Two Dominican documentaries have been selected to be featured at this year’s Conch Shell International Film Festival in New York. “Dementia: The Island Journey” by Rianna Patterson, which delves into the challenges of dementia in the Caribbean, and “Territory” by media entrepreneur Jael Joseph, which examines issues within the Kalinago community, particularly their connection to the land in the absence of their indigenous language, will be showcased. “Dementia: The Island Journey” was recently screened at the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival in England last month and received an honorable mention at the awards night while “Territory” won Best Short Documentary at the Caribbean Tales International Film Festival in Canada last September.
Rianna expressed her excitement for the opportunity to share knowledge and stories on dementia with the Caribbean diaspora in the US. She noted that this is the documentary’s fourth festival selection.
Jael emphasized the significance of the Kalinago story, highlighting their resistance to colonization and their importance in the broader Caribbean context. She expressed her humility and gratitude for the exposure.
The Conch Shell International Film Festival is a competitive event that features short films by independent and student Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora filmmakers, as well as established filmmakers. The 2024 festival will be held from October 10-13 at Regal UA Midway in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. Tickets can be purchased from August 1, 2023 on the Conch Shell International Film Festival website at https://conchshelliff.com/
