By Laura 'Simply Leah' McNeil

The 2019 CaribbeanTales Film Festival music night has been quite a night! It’s surprising how much our history can and has been expressed through music. In hindsight, that’s how my ancestors were able to communicate with each other during the time of slavery. This short film entitled Karukera Blues by Pierre Huberson reaffirmed that notion and then some.

By Laura 'Simply Leah' McNeil

​The 2019 CaribbeanTales International Film Festival’s 14th year was filled with gems. Many things to be learned through the stories that were chosen to be told through film. On music night CTFF took the opportunity to uncover a hidden gem. 

By Laura 'Simply Leah' McNeil

 Venus and Magnet was definitely an interesting presentation at the 2019 Caribbean Tales International Film Festival held at The Royal Cinema in Toronto. This short film written and directed by Elspeth Duncan of Trinidad and Tobago is a cute tale that packs a powerful message. 

By Laura'Simply Leah' McNeil

At the 2019 CaribbeanTales Film Festival we were presented with a documentary/biography by Peter Bailey called Paradise Discovered: The Unbreakable Virgin Islanders at The Royal theatre in Toronto. In this film, writer and director Peter Bailey takes us on a journey through the events, and aftermath of Hurricane Irma and Maria which devastated the Virgin Islands and the neighbouring islands.

By Laura 'Simply Leah' McNeil

If there’s anything to do with music you better believe I’m involved. This is why I was so excited for music night at the 2019 CaribbeanTales International Film Festival. Galsen - The Language of Souls, directed by Sergio AparicioOlivas, was one of the features of the night which screened at The Royal Cinemas in Toronto. Let me tell you when it was over, I was completely moved by this piece of work. 

By Laura 'Simply Leah' Mcneil

​Jamaica night was a highly anticipated night at the 2019 CaribbeanTales Film Festival. The Caribbean community was buzzing about this night, and I’m pretty sure it had much to do with the stories that were about to be shared with us. After watching the films, I had a complete understanding as to why the buzz was so big. We gathered at the Carlton Cinemas in Toronto and got right into the first film of the night, entitled Rockstone and Fire. This short film directed by Courtney Coke took us to a page in Jamaica’s history that is rarely talked about, and how it  the lives of the people residing in the parish of St. Elizabeth.