CFAC Offers Syracuse Caribbean Tour

Written November 5, 2008

The Community Folk Art Center hosted its 5th annual Caribbean Cinematic Film Festival that highlighted islands films and their directors.

CFAC "is committed to the promotion and development of artists of the African Diaspora," according to its Web site.

Quiana Williams, director of education at CFAC, organized the festival, was directed by Andrew Millington. Set in Barbados, the film followed a boy sent to spend the summer in the country with his grandparents.  His grandfather owned a construction company that many islanders despised because of the negative effects commercialization would have on the island.

Although the film ended prematurely due to technical glitches, Williams encouraged viewers to participate in a talk back with the director. The topic of gentrification took center stage.

"It seemed to be a very rich discussion," Williams said.  "One that a lot of people and communities need and engage in."  Especially when you are talking about communities of color that have been displaced , and in this film is the focus of that."

Other films featured during the festival were "Zora's Dream" by Millington, "Sistagood" directed by Yao Ramesar, "! Yo Soy Boriqua, Pa'Que Tu Lo Sepas!" (I'm Boriqua Just So You Know) and several Caribe animated short films.

"It, [the festival], runs the whole gamut of ethnic groups who are not featured in the mainstream media," Williams said, "so that's our focus when we do this."