The festival first started running in 2020 but this is the first time it has been able to hold in-person screenings because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The in-person screenings will run until 17 July and the on-demand showings are available until 31 July.
According to the official website: “The Windrush Caribbean Film Festival (WCFF) seeks to engage and educate audiences across the UK about the contributions of the Windrush generation and their descendants to the country through film screenings, talkbacks, interviews and workshops…Against the backdrop of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, WCFF 2022 will draw a red thread connecting the British Empire of past subjugation and oppression with the Commonwealth today as a family of independent and equal nations.”
I can’t believe it is nearly February already and that 2021 seems to be 2020 part two, but what else can we do but carry on. And of course, there are still lots of stories to be discovered about pioneering and inspirational Caribbean people which I would love to share with you.
Nina is based in the US and has two restaurants in New Orleans – I contacted her via social media and she was gracious enough to answer my questions and provide some insight into how she launched and developed her career.
Nina credits her mother and grandmother for her love of food and of course she utilises her Caribbean roots in her mouth-watering dishes.
While researching Nina’s background I also found out a little bit about her sister Fiona who is a photographer and artist based in the UK (she actually graduated from my old university the London College of Printing).
Photo credit: @knowyourcaribbean
Fiona is involved in a wealth of projects which aim to highlight hidden aspects of black history and has produced various films and exhibitions focused on educating people about the history and culture of the Caribbean.
Fiona’s work is inspirational and obviously struck a chord with me as the creator of this blog which celebrates the contribution of Caribbean people to the UK.
It’s so heartening to know that there are other people who are trying to get our stories out there, taking hold of the narrative, and fearlessly showing how influential and successful Caribbean people have been wherever they go in the world.
I highly recommend you check out Fiona’s work especially her instagram page – Know Your Caribbean.
It’s an unbelievably challenging resource, full of depth and insight, for anyone who wants to know more about the development of the Caribbean and how far our people have come.
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I’d also like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to Cicely Tyson who has died at the age of 96. Cicely’s parents were originally from Nevis – a tiny island in the Caribbean – and I am sure that nation is so proud of all that she achieved.
She was a powerhouse of an actress and her determination to bring dignity, poise and grace to all her characters, blazed a trail for countless black artists who came after her.
Cicely lived her life to the max despite all the challenges she must’ve faced as a black woman in Hollywood. She obviously never let anyone put any limitations on her and we must try our best to follow her shining example. May she rest in eternal peace.
The first annual Windrush Film Festival is set to take place from 17th October to 8th November 2020 at venues across the UK.
According to the organisers this event “aims to engage and educate audiences…about the contributions of the Windrush generation and its impact on the country through screenings, talkbacks and micro-cinema challenge that will take place in cinemas, schools and community centres across the country.”
Some of the films that will be shown include –
‘Caribbean Skin, African Identity’, directed by Mandisa Pantin from Trinidad and Tobago, about the idea of African identity in the Caribbean.
‘501 Not Out’, about Brian Lara’s world-record breaking innings for Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
‘Hard Stop’ – a film focusing on the police killing of Mark Duggan in London in 2011 which sparked widespread rioting.
‘Hero: Inspired by the Extraordinary Life and Times of Mr. Ulric Cross’, which tells the story of West Indian lawyer, Ulric Cross, who joined the Pan-African independence movements sweeping the world in the 60s.
I think this festival sounds like a great initiative so I hope it is well supported by the public.
I’ve spent most of my life writing stories so I know the importance of sharing experiences and knowledge. Storytelling breaks down barriers – it shows us how far we have come, how much we can achieve, and how much we have in common.
Black Union Jack 