Every time I hear of a plan for a Caribbean Film Initiative it's about either writing the next Hollywood blockbuster and breaking into the market or facilitating some itinerant Prodco to come to the Caribbean and make their film here.
What utter short-sightedness.
First of all the dream of producing a Hollywood movie in the Caribbean is just that- a dream. Ain't going to happen.
Second, the idea that numbers of producers will be wanting to stage their productions in the Caribbean is just that- an idea, and one that won't get very far either. (The lack of variety of locations in the Caribbean means that after the first few films are shot here, that will be it)
What about really Caribbean productions: written in the Caribbean, produced in the Caribbean, distributed in the Caribbean, and viewed in the Caribbean.
Our stories, told our way- by us, for us.
Now that I think is the basis for a local film industry.
If the major territories of the Caribbean each produced say 5 quality films (cognizant of budgetary constraints etc) for Caribbean distribution, we will have the makings of a film industry. One that is viable enough to support the few hundred film-makers that it takes to produce the films for distribution.
With this start, we can become better, bigger and eventually establish a big enough and successful enough industry that could support even more players and by then Hollywood would be sitting up and taking notice