January 23, 2020

Greetings Friends of CaribbeanTales,

Everyone has a story to tell about their connection to this great organization and I want to share mine with you. Nine years ago, I went to the CaribbeanTales Film Festival in Barbados where I was representing Sing Your Song, which is about the lifelong activism of my father Harry Belafonte and his commitment to making the world a better place. It was during this experience that I witnessed the work that Frances-Anne Solomon and her team do to support and promote film from and about the Caribbean Diaspora.

My passion is making things happen by working with diverse artists, activists and organizations worldwide to promote cultural and civic engagement. Currently, I am the Executive Director of Sankofa.org, which was founded by my father to enlist artists, performers and prominent individuals to deliver messages of moral and political consequences. I am also on the Board of two amazing organizations: 2 nd Call, a community-based organization designed to save lives, by reducing violence and assisting personal development of high-risk individuals and the internationally acclaimed Actors Gang Theatre founded by Tim Robbins.

You see, I can relate to the grassroots mission of CaribbeanTales and the constant effort required to find the funds for culture and the arts.

It is why I ask you to join me in supporting the CaribbeanTales donation drive to raise $100K to continue this important and necessary work. We can do this together. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation and a complimentary CTFF pass for the 2020 season with a minimum donation of $500. 

December 02, 2019

My name is John Reid and I am on the Board of Directors of CaribbeanTales. The purpose of my letter is to solicit your support for this incredible organization.

I am originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, and similar to most “island-folks,” I am proud of my heritage and our contribution to the broader cultural landscape. I also lived in the Caribbean for several years and was fortunate to discover the unique and varied cultures that span all those beautiful islands.

It was during my time at Cable and Wireless Communications, that I became familiar with CaribbeanTales’ great work promoting all these diverse island cultures through the arts and film. I have always believed that companies that benefit economically from the Caribbean, should also contribute funding towards the Region’s sustainability and long-term development.

Cable & Wireless, through its service brand Flow, funded several CaribbeanTales initiatives, including the Annual Film Festival and the unique Incubator Program. I got to see, firsthand, CaribbeanTales’ impact promoting Caribbean culture around the world.

When, upon my retirement, the opportunity came to join the CaribbeanTales Board, I jumped at the chance to stay connected with an organization that I believe works so hard to develop the amazing talent born in this wonderful part of the world.

Today, I am writing to you personally. I want to encourage you to support The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival with a financial donation. We have a goal of raising $100,000 and I am confident that we can achieve this target. If you are a Canadian taxpayer, you will receive a tax receipt for your donation; and each of you who donates a minimum of $500, will also receive a complimentary CTFF pass for the 2020 season.

December 02, 2019

Bonjour Mes Amis! Hello my Friends of CaribbeanTales!

This is Jimmy Jean Louis, and one of the things I love about Toronto is the CaribbeanTales Film Festival (CTFF). It speaks to all that Toronto represents — as a city that celebrates all cultures and as one of the world’s top centres for film development and festivals.

Both as an actor and a producer, my work has been a part of this remarkable festival for a number of years. I took part in the CaribbeanTales Incubator Program, now in its tenth year.  And I certainly benefited from the mentorship, networking and friendly collaboration with other producers from the Caribbean Diaspora.

I was unbelievably proud to have my film Rattlesnakes debut at the opening of this year’s CTFF to a sold-out audience! Who could have imagined that a little boy from the slums of  Pétion-Ville in Haiti would have this opportunity? I thank you all once again for your love and support.

And this is why we need to support platforms like CaribbeanTales – that give us a voice for our storytelling and are always there to nurture our talent.

Please join me in helping with the CaribbeanTales donation drive to raise $100,000 in order to continue this important and necessary work. We can do this together. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation and a complimentary CTFF pass for the 2020 season, with a minimum donation of $500.

November 10, 2019

Good afternoon CaribbeanTales Supporters!

CCH Pounder here – many of you know me from my most recent role as Dr. Loretta Wade on NCIS: New Orleans. However, I have a long history of acting in plays and films, as well as in television movies and miniseries. My heart belongs to the Arts and to those creative processes that bring the world together through emotions and storytelling.

Recently, I was in Toronto for the 14th Annual CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) and I was a judge at the CTFF Incubator Program’s Big Pitch Breakfast that was held during the Toronto International Film Festival. What a wonderful experience! Eighteen aspiring producers from all over the Caribbean and African Diaspora pitched their stories for a chance to win $10,000.  It was tough to pick a winner.  There is so much talent in the Caribbean community that needs to be nurtured and supported.

The CTFF Incubator Program is now in its tenth year. It is a necessary and vital part of the CaribbeanTales Film Festival, because it fuels new and potential producers and offers them a platform to tell their stories.

This is why I joined the CaribbeanTales Donation Drive to raise $100,000.00 to continue this important and necessary work. We can do this together. You will receive a tax receipt for your donation and a complimentary CTFF pass for the 2020 season with a minimum donation of $500.

October 27, 2019

Dear Friends,

For those who don’t know me, my name is Denham Jolly, and I am an entrepreneur, a community leader, activist and a proud Board Member of CaribbeanTales. When Frances-Anne Solomon invited me to join the Board of Directors eight years ago, I saw it as an opportunity to support an innovative, vital and much needed cultural platform in our city.

Throughout my life it has been important to me to support initiatives that give Black and Caribbean people a wider frame to see ourselves, share our perspectives, monetize our talents and participate as full citizens in Canadian culture and life.

Which is why I am writing to you personally, to encourage you to support the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival with a financial donation.

I know how difficult it is to start and sustain a community venture. I came to Canada from Jamaica to make a difference. In 1982, I published and ran Contrast, Canada’s first Black newspaper. And in 1991, I fought for twelve years and won the right to build Flow – Canada’s first Black radio station. In doing so, I created opportunities for many people to work, express themselves, and have dignity as Canadians.

Next year will be fifteen years for the CaribbeanTales Film Festival. Like you, I have admired the perseverance and professionalism of its annual presentations and felt a huge sense of pride and community seeing my culture reflected on the big screen. It has become such an important platform for Caribbean stories, producers, actors, audiences and all those working behind the scenes.

October 20, 2019

Hello My Friend,

When I started CaribbeanTales, I dreamed of a proud space on the world stage for the voices and stories of all my Caribbean people.

As a child, the faces I saw around me, in my classroom and in the streets, were very diverse. They were of African, Indian, Chinese, Lebanese, Arab, Mixed Race and European heritages. Much like Canada is today!

It was post-independence Trinidad: the greatest privilege I enjoyed growing up was to have role models and leaders who looked like me. I knew that we had overcome many adversities to reach this proud place. This was emblazoned on my mind from an early age: that we are a strong, joyful, prolific and powerful people who can do anything – including lead countries, and change the world. And make movies.

The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival will be 15 years old in 2020! As Executive Director and Founder, I want to thank you personally for your amazing support over the years, for me and for our visionary mandate. I have dedicated my life to CaribbeanTales. If you have heard me speak at the launch of every annual Festival, you will know that I am passionate about what I do, and that I am accountable to my community, every step of the way. Your support tells me that you feel the same too.

This is why I am asking for your help.

Some highlights of our CTFF 2019 included:

• Idris Elba’s directorial debut film, Yardie, made its Canadian Premiere
• CCH Pounder of NCIS New Orleans was our Special Judge at the CTFF/TIFF Big Pitch Breakfast
• Haitian Star Jimmy Jean Louis’ film Rattlesnakes was the Sold-Out Opening Night Premiere event
• The US Virgin Islands Film Commission became our CTFF partner

Can I count on you to support the vision we share with a financial donation to the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival? Your donation will directly support the artists and filmmakers of Caribbean heritage in Canada and around the world who showcase their stories every year, here in Toronto. Help us to make CTFF2020 our best festival yet. We want lots of people like you to continue to appreciate the wealth of talent that abounds in the Caribbean and its Diaspora.

Our fundraising campaign begins now. Over the next weeks and months, CaribbeanTales will be reaching out for your help to meet our goal of $100,000. For your donation, you will receive a tax receipt — and with a minimum donation of $500 you will get a Complimentary CTFF Pass for the 2020 season.

CaribbeanTales is a registered Canadian Charity no. 87896 4618 RR0001, committed to building community here in Canada because it leads to healthy individuals, intercultural understanding, and strong communities. We are also committed to building a global community between Canadians and like-minded artists, cultural entrepreneurs, community builders and audiences throughout the Diaspora.

Can I count on your support? Donating is simple. You can do it right now. Click. Donate. Tax Receipt. Simple.

With much gratitude,

Frances-Anne Solomon
Founder & Executive Director