Frances-Anne Solomon

Grateful for a packed house at the Garvey’s Ghost Canadian screening, where history, culture, and comedy came alive on the big screen.

A heartfelt thank you to Richardson, Gairey Richardson (Harry Gairey’s grandson), and Jaimey Richardson (Violet’s great-granddaughter) for being part of this meaningful evening.

Thank you to for hosting!

Thank you to everyone who came out and shared the experience with us!

✨ TORONTO — we’re gathering tonight for a special screening of Garvey’s Ghost.

It’s been beautiful sharing this series with audiences, and I’m grateful for everyone who’s been part of the journey so far.

Hosted by the wonderful

If you’d like to join us, we’ll be at 7:00PM at Dundas West Studio (837 Dundas St West). . Tickets in the description

There are a few seats still available.
Hope to see you there. 🧡

✨ Back by popular demand! ✨

“Community isn’t an event. It’s a practice. You keep showing up. You keep building. You keep believing.” – Nicholas Okwulu, Founder of PemPeople & Livesey Exchange

After an inspiring screening at Livesey Exchange in Peckham, where Okwulu reflected on Marcus Garvey’s legacy and the power of shared culture, Garvey’s Ghost returns for another showing! Don’t miss this chance to experience the film that celebrates history, humour, and the strength we create together.

🎬

When I made A Winter Tale, I wanted to capture the voices we rarely hear — Black men in grief, searching for peace and purpose.

To see this film now, travel to Rio de Janeiro as part of a showcase of women filmmakers from across Latin America is deeply moving. This film was born from the heart of the Caribbean diaspora, a story about loss, healing, and the strength of our shared humanity. Grateful to see it resonate beyond borders.

Deep appreciation to .rio and for the feature

Sometimes a story comes to you quietly.

Garvey’s Ghost began that way, just a small spark, a few lines in Denham Jolly’s autobiography In The Black: My Life!

He wrote about arriving in Toronto in 1955, just 19 years old, full of hope and a letter of introduction to a woman named Violet Williams. Violet, a cleaner by day, was a pillar of her community, taking care of new immigrants, finding them work, collecting dues, and leading the Toronto chapter of the U.N.I.A.

When I read that, I could see her. I could feel her. A woman carrying the weight of Garvey’s vision in a cold, unwelcoming city. This vision became Garvey’s Ghost. A story about resilience, laughter, and the ways our heroes keep guiding us, even long after they’re gone.

And now, you can see it come to life on the big screen! Get your tickets now, link in bio

Last Monday night at was a true celebration of daring, experimental cinema with our Arthouse showcase. These films pushed boundaries and challenged us to see the world differently, from stories of resistance in Capetillo by .apoteosico , to a search for ancestral legacy in Luci by /

But the standout for me was Nomade in No Man’s Land a stunning documentary about the legendary Felix de Rooy a trailblazing q***r Caribbean artist whose bold, unapologetic work has shaped generations. The film beautifully captures his limitless creativity and the resilience it takes to keep making art through life’s unpredictability.

I also loved connecting with Gloria Blizzard an award-winning writer and a bright light in our community. Nights like this remind me what is all about, connection, courage, and Caribbean stories at the center.

This year we mark 20 years of the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival. Twenty years of imagining our stories on film; of creating space for our filmmakers, of building connections with our community, and our audiences across the globe.

When CTFF started, there was literally no infrastructure for Caribbean films on the international stage. Now, our CaribbeanTales platform, is a physical and virtual space that not only celebrates our voices but insists on their place in the global conversation.

The last two decades have been about building; but the next twenty will be about transformation, as our incredible stories come into their own.

Thank you to our funders and partners .fmc ⁠ ⁠
⁠

Introducing Producer Talks, a brand-new interview series produced in collaboration by ALT A Review and Cross Continental Conversations.

In our first edition, visionary producer, director, and founder of CaribbeanTales Media Group, Frances-Anne Solomon, sits down with ALT A Review to discuss the creation of the Cross Continental Forum, her journey as a Caribbean storyteller, and the urgent need to decolonize film production.

From the challenges of telling Black stories on a global scale to the incredible journey behind her award-winning film HERO: The Extraordinary Life & Times of Ulric Cross, Frances-Anne shares her bold vision for connecting producers worldwide and reshaping the future of storytelling. 🎥

🔗 Read the full interview now, link in bio!
🌍 Cross Continental Conversations — Volume 1 🌍

What an unforgettable CARIFESTA! ✨

From sharing HERO with a vibrant audience in Barbados, connecting with friends new and old in a warm and familial environment, to joining an inspiring panel with phenomenal women in film, this week has been a reminder of why we tell our Caribbean stories and the power they hold to connect us all across generations and borders.

Deep gratitude to everyone who came out to the screening and for their feedback, to my fellow filmmakers and panelists for their brilliance, and congratulations to the CARIFESTA team for creating such a beautiful space of culture, creativity, and community. 💛

Until next time!

1, 2 📸: (Jazz Pitcairn), Brittany Suzanne Kelly Film Commissioner of Cayman and Producer
3, 4 📸: Vonley Smith
5 📸: .keith Keith Nurse
6 📸: Gabrielle Blackwood
7: 📸: Alison Saunders , Penny Hynam, Rosina Wiltshire
8: 📸: (.millington) Andrew Millington , Kamla Best, Yao Ramesar
Photography by Dondre Trotman