each year.”
Kicking Off With a Sprint
On September 12, the ICA kicked off the festival with an advance screening of the Jamaican filmSprinter.
Sprinter tells the story of a young man who’s aiming to become the next Jamaican track and field superstar.
An Award-Winning Movie
Sprinter won Best Movie at the American Black Film Festival and Best Narrative Feature at the Pan African Film Festival. It was an official selection at the Bahamas International Film Festival and the Smithsonian Institution’s African American Film Festival.
Great Opportunities for Belizeans
Nigel Miguel, Belize’s Commissioner of Film, told LOVE FM Radio that he hopes the festival gives Belizeans the chance to learn about other cultures.
Miguel said film festivals are an excellent way to bring production and job opportunities to Belize. He explained that even a small film festival can create great opportunities.
“I want our talented young filmmakers to know that they don’t have to leave their country to have the opportunities they deserve,” he said.
Also, don’t miss out on the first-ever Belizean animated movie, Tecuani and the Duende, premiering on October 25th, 2019!
Written by Larry Waight
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