trinidad+tobago film festival & Flow Partner for VOD Deal

Looking to bring the film festival experience into the homes (and on devices) of thousands, the trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff) has entered into an exclusive agreement with Flow, the leading cable television and telecommunications company serving the Caribbean region, whereby Flow will show selected ttff films on its popular On Demand Channel 1000.

The distribution pact, a first-of-its-kind among film festivals in the region, is a win/win for all parties involved. Flow is able to offer exclusive, buzz-worthy content to its customers, while the ttff is able to extend its brand and entice filmmakers with a guaranteed distribution platform that will allow films to be seen by an even wider audience throughout the Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago, Curaçao, Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica).

Flow offers subscribers a one-month window to see select films from the ttff once the Festival comes to an end and 100% of the profits derived from VOD purchases goes to the filmmakers.

"Flow has been a tremendous supporter of the trinidad+tobago film festival, and has demonstrated their commitment to the development of the local and regional film industry by signing on as presenting sponsor for another three years," said Nneka Luke, ttff's External Relations Director. "With this continued support, and the offer of Video on Demand as a viable platform for distribution and visibility for local films, it's a significant step forward in the growth of our film industry. These are exciting times for film in T&T and in the Caribbean region."

This year, ttff and Flow are pleased to bring audiences a selection of the great short films chosen to screen at ttff (http://www.ttfilmfestival.com/films/short/). All filmmakers are offered the opportunity to have their short films available on the platform.

Flow has been a presenting sponsor of the trinidad+tobago film festival for the past six years and is committed to developing local film and regional culture by supporting the growth of the local film industry.

With Flow On Demand, customers can make a selection from a growing library of movies, music and television shows any time they want. The title is theirs to enjoy as often as they like for 12 hours. Customers can even pause, rewind, fast-forward or stop the title and return to it later, continue from where they left off, or start from the beginning. Customers are in control; they can enjoy movies, TV series and kids' shows for as low as $0.99 plus free concerts, music videos and karaoke.

Founded in 2006, the ttff is an annual celebration of films from and about Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean and its diaspora. The Festival also screens films curated from contemporary world cinema and seeks to facilitate the growth of the Caribbean film industry by hosting workshops, panel discussions, seminars, conferences and networking opportunities.

Fifty feature-length fiction and documentary films from the Caribbean, its diaspora and world cinema are currently screening as part of the 2013 trinidad+tobago film festival, which began on September 17th and runs through October 1st.

Of the 50 features, 23 are Caribbean and diaspora films, which represent 14 countries. Five of the films are world premieres, while nine are having their Caribbean premiere, and one its international premiere.

Additionally, 15 of the Caribbean and diaspora films are in official competition, for one or more of four jury awards: Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best T&T Feature and Best Caribbean Film by an International Filmmaker.

Twenty-six of the features are world cinema selections that will screen in the Festival's Panorama section. This section comprises films from Latin and North America, as well as from Trinidad and Tobago's "heritage" regions, including countries in Africa and Europe, India, and, for the first time, China.

In addition to the feature films, the Festival will screen 56 Caribbean and diaspora shorts, as well as 36 experimental works from the Caribbean and the diaspora in its New Media section. Overall, 142 films will screen at the ttff/13.

The full lineup of films, as well as schedule of panels and events, can be viewed at ttfilmfestival.com.

The Festival is presented by Flow and given leading sponsorship by RBC Royal Bank, bpTT, The Trinidad and Tobago Film Company and the Ministry of Tourism.

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