I just signed “Prime Minister Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller: License and approve these steps for Legalization of Marijuana”

Shared with you Hi — I just signed this petition and wanted to ask for your support. The more people who join the campaign, the more likely it is to win. Will you help by adding your name? Thanks, Barbara Makeda Prime Minister Hon. Portia Simpson-Miller: License and approve these steps for Legalization of Marijuana By Barbara Makeda Blake Hannah Kingston 6 Sign Barbara Makeda's petition WIPE THE RECORDS- Clear all non-violent cannabis related criminal convictions as a first step towards Legalization. FULL LEGALIZATION- Legalization now for medical, recreational, sacramental use, including the purchase. APPROVE and LICENSE MARIJUANA PROCESSORS- "Marijuana processor" is a person, or persons, licensed to process marijuana into useable marijuana and marijuana-infused products. It would also license the processor to package, label and sell product at wholesale to marijuana retailers.   APPROVE and LICENSE MARIJUANA PRODUCERS- "Marijuana producer" is a person, or persons, licensed to produce and sell marijuana at wholesale to marijuana processors and other marijuana producers APPROVE and LICENSE MARIJUANA RETAILERS- "Marijuana retailer" is a person, or persons, licensed to sell useable marijuana and marijuana-infused products in a retail outlet, including sales of a pound or less by street vendors. APPROVE and LICENSE HOSPITALS, PHARMACIES, and their PHYSICIANS to administer or dispense useable marijuana for the intended use in diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment, or prevention of disease in individuals or animals. APPROVE the deposit of Marijuana profits at local banks. APPROVE a NON GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY- The Agency will consist of 14 Certified Public Accountants to serve as the People's representatives, with one representative elected from each parish, by their parish.  Elected representatives are limited to serving five (5) terms, each term consisting of four (4) years. Three members shall hold senior positions, and all shall be elected by the Board itself. All License fees to be established and voted on by the Cannabis Board. CANNABIS – THE PEOPLE’S INDUSTRY CANNABIS - THE PEOPLE’S INHERITANCE KEEP THE POWER IN THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE We can generate revenue for  OUR education, OUR health care, OUR nation's infrastructure OUR national debt OUR people We can move toward additional international markets, exporting our commodity to legal recipients by our licensed marijuana producers and licensed marijuana processors, which will encourage additional investment both foreign and local.  IN THE NAME AND MEMORY OF ALL THOSE WHO LIVED AND DIED ALWAYS DEFENDING THEIR RIGHT TO THE USE OF THE SACRED HERB       Sign Barbara Makeda's petition You're receiving this message because Barbara Makeda Blake Hannah sent you an email through Change.org's petition sharing tool. Change.org has not stored your email address. If you believe you have received this message in error, respond directly to Barbara Makeda Blake Hannah at jamediapro@hotmail.com.

Call for Entries - 2013

CALL FOR ENTRIES

JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL 2013

The JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY invites entries in 6th edition of the Jamaica International REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL 2013 which will take place in Kingston from 1- August, 2013. Eligible are Feature films, Short Features, Documentaries, Animation and Music Videos with special focus on the cultures of Jamaica, the Caribbean and the African Diaspora, as well as film highlighting international themes of Peace, Sustainable Living and Cultural Diversity.

Entries may be submitted by digital download, DVD or BluRay formats. Please submit your films by the closing date of March 31, 2013.

The JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL has showcased more than 200 films made by Jamaicans, global reggae researchers and fans from the Caribbean, UK, USA, Canada, Europe, Japan, and Africa. The festival's focus on the many documentaries on the history of Jamaican music and music makers, has given the Jamaica Film Academy an archive of historical material on the genre genre that preserves on film the oral memories of a culture that that emerged from the Rastafari movement and spread to and been honored by thousands of fans around the world. The JFA Archive also preserves a unique collection of films emerging from Jamaican, Caribbean and Diaspora

The JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL would like to welcome you and your film to Jamaica.

Please copy and print Regulations & Online Submission form below:

For further questions & information please contact: reggaefilmfestival@gmail.com

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ENTRY FORM

The JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL is presented by the JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY to encourage excellence in Jamaican film making and to promote Jamaican culture and heritage through interactions with film makers of other countries and cultures. We invite:

* INTERNATIONAL FEATURES * * INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARIES * * INTERNATIONAL SHORTS

* REGGAE FEATURES * * REGGAE DOCUMENTARIES * * CINE JAMAICA - SHORTS

* CINE JAMAICA – FEATURES * * ANIMATION * * MUSIC VIDEOS

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About the Film

Title: ______________________________________________________________________________

Synopsis:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Date of Production: __/__/____

Running Time: ______mins ___

Colour ___ Black & White

Classification: __ Short Fiction ___ Documentary ___ Feature ___Animation ___ Experimental ___ Music Video

Other (please specify) ___________________

About the Director

Director:________________________________________________

Producer: _______________________________________________

Country of Origin: _________________________________________

Male ___ Female ___

Was this work originally shot on film? YES_____ NO _____

Was this film shot digitally? Yes _____ NO_____________

Aspect Ratio:___________

Please indicate whether or not the material you submit may be offensive to others or graphic in content.[   ] 

(Certain content or subject matter may make your film ineligible for entry.)

Film Details

Editor:

Screenwriter:

Director of Photography:

Sound:

Music:

Main Cast:

Festivals & Awards it has won:

Is this film a Premiere in Jamaica? _______ The Caribbean? ______ The World? _______

Film Personnel

Director: (Please attach filmography/biography/PHOTO)

Name:

Address:

Tel: _____________________ Email: _____________________________________________

BIOS OF DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, MAIN CHARACTERS: (Please attach separately)

Production Company:

Name:

Address:

Tel: ___________________________ Email: ____________________________________________________

Contact for festival submissions:

Name:

Address:

Screening Permissions (Please tick relevant boxes)

I give permission to the JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL 2013 for:

Tel:                                                     Email:

Non-commercial screening in Jamaica as part of the Reggae Film Festival: YES ___ NO ____ 

Use clips/trailers from the film as part of a Reggae Film Festival TV advertising: YES ___ NO ___

Commercial screening as part of 'The Best of the Reggae Film Festival: YES ___  NO ___

Commercial screening Limited to ___ No of Screenings (please specify if within limited territory)
I grant the Reggae Film Festival unlimited No. of screenings: YES ___ NO ___

Permission to include the film in the JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY Research Archive: YES ___NO ___

Permission to sell DVD copies of the film online at JAMAICA FILM ACADEMY website

(i) with profits shared 70-30 between film producer & Jamaican Film Academy: YES ___NO ___

(ii)with $US_____ per sale back to the film owner: YES ___NO ___

Agree to contracted PPV screening of film on Reggae Film Festival TV/cable station: YES ___NO ___

Include film in JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL International Tour: YES ___NO ___

The Jamaican Reggae Film Festival is run entirely by volunteers and each year has to raise enough money to cover the running costs of the event. This is why we find it of great importance for film makers to have the options to be able to help us back if they wish, by allowing us to screen their film entry at some of our small film screening between festivals.These "Best Of The Reggae Film Festival" events, which we run both in Jamaica and Europe, help raise funds to keep the Reggae Film Festival going. There is no obligation for any film maker to provide the RFF with permission for screening outside of the main festival, but we'd like to thank all those who are able to help us in this way, as this forms a big part of our fund raising for the next RFF.

TERMS & CONDITIONS OF ENTRY:

 1. All entries are subject to approval before inclusion in the JIRFF programme.

2. Your production will not be accepted unless you agree to abide by the terms and conditions of the JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL.

3. By submitting a film to the JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL, you agree to allow highlights or excerpts of your film (e.g. a trailer - 60secs max.) to be placed on the JIRFF website and used for other marketing and promotional purposes. You also agree to allow RFF to promote the JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL by using your film, in whole or part, in promotional "Best of" screenings.

4. RFF will never solicit or screen your film outside the promotion of the JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL.

5. You may submit as many entries as you like.

6. International films must be either be in English or have English sub-titles.

7. Submitted DVDs will not be returned unless explicitly requested with a pre-paid mailer. RFF is not responsible for lost or damaged DVDs.

8. Filmmaker must have obtained all clearances for exhibition and must certify that the work is original and no disputes regarding ownership exist on the film. Finalists will be notified by April, 2012 if their film has been accepted and will be considered with the other finalists for the Awards of recognition.

9. There will also be a "People's Choice Award," voted on by the audience during the festival.

10. By entering the JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL, entrants release, and hold the promoters, hosts, sponsors and other contest entities harmless from and against any and all losses, damages, rights, claims and action of any kind arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the festival. The Jamaica Film Academy accepts no liability for violations of copyright or other permissions not obtained by producers of films entered and screened in the JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL

11. The Festival is not responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark or royalty infringements related to the work. The applicants are responsible for their own insurance and are not covered by the festival's insurance.

12. An Entry Fee of US$30.00 is payable to cover expenses related to administration, presentation and publicity of film entries. Payment should be made by

* International Money Order or cheques payable to Jamaica Media Productions Ltd.

* Wire service transfer

* Paypal to: entries@reggaefilmfestival.com

CLOSING DATE FOR SUBMISSIONS – March 15, 2013

CONFIRMATION

I have read and understood these conditions:

Print Name__________________________________________

Signature____________________________________________

Date of submission:___________________________________

The JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL is produced for the Jamaica Film Academy by Jamaica Media Productions Ltd. and Reggae Films UK, conceptualizers and co-ordinators of the Reggae Film Festival.

Please return completed form with a DVD Screener copy to:

JAMAICA INTERNATIONAL REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL

JAMAICA MEDIA PRODUCTIONS

P.O. BOX 727, KINGSTON 6, JAMAICA

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY:

Date Received:

Date Viewed:

Entry Confirmed:

Screening Time:

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED IN 2012 - Jamaican Reggae Film Festival News

WHAT’S IN STORE – REGGAE FILM FESTIVAL 2012 

Guests of the 2012 Reggae Film Festival can expect the the event to surpass previous presentations, with the world premiere of a Hollywood movie, the presence of a well-known African-American producer/director/actor and the award of Fifty Thousand Dollars and a trip to the Trinidad &Tobago Film Festival for the winner of the RBC Make A Film In 24 Hours competition, among the highlights.

The film festival, which takes place April 17-21, will be held at Red Bones Blue Cafe in New Kingston with 3 days of film screenings, seminars and awards. Films from Jamaica, Britain, Canada and the USA will join films from Iran, Serbia and Ethiopia

African-American actor Giancarlo Esposito, star of several Spike Lee films and recently lauded for his role as ‘Gus’ in the acclaimed ABC-TV series ‘Breaking Bad‘, will bring the feature film “Gospel Hill’ starring Samuel L. Jackson, Angela Bassett, Danny Glover and himself which he produced and directed for his Quiet Hands film production company.

A first for the Reggae Film Festival, will be the world premiere of a Hollywood ‘horror’ movie starring Ryan O’Neal and Tom Sizemore that features a reggae soundtrack. Director Rebekah Chaney and Jamaican filmmaker/musician Wayne Jobson who composed reggae music for the soundtrack, will be among several members of the production team who will accompany the film to Jamaica for the premiere.

Cameron Bailey, deputy director of the Toronto International Film Festival, will act as chief judge of the RBC Make A Film In 24 Hours competition, which this year will present the winner with $50,000 and a trip to the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival , with prizes of $30,000 and $20,000 for second and third place winners. Competition is expected to be keen, as amateur and professional Jamaican film makers participate in the film festival and showcase their film making skills.

Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival director Annabelle Alcazar will bring a programme of 7 award-winning Caribbean films to the Jamaican festival to be be shown in a special programme at UWI, Mona hosted by Prof. Rachelle Moseley-Wood of the Department of Humanities in English.

Jamaican feature films include “Blind Shotta‘, an urban comedy by Diavallan Fearon whose Jamaican premiere is highly anticipated, and Julian Henriques 1990′s feature“We The Ragamuffin‘ set in London’s Jamaican community, with a cameo role by reggae artist Mikey General. Several documentaries are featured including ‘Studio Drummie One and the History of RockSteady Music” and 'The Invitation‘, an unusual entry from Iran made by escaping refugees and filmed on cellphone. Another outstanding documentary is ‘With Fidel, Whatever Happens” an inside look at Cuba by noted Serbian director Goran Radovanovic who will come to Jamaica with his film.


Seminars on Scriptwriting, Acting and Production are scheduled, as well as a Children’s programme of Jamaican films starring Elise Kelly, Freddie McGregor, Judy Mowatt and Storm Saulter. A Jamaica50 Retrospective will honour filmmaker Chris Browne with screenings of his early short films, and the films ‘The Harder They Come’ and ‘Life and Debt‘

The Reggae Film Festival is presented by the Jamaica Film Academy, a member of the Universal Film Festival Organization. JFA Directors are Carl Bradshaw, Chairman; Barbara Blake-Hannah, Festival Director; Peter Gittins, Cordel Green, Rick Elgood, George Tait and Kevin Jackson.

Reggae film festival(Best Of) launched on February 18th, 2012

Tuesday, February 28, 2012 - Article from Jamaican Observer
Selections from last year's award winners were shown including Mustapha Khan's Rocksteady, starring Grammy award winner, David 'Steel Pulse' Hinds. Rocksteady won Best International Feature Film in 2011. It featured BC Cook (Cedric Sanders), the son of Jamaican immigrants, who was left to support his mother in rural New York after the death of his father. In a unique coming of age story, his avid love for car racing provides lessons of patience, success, inner-growth and self-discovery.



‘ANIMATED’ DUO: Winner of the Digicel Animation Award, Reinardo ‘Mental’ Chung (left) and his brother Peter, are seen at the February 18 launch of the Reggae Film Festival at RedBones Blues Café. The latest episode of Chung’s film Dutty Bwoy was a part of the evening’s programme. The 2012 Reggae Film Festival runs April 17-21. (Photo: Paul G Slowley)



In keeping with the dynamic developments in film technology, Reinardo 'Mental' Chung floored judges with his eight-minute 3D computer animated film Bad Influence, which won the Digicel Animation Award in 2011. Chung's newest episode from his popular series Dutty Bwoy was shown much to the delight of the audience, receiving positive reviews all around.

"This is the next entertainment step for dancehall," noted Chung. "As animation deals with all the issues surrounding this genre in an interesting and entertaining way."

Selections from the RBC Bank sponsored 'Make a Film in 24 Hours' competition, including The Spirit of Life is in the Music by former Miss Jamaica, Regina Beavers, What If by Vanessa Phillips and Stay Firm by 'Amaziyah the Great' were also a part of the night's line-up.

The 2012 festival also promises the guest screening of an international film starring well-known Academy Award-winning actors and actresses. The Best of the Reggae Film Festival 2012 is a good opportunity to see films... that make you proud to be Jamaican" remarks Barbara Blake-Hannah, Reggae Film Festival Director.

Film festival's 'best of' event piques interest

Published in Gleaner: Tuesday | February 21, 2012

Reinardo Chung's animated movie 'Bad Influence'

Garfene Grandison, Gleaner Writer

Saturday saw the launch of the Jamaica Reggae Film Festival 2012 at RedBones Blues Café in New Kingston. The event celebrated last year's award winners with the theme: The Best of the Reggae Film Festival 2011.

Carl Bradshaw, chairman of the Jamaica Film Academy, also heralded this year's event, scheduled for April 17-21.

The selections from last year's winners were screened in the Movie Garden of RedBones Blues Café. These selections included: Mustapha Khan's Rocksteady, which won last year's Best International Film award; and Steven Riley's Fire in Babylon, a brilliant documentary which snagged the Best Documentary and Outstanding Film awards at last year's show. Man Free, 2010's Best Documentary winner, directed by Kinsey Beck with comments by Perry Henzell, was also among the films shown that night.

Attendees also viewed selections from the 'Make a Film in 24 Hours' competition.

Part of the night's screenings was the latest episode from Reinardo 'Mental' Chung's popular series, Dutty Bwoy. Chung wowed judges last year with Bad Influence - an eight-minute 3D computer-animated film which took home the Digicel Animation Award.

Animation has always been a field of interest for Chung, especially 3D animation. It was this interest that prompted him to learn the art of animation and also gave him the zeal to practise and hone his craft.

His series, Dutty Bwoy, has become an online sensation. It focuses on dancehall culture and also features animated versions of dancehall celebrities. The series is about three "street youths" who always seem to find themselves in some humorous situations with different dancehall artistes.

Chung described the response from both corporate Jamaica and the wider public as simply "tremendous".

He said that the feedback has been great and he has even received scripts from fans for future episodes. Chung is grateful for the Reggae Film Festival, as he believes it is increasing the awareness about films being made in Jamaica and the filmmakers who produce them.

He believes that the Jamaican film industry has the potential to become an international phenomenon, much like our music.

Gaining a bit of viewership in January on Flow's channel 100 which led to a small following was the miniseries, Red, Amber, Green, written, directed and produced by young actor, model and dancer Christopher Byfield.

Byfield is no stranger to the set. He's been involved in the filming process since the tender age of 16.

"It has been a journey," he emphasised. He shared about making the transition from in front of the camera to behind it. Byfield entered the Reggae Film Festival's 'Make a Film in 24 hours' competition last year with a film titled What I Am ... What I Became ... What I Remain, which placed third.

Red, Amber, Green is Byfield's debut film from his company Christopher Byfield Films. He, too, believes that the Reggae Film Festival has increased awareness of films and filmmakers in Jamaica.

He believes it is a great avenue for filmmakers to premiere their work and believes it plays an integral part in the development of the Jamaican film industry.

According to a correspondence, "Saturday's show was just the beginning of the vibrant cultural line-up that the Jamaica Film Academy has planned for April's staging of the 2012 Reggae Film Festival, where there will be a guest screening of an international film starring well-known Aca-demy Award-winning actors and actresses."