Young female animator making strides
─ as Timehri Film Festival reels off
By Nateshia Isaacs
DPI, Guyana, Friday, June 7, 2019
Eighteen-year-old Guyanese animator, Precious Barrow made her film debut at this year’s Timehri Film Festival.
The Film Festival saw local culture at its best on display. It included the work of new young, vibrant animators and the announcement of a soon-to-be-released folk song album by local sensation, Gavin Mendonca and his band. The Guyanese-themed opening night brought an ambience like no other.
As Moray House overflowed with raw Guyanese talent and films last evening, the young filmmaker received tremendous support for her piece.
Her film is the first part of a mini-series she is creating with the help of the Guyana Animation Network and IntellectStorm, two local companies headed by young entrepreneurs with a love for design, animation and ICT related services.
Barrow was able to produce her first animated piece after being paired with the two agencies.
The upcoming series titled Mikayla’s Adventures retells Guyanese folk tales for young audiences.
The festival saw talents ranging from folk performances, ‘old time’ stories of Bill and Brer Nancy and Ol’Higue, to films depicting several themes native to the authentic Caribbean experience.
Barrow hails from St. Joseph’s High School. She also attended the Bishops’ High School to receive her 6th Form education and took animation classes at Queen’s College.
Co-founder of the festival, Romola Lucas reiterated her love and support for local filmmakers and stressed the importance of representation and identifying with the regional and local films. “A lot of these films are very therapeutic, it’s like people are seeing themselves on screen for the first time and they have a very different relationship with films that they see from Caribbean filmmakers than with Hollywood films.”
Lucas also noted that all stakeholders involved want to continue the festival and continue finding great films to bring and showcase for Guyanese to experience and enjoy. “It’s very important to have a type of festival atmosphere where people can experience the films, have an emotional connection, be able to express it all in this space before they leave.”
The Timehri Film Festival is an annual celebration which aims to celebrate and support the work of Guyanese filmmakers at home and in the diaspora and share films and stories made in other Caribbean countries with Guyanese audiences.
Images: Marceano Narine