Final Declaration of filmmakers

In the identity of the Caribbean and their diasporas is a deep, transcendent and vital cultural footprint of the peoples of the African continent. Film, as a mosaic of all the arts, is the meeting point par excellence between the cultural values and aesthetic referents of the Caribbean and Africa. Given that Africa is developing one of the most significant film movements of our day, while in the Caribbean comes renewed vigour to carry out works of the filmmakers with the aim of promoting the development of regional cinematography. Considering the importance of achieving greater visibility of African, Caribbean and Brazilian cinema in the diasporas in our respective regions and other areas of the world, the Office of the Traveling Caribbean Film Showcase celebrated the first Encounter of Filmmakers from Africa, the Caribbean and their diasporas in Havana from the 12 to the 16 September 2011.

The participants of the first Encounter of Filmmakers from Africa, the Caribbean and their diasporas, spanning nine African countries and 18 countries in Latin America, North America and the Caribbean considering:

1. That African cinema, from its founding years and currently, contributes to the formation of the national culture of their countries and has made a fundamental contribution to cultural independence, at the same time it has had central importance in building a common pan-African identity among the peoples of the continent and the world;

2. That the cinema of the Caribbean is an important means for the affirmation and defense of national cultures and identities of the countries of the region

Declare and agree that:

1. The work of the Traveling Caribbean Film Showcase in its organisation has allowed a rich exchange between the filmmakers of our regions. At the same time acknowledges the support the showcase has received from the Regional Office for Culture of UNESCO for Latin America and the Caribbean and the UNICEF representative in Cuba, and urges those institutions to maintain this support to ensure its sustainability and development.

2. We need greater participation of Brazil and its filmmakers in these meetings and their actions, taking into account the importance of African heritage in Brazilian identity. We recognise the contribution of Meeting of the Black Cinema of Africa, Brazil and the Caribbean, organised annually by the Afro-Carioca Film Centre , in an effort to make visible the work of these film industries, while valuing its experience as inspiration for the Meeting of Filmmakers of Africa, the Caribbean and their diasporas.

3. Given the importance of their contribution to cultural development in both regions and their contribution to the exchange between filmmakers, the Meeting of Filmmakers of Africa, the Caribbean and their diasporas must become a permanent space for reflection and construction of strategies for collaboration among regions.

4. The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE) on behalf of the Dominican people and the President of the Republic, in coordination with the Office of the Traveling Caribbean Film Showcase is committed to making the second meeting of filmmakers from Africa, the Caribbean and their diasporas in 2012 in the Dominican Republic. The same will be accompanied by a cycle of films from Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and their diasporas, which will be carried throughout the whole country.

5. Telesur is committed to support from the information point of view to promote this second meeting to be held in the Dominican Republic.

6. To ensure the consolidation of cinematography from Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and their diasporas, we urge governments to guarantee their support through the articulation of cultural policies that promote and support production, distribution and exhibition.

7. The mechanisms of co-production between the countries of our region are a tool to enhance the development of film in our countries.

8. It is necessary to disseminate the information to permit the filmmakers of our countries access to the various forms of financing for the development of their cinematography and address financing funds available from international organisations like UNESCO, ACP and others, such as support programs for the development and promotion of the film industries of our region as IBERMEDIA.

9. It is essential to build forms of inter-regional collaboration for development and training of filmmakers from Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean and their diasporas.

10. It is essential to create effective alternatives for the exhibition of film of our regions in the different countries of the same. It proposes the creation of an alternative similar to the Traveling Caribbean Film Showcase on the African continent.

11. It is also necessary to ensure the display of African cinema in the Caribbean and Brazil, and Brazilian and Caribbean cinema in the countries of the African continent. It is recommended to utilise the space for film festivals that exist in both regions.

12. With the aim of favouring the formation of audiences receptive to the aesthetics and narratives of our film, it is necessary to promote the inclusion of educational mechanisms and alternative film exhibition that transcend traditional circuits. In this sense, commitment is needed from critics, experts, media and other opinion formers.

Telesur, utilising its reporting structure, agrees to cooperate in the promotion of film in the Caribbean Brazili, Africa and their Diasporas.

13. It is necessary to develop mechanisms for breaking down language barriers that sometimes hinder the free flow of films between the countries of our region. In this sense, we can benefit from the infrastructure created by the Office of the Traveling Caribbean Film Showcase in the field of subtitling. At the same time doubling capacity must be developed.

14. It is necessary to defend the right of children and young people to have access to a film that validates their culture. At the same time, the meeting recognises the need to create mechanisms to make use of audio-visual for creative expression.

15. Affirms the relevance of the project ‘Cameras of Diversity’ developed by UNESCO and suggests the implementation of the same in all countries in Africa and its strengthening in Brazil and the Caribbean.

16. Proposes to contribute to the strengthening and significance of Paul Robeson Award with a wider participation of the Diaspora in the Pan-African Film Festival in Ouagadougou (FESPACO).

17. Proposes to organise a film festival of Africa, the Caribbean and their diasporas to be held alternately in the Caribbean and Brazil, in even years, alternating with the years during which FESPACO is held. This Festival will be organised by the Office of the Traveling Caribbean Film Showcase and the Afro-Carioca Film Centre in Brazil, in coordination with relevant institutions of the countries of the region.

18. It is proposed to manage, with support from UNICEF, the Cuban Book Institute and other editorial institutions of the region, the publication of a book of Anancy stories, the mythical spider of Ghana.

19. In the course of this meeting a call was made for the convocation of the International Meeting ‘The Sciences and Arts Against Racism’.

20. The Gathering of Filmmakers of Africa, the Caribbean and their diasporas celebrates the success of the African Film Week in Havana and 10 Cuban cities.

The Gathering of Filmmakers of Africa, the Caribbean and their diasporas would like to thank for their contribution to the success of this meeting the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Cuba; the Cuban Institute of Cinematographic Art and Industry (ICAIC); Cultural Program of the Alba Countries; Telesur; Republic Bank; UltraSmart and the Colombiafrica Foundation.

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