Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands – CayFilm 2017 – The Cayman Islands International Film Festival will celebrate Film, Food and Fashion. According to Festival Director, Tony Mark, the goal is to showcase the island’s talent and emerging markets.

Celebrated chef, television host, and multi award winning Chef Eric Ripert – seafood master and co-owner of Le Bernardin in New York City and Blue by Eric Ripert at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman will be headlining the festival this year.

Festival Director, Tony Mark commented, “We are delighted that world-renowned Chef Eric Ripert has agreed to headline the food in film celebration of CayFilm as this year’s festival celebrates three of the Cayman Islands’ growing industries.”

Chef Ripert will participate in the opening and closing gala events, take part in a screening and Q & A celebrating his years as a television host and will host an Exclusive Chef’s dinner with CayFilm celebrity guests on Sunday, July 2^nd at his world famous Blue Restaurant in The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman- sure to be a Festival high point. “We are honoured that Chef Eric has agreed to be such an important part of this year’s festivities and are grateful to his team for their generous support of CayFilm,” said Mark.

“Cayman has gained a reputation as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. As the Host of Cayman Cookout and the Chef and Co-Owner of Blue, Eric Ripert has played a major role in our island’s culinary success and we are thrilled that he has agreed to be a part of this year’s festival’s celebration of Food in Film” said Mark. “Foodies are very discerning in their tastes, and we think the Festival can offer them a very unique experience, an elevated take on the concept of dinner and a movie. We are very excited about this new addition to CayFilm, and we hope that it will attract a new audience.”

CayFilm 2017 takes place from June 30, to July 3, 2017 and welcomes an elite roster of film producers, directors, actors, experts and influencers each year. The exclusive, interactive weekend features demonstrations, panel discussions, special events, and unique networking opportunities — all in a beautiful, elegant and welcoming Caribbean environment. The annual gathering is set amidst the Cayman Islands’ magnificent Seven Mile Beach and is hosted in partnership with Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.

Both VIP and General Admission tickets are now on sale. Special travel discounts are available through www.cayfilm.com

Filmmakers can learn more about the submission process by visiting www.cayfilm.com. Last year’s festival featured over 200 films from more than 50 countries, and organisers are expecting even more films this year.

About CayFilm Cayman International Film Festival

CayFilm Cayman International Film Festival is an annual multi-day spectacular event designed to create new interest and excitement about the Cayman Islands as a world-class filming destination. Included in the festival will be daily film screenings, question and answer sessions with filmmakers, panel discussions, workshops, exclusive premiere screenings, and two celebrity gala events. It is our vision to open up the Cayman Islands to the film industry around the world whilst opening up the world to Cayman’s young and aspiring filmmakers.

The Festival team are also working to develop the Cayman Media Academy (CMA) under the CayFilm umbrella to educate Cayman’s youth by offering classes and qualifications relating to different career fields within the industry. This will be run throughout the year with the eventual goal of having a full-time degree programme available at our own purpose built facility. Young children will have their own specially designed programmes to inspire and give confidence about their own unique abilities as filmmakers.

About Blue by Eric Ripert

Ranked the #1 restaurant in the Caribbean, Blue by Eric Ripert is a celebration of seafood in the grand tradition of Le Bernardin, Chef Ripert’s renowned New York restaurant. Blue presents the signature restaurant experience for The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman offering bar and lounge seating as well as a sophisticated and luxurious main dining setting and two private dining rooms. Highlights include renowned tasting menus, exquisite local seafood and more than 700 fine wines from around the world. Blue carries the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant ranking in the Caribbean.