Festival to showcase region and give voice to emerging Caribbean filmmakers
KINGSTON, JAMAICA – August 2, 2021 – Furthering the reputation of Jamaica as a force in the film world, and with an eye towards developing established and emerging Caribbean filmmaking talent, the Jamaica Tourist Board has signed on as lead sponsor of the inaugural RealVibez Film Festival, taking place in Miami and broadcast virtually August 25 – 27, 2021.
The first event of its kind for the regional film industry uniting sports and entertainment, the RealVibez Film Festival will bring global attention to the many unique filming locations in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean. It will also give emerging filmmakers a platform to assist with the distribution and development of their films and create a database of visual content that will inspire producers from around the world looking for picturesque locations like Jamaica to film their next motion picture.
“Famous directors have long looked to Jamaica as a setting for some of the most popular films of all time,” said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism Donovan White. “The RealVibez Film Festival will not only showcase the heartbeat of Caribbean culture and our many beautiful filming locations to the global community, but it will also aid in the development of Jamaican talent who will carry on the destination’s rich legacy in film, music, sports, and entertainment.”
Jamaica’s history as a premier filming location dates back nearly 60 years to when the island was prominently featured in the first James Bond movie, Dr. No. In the decades since, its beautiful scenery has continued to serve as a popular backdrop in prominent productions, including the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, premiering this fall.
Jamaica’s white-sand beaches, dramatic mountainous terrain and iconic backdrops such as Dunn’s River Falls provide filmmakers with a gold mine of options to serve as the setting for their next film. RealVibez will spotlight some of Jamaica’s most picturesque locations to lure international production companies and will become the place where Caribbean filmmakers get their start, while setting the pace for others.
“RealVibez stands ready to collaborate with the Jamaica Tourist Board to facilitate the development of content to attract greater support for the destination,” said Carole Beckford, CEO RealVibez Entertainment & Festival Director. “Jamaica’s destination and the rest of the region can only be better from support of this kind. Sport and Entertainment content are of tremendous value to any destination.”
For more information on Jamaica, please go to www.visitjamaica.com.
About Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. JTB offices are also located in Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Berlin, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Tokyo and Paris.
Last year, the JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist Board by the World Travel Awards (WTA) for the thirteenth consecutive year and Jamaica was named the Caribbean’s Leading Destination for the fifteenth consecutive year as well as the Caribbean’s Best Spa Destination and the Caribbean’s Best MICE Destination. As well, Jamaica copped the WTA’s World’s Leading Wedding Destination, the World’s Leading Cruise Destination and the World’s Leading Family Destination. Additionally, Jamaica was awarded three gold 2020 Travvy Awards for Best Culinary Destination, Caribbean/Bahamas. The Pacific Area Travel Writers Association (PATWA) named Jamaica the 2020 Destination of the Year for Sustainable Tourism. In 2019, TripAdvisor® ranked Jamaica as the #1 Caribbean Destination and #14 Best Destination in the World. Jamaica is home to some of the world’s best accommodations, attractions and service providers that continue to receive prominent global recognition.
For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the JTB’s Website at www.visitjamaica.com or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800- JAMAICA (1-800-526-2422). Follow the JTB on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube. View the JTB blog at www.islandbuzzjamaica.com.
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Contact:
Chris Marino
Lou Hammond Group
864-420-1932
Chrism@louhammond.com