News Americas, BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, May 20,2025: The Caribbean is calling her children home.

In just 3 weeks, the Cross Continental Forum (CCF) 2025, hosted by CaribbeanTales Media Group, (CTMG), in partnership with the Department of Creative and Performing Arts, UWI Cave Hill,  will bring together leading film and television producers  from the UK, Canada, South Africa, the US, and across the Caribbean. They will join creatives, cultural entrepreneurs and the general public, for five powerful days in beautiful Barbados.

Under the theme “Decolonising Co-Production,” the Forum will explore innovative ways to foster collaboration through the empowering lens of the Global South.

“We’re creating a space where Global South producers from around the world can meet on our home soil to together shape new models of financing, storytelling, and ownership,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, founder of CTMG and the visionary force behind the Forum.

Canada will have the largest number of film producers at this year’s Cross Continental Forum (CCF) 2025, hosted by CaribbeanTales Media Group, (CTMG), in partnership with the Department of Creative and Performing Arts and UWI Cave Hill.

Producers will be joining from the following countries:

Canada  – (10)Jennifer HolnessFloyd KaneJennifer PodemskiAndrew Burrows-TrotmanNauzanin KnightGail MauriceVirinder SinghIfe AlabaGeorge Tamakloe

Yejide Emioladipupo

United Kingdom – (6)Ameenah Ayub AllenJonte RichardsonEmma GrazetteLauren GeeFemi Oyeniran

Victoria Thomas

The Caribbean

            Trinidad & Tobago – (3)

Sophie WalcottCamille Abrahams

Shari Petti

            Barbados – (4)

Penelope HynamAlison  Sealy SmithRyan Wilfred

Sheldon St.Clair

                The Bahamas – (3)

Tabitha RitchieKarel Pinder

Maria Govan

            The Dominican Republic – (2)

Eunice Levis

Jenna Cavelle

            Guyana – (2)

Victoria Arjoon

Mason Richar

South Africa – (2)Nhlanhla Mthethwa

SB Sithebe

A Forum For Cultural, Economic, And Creative Evolution

Now in its second year, CCF aims to become a vital platform for reshaping co-production norms and building lasting partnerships across borders.

For the Canada Media Fund, one of the Forum’s key funders, the sense of homecoming is profound. During the Forum’s online opening, CMF’s Joy Loewen remarked, “It’s long overdue. We need to build meaningful and sustainable bridges between our industries and our communities.”

The event addresses critical inequities in the global media production landscape. Agnieszka Moody, Head of International Relations at the British Film Institute, emphasized, “The old models of production and co-production disproportionately favor the Global North. The Cross Continental Forum offers a space to create a blueprint for new ones built on trust, equity, and shared legacy.”

More Than Culture This Is Economic Empowerment

South African producer Kethiwe Ngcobo reflected on the significance of this gathering, “We are here to work, to connect, and to create wealth from our stories. This is not just about culture – it’s about economics. And it starts with us, together.”

ABOUT THE CROSS CONTINENTAL FORUM

The Cross Continental Forum (CCF) 2025 is a production of CaribbeanTales Media Group in collaboration with the Department of Creative and Performing Arts (UWI Cave Hill). Support for the CCF is generously provided by numerous organizations, including the Canada Media Fund, British Film Institute, Mango Bay Group of Companies, Invest Barbados, Inter-American Development Bank, Picture NL, National Cultural Foundation of Barbados, Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc, Barbados Film and Television Association, Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago, Telefilm Canada, and many other international partners.

Guiding CCF 2025 is a Steering Group comprised of: Frances-Anne Solomon (CEO, CaribbeanTales Media Group), Andrew Millington (Head, Department of Creative and Performing Arts – UWI Cave Hill), CCH Pounder (Guyanese-born actor and activist), Dr. Keith Nurse (Founding Chair, CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution and President of COSTAATT), Zikethiwe Ngcobo (CEO, Fuzebox Entertainment, South Africa), John Reid (Former CEO of FLOW Telecommunications, Caribbean and Latin America), Agnieszka Moody (Head of International Relations, British Film Institute), Chloe Sosa Simms (CBC Senior Advisor, Acquisitions), and international events producer Diana Webley (Director of Events, CaribbeanTales Media Group).

News Americas, New York, NY, May 19, 2025: Caribbean filmmakers will take center stage at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival during the first-ever “Caribbean Day” at Pavillon Afriques on Wednesday, May 21th. This landmark event will spotlight the dynamic creativity and growing influence of the Caribbean film industry with a full day of screenings, panels, and networking opportunities.

FLASHBACK – (L-R) Producer Angela White, Director / Actor Chris Attoh, actresses Juliet Ibrahim, Chasity Saunders and Damien D Smith and Fondatrice de Pavillon Afriques founder Karine Barclais attend the “Nine” Chris Attoh’s Film Cocktail Party and Mike Sylla’s 30th Anniversary Ethnic Creations Show during the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Pavillon Afrique on May 20, 2024 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Foc Kan/WireImage)

Hosted by Pavillon Afriques, the premier space for African and diaspora cinema at Cannes, Caribbean Day is tailored to connect regional storytellers with international producers, distributors, investors, and media executives. The initiative promises to elevate the visibility of Caribbean talent and content in one of the world’s most prestigious cinematic arenas.

The event will feature the Curaçao-set drama Double Play by renowned director Ernest Dickerson, and The Tall Boy, a compelling documentary on Trinidadian Carnival icon Peter Minshall, directed by Life Garland. Attendees will also engage with leading Caribbean filmmakers, producers, and industry thought leaders through panel discussions, followed by a curated networking session and a celebratory after-party headlined by singer John G.

“Caribbean Day is a call to industry professionals looking for fresh stories, new talent, and untapped co-production opportunities,” noted Mark Walton, Ambassador for Pavillon Afriques and Associate Professor at The New School. “The Caribbean is open for collaboration and ready to take its place on the global film stage.”

The initiative also underscores the powerful role of film and television in tourism marketing. “We’re proud to support Caribbean Day at Cannes, which strengthens the bridge between tourism and the creative industries,” said Faye Gill of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

The Jamaica Tourist Board is the official sponsor of Caribbean Day, reinforcing Jamaica’s leadership in regional cultural promotion. Pavillon Afriques founder Karine Barclais emphasized that Caribbean Day is a “natural evolution” in the platform’s mission to showcase global Black cinema.

With more than 3,500 professionals from 61 countries attending Pavillon Afriques in 2024, Caribbean Day marks a significant step forward in spotlighting the Caribbean’s rich storytelling tradition and global film potential.

News Americas, New York, NY, May 14, 2025: Guyana’s Ethnic Relations Commission, (ERC), has issued a strong condemnation of Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel’s new song, “Good Like Jesus,” labeling its lyrics as “blasphemous and deeply offensive” to Christian and other religious communities. The Commission is advocating for an immediate ban on the song’s broadcast and digital distribution within Guyana.

Vybz Kartel performs during the MOBO Awards 2025 at the Utilita Arena on February 18, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)

In a statement released on Wednesday, the ERC emphasized that the song’s content is “profoundly disrespectful to Christian religious sensibilities” and undermines the values of reverence, respect, and harmony that are fundamental to Guyana’s multicultural society. Some of the lyrics of the song by Kartel states: “You pussy good, you pussy good like Jesus.”

The Commission highlighted that Jesus Christ is not only a central figure in Christianity but is also revered in Islam and respected in certain Hindu traditions. It warned that content demeaning such a universally respected figure risks offending multiple faith communities and threatens the delicate balance of inter-religious harmony in the country.

While acknowledging the right to freedom of artistic expression, the ERC stated that this freedom is not absolute and must be exercised responsibly, with due regard for the religious and cultural values of all communities. The Commission is formally calling for the song to be banned from the airwaves in Guyana and to be removed from all digital platforms accessible in the country.

Additionally, the ERC is engaging the promoter of the upcoming concert in Guyana, featuring Vybz Kartel, scheduled for May 24, to ensure that the event does not contribute to the dissemination of the offensive content. The Commission expects full cooperation in ensuring that the event upholds interfaith harmony.

In a related matter, the ERC addressed public speculation regarding the recent arrest of local artist Baby Skello by the Guyana Police Force, following the release of a song reportedly containing offensive material against the Hindu faith. The Commission clarified that Baby Skello has not been referred to law enforcement by the ERC and that the matter is currently being handled internally, with the artist summoned to appear before the Commission. Baby Skello released a song that allegedly depicted the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi in a “vulgar, sexually explicit, and blasphemous manner.” This sparked outrage and condemnation from Hindu organizations in Guyana, such as the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha and the Guyana Pandits’ Council.

The ERC also confirmed that artists Richard Singh and Vision Clarke have been summoned over their controversial song “Chiney,” which has sparked criticism for its potentially offensive content.

The Commission reiterated its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights, dignity, and faiths of all Guyanese, stating that acts of religious disrespect will not be tolerated and will be addressed with firm and constructive measures.

See the video here

News Americas, New York, NY, May 6, 2025: Caribbean-American stars lit up the red carpet with glamour and cultural pride last night at the 2025 Met Gala in New York City. This year’s theme, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” paid homage to Black dandyism and the power of fashion in shaping Black identity — and Caribbean-rooted celebrities brought that theme to life with elegance and flair.

Leading the night’s style parade was Barbados-born Rihanna, radiant and expectant with her third child. The fashion mogul turned heads in a custom Marc Jacobs ensemble — a perfectly tailored suit that highlighted her baby bump, topped with a dramatic wide-brimmed hat.

Rihanna attending the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Institute Benefit Gala 2025 in New York on Monday May 5, 2025. (Photo by Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty Images)

Trinidad-born rap queen Nicki Minaj made her eighth Met Gala appearance in a striking pinstripe suit dress by Thom Browne, detailed with a cascade of ruffled flowers down one shoulder. Minaj’s look blended power and femininity, making a bold statement in line with the evening’s theme.

Nicki Minaj leaves the New York’s luxury Mark Hotel before the 2025 Met Gala, ‘Superfine: Tailoring Black Style’ at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Monday, May 5, in New York City, United States. (Photo by Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Puerto Rican global sensation Bad Bunny channeled island elegance in a dark brown Prada suit, paired with a traditional Puerto Rican pava hat and golden tie, delivering a cultural nod wrapped in sharp tailoring.

Bad Bunny attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by TheStewartofNY/GC Images)

ASAP Rocky, whose father is Barbadian, brought Harlem swag and Caribbean pride to his co-chair role. The rapper wore a custom AWGE parka-inspired double-breasted jacket in technical wool with Marmot-style details — a tribute to Harlem street fashion and his own Caribbean roots.

ASAP Rocky attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by TheStewartofNY/GC Images)

Another co-chair, Grenadian-descended F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, walked the carpet with trademark sophistication, showing that speed and style can go hand in hand.

Lewis Hamilton at The 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Penske Media via Getty Images)

Belizean roots actor Colman Domingo turned the red carpet into his personal stage in a pleated cape with an embellished collar. Underneath, a sharp Valentino suit underscored the elegance of contemporary Black tailoring.

US actor Colman Domingo arrives for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025, in New York. The Gala raises money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute. The 2025 Met Gala is themed “Tailored for You,” aligning with the Costume Institute’s exhibition, “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style,” set to open to the public on May 10. (Photo by ANDREA RENAULT/AFP via Getty Images)

Trinidadian-American entertainer Teyana Taylor honored her Caribbean heritage in a bold fashion-forward look, affirming her place as a multi-talented creative force who embraces her island roots.

US singer-songwriter and actress Teyana Taylor arrives for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025, in New York. Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

Cardi B, who boasts both Dominican Republic and Trinidadian ancestry, wowed in a green Burberry suit reminiscent of Victorian grandeur. With a ruffled silk shirt and velvet trousers, the chart-topper brought drama and regality to her sixth Met Gala appearance.

Cardi B attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by TheStewartofNY/Getty Images)

Ayo Edebiri, whose mother hails from Barbados, stunned in a custom Ferragamo creation with coral beading — a tribute to traditional Nigerian Edo attire. Her look was a masterclass in cultural fusion and thematic excellence.

Ayo Edebiri attends the 2025 Met Gala Celebrating “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Cindy Ord/MG25/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue)

From floor-sweeping capes to tailored power suits, Caribbean-American stars didn’t just attend the Met Gala — they defined it, celebrating the richness of Black and Caribbean culture through cutting-edge fashion.