CINEMAGIC’S FIRST FILM ACADEMY IN BARBADOS BEARS FRUIT WITH PREMIERE OF CALL ME RAVEN

Partnership between National Cultural Foundation, Sandy Lane Charitable Trust and Northern Ireland charity Cinemagic brings professional filmmaking opportunities to 20 young Barbadians

A pioneering partnership between the National Cultural Foundation, The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust and Northern Ireland youth film charity Cinemagic has culminated in the premiere of Call Me Raven, a powerful short film produced in Barbados while providing professional training and screen credits to 20 young Barbadians through the island’s first Cinemagic Film Academy.

Premiering at the Daphne Joseph Hackett Theatre in Bridgetown tomorrow, Thursday, 10 September, the 16-minute film explores themes of addiction, compassion, recovery and second chances.

Developed through extensive research and inspired by several real-life experiences, including the recovery journey of Barbadian recording and mix engineer and independent filmmaker Alexander Raven, who overcame addiction and now runs his own production company, the film aims to encourage discussion around substance abuse and the possibility of positive change.

The premiere will be followed by a question-and-answer session with the filmmakers, cast and production team, before guests attend a reception at the Residence of the British High Commissioner.

Filmed in Barbados in March, Call Me Raven follows Raven from a difficult childhood into addiction and a life-threatening crisis. When hope appears lost, an unexpected encounter with Rahmat, an “angel in uniform”, offers him one final opportunity to rebuild his life and begin the journey towards recovery.

The production brought together a professional Barbadian cast and crew with 20 young trainees from the Barbados Community College’s Mass Communication programme and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment’s Digital Media Programme. Working alongside industry professionals throughout the production, all trainees received official film credits.

The film stars first-time actor Malachi Hope in the lead role of Raven alongside filmmaker Rahmat Jn-Pierre, who also makes his acting debut as Rahmat. Alexander Raven appears as himself in a cameo role at the conclusion of the film.

Malachi Hope – Raven

The project marks the first time Cinemagic has delivered one of its acclaimed film academies in the Caribbean. Founded in Belfast 37 years ago, the charity uses filmmaking to provide young people with practical skills, professional experience and pathways into the creative industries.

The initiative developed following discussions that began after Invest Barbados’ inaugural business and investment forum in Belfast, Northern Ireland last year, where film and location development were identified as priority growth sectors.

Joan Burney Keatings MBE, Chief Executive of Cinemagic, said:

“Seeing Call Me Raven premiere in Barbados is the culmination of an ambitious collaboration built on trust, local talent and a shared belief in what young people can achieve when they are given meaningful access to the industry.

Nakita Thomas – Raven’s mother

“The result is a powerful short film about recovery, compassion and the difference that one person can make at a critical moment in another person’s life. It is also a real professional credit and learning opportunity for the 20 young people who helped bring it to life.”

The project was funded entirely in Barbados through support from the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados and The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust.

Carol Roberts, Chief Executive Officer of the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados, said: “We are extremely honoured to have been invited to be a part of this project; not just because it aligns with our mandate to support local film-making but equally because it casts a creative lens on social topics that affect us all either directly or indirectly. When the arts and culture are utilized to convey powerful messages as well as harness and showcase the immense potential of our young people, they are two of the most viable and impactful examples of public global good.

Phillipa Challis, Trustee of The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust, added: “The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust is delighted to support this initiative, which provides young people in Barbados with meaningful opportunities to develop their confidence and creativity. Programmes such as this are particularly valuable as they open doors for young people, especially those from more disadvantaged communities, to explore new pathways and realise their potential. We are proud to partner with organisations such as Cinemagic and the National Cultural Foundation to support initiatives that empower and invest in our children’s futures.”

Filming took place primarily at Verdun House, a treatment centre operated by The Substance Abuse Foundation Inc. (SAF), a registered Barbados charity first established in 1996 to address the harmful effects of drug and alcohol abuse. SAF generously supported the project by making Verdun House available as the principal filming location. Additional filming took place at Bath Beach, with drone footage captured at Green Pond in St. Andrew

As well as providing filmmaking experience, the partners hope the completed film will serve as an educational resource for schools, youth groups and community organisations exploring issues surrounding substance abuse, difficult family circumstances and recovery.

Cinemagic, the National Cultural Foundation and The Sandy Lane Charitable Trust are exploring opportunities to build on the success of the academy and create further professional training opportunities for young people in Barbados and potentially elsewhere in the Caribbean. (PR)