Director Jael Joseph’s short film “Territory” focused on the indigenous ‘Kalinago’people of Dominica, wins Best Short Documentary at the 18th Annual Caribbean Tales Film Festival (CTFF) in Toronto Canada

 
“Territory,” a short film focused on the indigenous people of the Eastern Caribbean Island of Dominica- the Kalinago, wins Best Short Documentary at the 18th annual Caribbean Tales Film Festival (CTFF) and is the first submission by Director Jael Joseph to the festival, taking place in Toronto September 6-22, 2023. “Territory” tied for the title with “Negra, Yo Soy Bella,” a film by Puerto Rico’s Vashi Korin.
 
CTFF celebrates the talents of established and emerging Caribbean and African filmmakers, presenting a multi-ethnic mix of exciting and dynamic films that showcase diverse and shared cultural stories.  The 2023 submissions surrounded the theme Eco survivors bringing to focus the impact of climate change on Caribbean Small Island States (SIDS) and Canada. “To win on my first try, it’s just an incredible feeling and I dedicate this win to my late parents and the Kalinago people of Dominica, who are still navigating how to best protect and retain their culture, traditions and identity and whose trust and openness allowed me to share their stories.”

In her acceptance speech Jael thanked family friends, colleagues and mentors singling out CTFF founder, Frances-Ann Solomon from whom she drew “inspiration and influence. ”For CTFF Festival Director, Diana Webley, “Territory” was awarded Best Short Documentary as it “provided a rare peek inside the Kalinago Territory in Dominica.” While the award also signifies a personal achievement, Jael sees its wider impact as a testament to the incredible power of storytelling. This experience has solidified her mission to champion the Kalinago people; and so far, she has given support to events such as the Kalinago Spelling B competition through her brand Black Island Girl Multimedia, and has served as a vocal advocate for other initiatives within the community.

​Dominican Director Jael Joseph …Read More at www.q95da.com
 
“Territory” was funded with support from an anonymous donor as well as the proceeds of prize won from The Creative School’s 2022 Johnny Lombardi Award for Creative Endowment. The film can be viewed online till September 22nd as part of CTFF and will be screened at more film festivals worldwide.
 
In “Territory,” Jael and her film crew, spent ten days following Anette Sanford, Samoza John and Natasha Green, descendants of the island’s first people, who gave their take on the individual and communal challenges they faced as residents of the 3,700 acre Kalinago Territory- an area on the island’s northeast that was ceded to the Kalinago 120 years ago. The film delves into the political struggles they face and focuses on the loss of their language and inability to use their land for economic development. 
 
The issues of the Kalinago were further juxtaposed against their recovery from Category 5 Hurricane Maria and the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The film also featured guest appearances by Kalinago Chief Lorenzo Sanford and Minister Cozier Frederick, parliamentary representative for the area.Jael, a media entrepreneur and communications consultant, who splits her time between Dominica and Canada, is a Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University) graduate, and was inspired to create this film alongside her research paper entitled, “Territory: Commonalities between the Reclamation of the Kalinago Language and Connection to Land.” For the paper she interviewed over 25 persons and developed some of the interviews into a 10-minute podcast called “Woryijan; Kalinago women and Intersectionality.”