Local creatives score big with Afro-Caribbean film

Filmmaker Cornelius Grant and actress Sabrina Thomas copped another major win for their short film Amara the Immortal at the recently held Films That Move festival last Sunday.

The event, which was hosted at the Palace Cineplex at the Sovereign Centre, saw scores of creatives from the Caribbean being recognised for their work in filmmaking. With a strong amalgamation of the Caribbean and African cultures being expressed through the themes of trauma and abuse, the Good Vybz Production members were proud to walk away with the Cultural Resonance Award - for a film that best celebrates Caribbean or African heritage.

Thomas told THE STAR that playing the role of Amara was an "experimental and thought-provoking" experience.

"I loved how director Cornelius Grant wove together different cultures, time periods, and histories to tell a story about generational line of trauma and how some of us ultimately find peace only by being resilient. As Amara, I got to explore multiple roles across various timelines, from ancient struggles to modern-day Jamaica," said the multifaceted Thomas.

"This award for us (Good Vybz Entertainment) is well received, and I know how much it means to Cornelius as well. It's a project he holds dearly to his heart...five years later, he reaps the reward as an award. The film's themes of identity, revenge, and forgiveness resonated deeply with me. I'm grateful for this award and thankful to Cornelius for trusting me with this powerful role," she added. Thomas also expressed gratitude to Films That Move and encouraged the company to "continue to spread the awareness about our culture and talent within Jamaica".

"It's a reminder to stay humble, keep creating and inspiration to others," she underscored.

There were five other awards presented to creatives: the 'Voice of Change Award' - for the most impactful film on mental health or social issues; the 'Heart of the Festival Award' - given to the filmmaker whose work most deeply embodies the spirit of the festival; the 'Innovative Storytelling Award', the 'Emerging Filmmaker Award' - which recognised a promising first-time filmmaker; and a new award, the 'Lens of Legacy Award', which went to executive producer Orville Mattherson for the magic he created in the production/directive work for the film Behind Closed Doors, featuring dancehall entertainer Tommy Lee Sparta.

Grant, who was receiving his first local award after 15 years as a filmmaker, said he was "grateful".

"The feeling is always gonna be great when you get some form of recognition from your homeland, it means a lot to me," he told THE STAR. "Whether or not there are film festivals, I'm always gonna make films, not just to win awards but to entertain the public, and the public is always my main priority not a film festival. But winning an award is a plus and can also encourage you to do more."

Grant explained that Amara the Immortal explored a plot in which a young woman was captured from Africa and shipped to Jamaica on a plantation where she was abused.

"She got fed up and cursed her slave owner and we saw where she was granted the power of immortality and throughout different time periods, we see the different years of struggles and discomfort she [endured] while walking the earth, until she finds some comfort in the end," he disclosed.

Grant opined that the message and historical knowledge imparted in this film are very important in teaching today's generation about the roots of local culture.

"It's very important to know our own history because without our past there can be no future, and if we forget our past, we will lose ourselves and leave our culture behind and end up following on different people's cultural path," he said.

Grant implored other local filmmakers and companies to support the Films That Move festival as it has been registered and recognised on FilmFreeway, a website that allows filmmakers to submit their films to film festivals worldwide.

"Supporting our own will create a market and space for us on the international scene, not just for the local film industry but for the culture," said Grant.