From Caribbean News Now

KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Bob Marley Foundation has agreed to partner with Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) to provide support for the Jamaica Film Festival that will be held in 2015. The announcement was made at a press conference on Wednesday by minister of industry, investment and commerce, Anthony Hylton.

Founded in 1986, the Bob Marley Foundation has assisted many local entities to encourage cultural and social development. The Jamaica Film Festival, which aims to display Jamaican content to a wider audience and promote investment into the industry, falls in line with the Foundation’s list of projects that have received their support.

The Bob Marley Foundation/ Tuff Gong will be partnering in a workshop on the use of music in film and the marketing of film sound tracks, providing a short film for viewing at the film festival and participating in planning the event, amongst other methods of assistance. The Foundation has promised its full support to this initiative that will bring business to Jamaica’s film industry.

Hylton praised the collaboration, saying, “I believe this is an ideal partnership, JAMPRO and The Bob Marley Foundation share similar objectives and strategies in enhancing and building Cultural and Creative Industries. It shows that the ministry of industry, investment and commerce is determined to continuously develop partnerships aimed at achieving sustainable, transformational growth.”

The minister believes that this is the opportune time for developing the production of local films; globally the film industry has experienced significant growth. According to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), for the first time, a film market outside of North America had accrued a value of more than US $3 billion last year. China, the market that experienced this increased value, had a growth of 27% in 2013.

With this surge in production and market value in mind, JAMPRO’s president, Diane Edwards emphasized the agency’s focus on developing creative industries professionals and the sector to create economic growth. She also welcomed the Bob Marley Foundation’s decision to partner with the Jamaican Film Commission.

“JAMPRO believes that the fruits of the creative intellect and expression of the Jamaican people are critical components to driving economic growth, national wealth and prosperity. The hosting of the Jamaica Film Festival aligns with JAMPRO’s strategy to develop economic activity in the sector and will provide a market place for film makers to display their work and make deals,” she said.

Marie Bruce, general manager of Bob Marley Group of Companies echoed that sentiment, adding that Jamaica had a unique advantage as a popular brand and destination. Bruce used the immediate success of the recently released Jamaican film, Destiny, as an example of the demand for Jamaican content due to the power of the brand.

She said, “The reception we got was overwhelming… Jamaica was the shining star [in the film].”

Bruce said that The Bob Marley Foundation is completely on board with the Jamaica Film Festival due to the opportunities it will provide in film and music and the exposure it will provide for the Jamaican brand.

The Jamaican Film Commission recently opened submissions for scripts/treatments to be produced for the Jamaica Film Festival 2015 and intends to make more partnerships to support this event. That call ends on Tuesday, December 2, at 3pm. The Film Commission invites other private sector entities to work with JAMPRO and assist in this opportunity to market local film content to a global audience.

IMAGE: Anthony Hylton, Minister of Industry, Investment & Commerce, and Milton Samuda, Chairman of JAMPRO, (second left) look on as representatives of the Bob Marley Group of Companies, Debbie Bissoon, Brand Manager, (second right) and Marie Bruce, General Manager, (right) sign a memorandum of understanding between JAMPRO and The Bob Marley Foundation. The partnership was announced at a press conference held at The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce on November 26, 2014. The Bob Marley Foundation has agreed to provide support for the upcoming Jamaica Film Festival, which will take place in July, 2015.

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