Great Huts Presents the 8th Annual Cinema Paradise Portie Film Festival

Port Antonio Festival Brings a Taste of Hollywood to Jamaica from November 1^st – 4^th, 2018

PORT ANTONIO, Jamaica, Oct. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - The 8^th annual Cinema Paradise, also known as the Portie Film Festival is running this November 1^st - 4^th, 2018. Presented by Great Huts Resort, it will bring together the glamour of Hollywood with Jamaica's unique 'Afro-Centric' twist. This year's festival program is a combination of new and exciting Jamaican and international films with tribute screenings and a celebratory program.

The festival will screen the critically acclaimed documentary Knights To Kings (2018), the block buster Black Panther (2018) and a selection of Jamaican and international featured shorts. The retrospective tributes kick off this year's Cinema Paradise Festival with the screening of the cult classic Countryman (1982). In addition, the festival will host the 30^th anniversary screening of Cocktail (1988) with special guest appearances, a screening of Club Paradise (1986) including an introspective discussion, and special tributes to the late Robin Williams and the late Peter O'Toole.

Thursday November 1^st from 6:30pm - 11pm
A VIP launch event will be held at Talk Of The Town, the panoramic roof top at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, the nation's capital and the Caribbean's cultural hub. There will be a screening of the late Dickie Jobson's Jamaican cult classic Countryman. This will include a panel discussion, moderated by journalist and critic Annie Paul, hosted by Cinema Paradise founder Dr. Paul S Rhodes and Jamaica's Film Commissioner Renée Robinson. The evening will include engaging discussions, musical performances and special appearances.

Friday, November 2^nd from 7pm - 11pm
The African Kanopi House Resort will host the screening of the documentary feature Knights To Kings. Hosted by director Crystal Furlonge, her crew, and a selection of film makers, the screening will include a delightful culinary offering with an Ethiopian dinner.

Saturday, November 3^rd from 12pm – 3:30pm
The Alligator Head Foundation, Jamaica's most innovative marine conservation organization, will screen Club Paradise (1986) which stars Robin Williams, Peter O'Toole, Rick Moranis, Eugene Levy, Twiggy and Jimmy Cliff. This is the Portie Film Festival's tribute to the work of the late Williams and O'Toole. The screening will include a discussion with cast and crew members.

Saturday, November 3^rd from 4:30pm - 6:30pm
The Craft Market in Port Antonio will host a free screening of this year's international block buster Black Panther (2018).

Saturday, November 3^rd from 8pm to 12am
Great Huts will premiere the JAFTA (Jamaica Film & Television Association) Propella Shorts at their Mandela Deck of Africana House in Boston Bay, Portland. Presented by Renne Robinson, Jamaica's Film Commissioner (JAMPRO), the event includes a sumptuous buffet meal from the Great Huts team and live 'Dub' entertainment. The Featured Shorts will screen some of the latest Jamaican and International short films such as Agwe by Ina Sotirova, Flight by Kia Williams and Adrian McDonald, Going Down by Mezan Ayoka, and Safe Harbour by Kaiel Eytle.

Sunday, November 4^th from 1pm – 6:30pm
The Grand Finale Sunday Matinee screening of Cocktail (1988) will be hosted in Goblin Hill Villa Resort in San San. The screening will celebrate the 30^th anniversary of the film's release with anticipated special appearances. Cocktail, starring Tom Cruise, Elisabeth Shue, Kelly Lynch and Bryan Brown was filmed in Jamaica, placing a spotlight on Portland. The film featured locations such as Dragon Bay, the Blue Lagoon, Reach Falls and Long Bay, placing them on the international tourism radar. Following the screening, a three course buffet will be provided by the Blue Mountain Eatery, EITS (Europe In The Summer), known for its delicious fusion of European and Jamaican cuisine, served in a farm to table style.

Cinema Paradise was conceived by Great Hut's owner Dr. Paul S. Rhodes in 2000. Meant to showcase 'Afro-centric' Jamaican and International films, the festival educates guests, allowing them to interact with artists and film makers. Over the years, the passions and insights of the writers, directors and producers have contributed their unique social, political and human perspectives, providing a meaningful narrative and dialogue to audiences. As the bond between the audience and film makers has grown, so too has Cinema Paradise as a festival.

The festival is now an established charity. Organizers Dr. Paul S Rhodes and Vivene Levison have ensured part of the festival's proceeds go to the Portland Homeless Shelter, the arts and the wider community.

This year the festival has partnered with its new venue partners: the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, Kanopi House, Alligator Head Foundation, Village Craft Market and Goblin Hill. The festival has also established a strategic partnership with the Government of Jamaica's Jampro Film Commission and the Jamaica Film & Television Association (JAFTA).

The venues and settings of Cinema Paradise are focused in and around Port Antonio, aka Portie. Located in the Parish of Portland on Jamaica's North Eastern Coast, Portie is considered by many to be one of the world's most stunning film locations, as is evidence by the many films that have used Portie as a location. Films such as Club Paradise, Lord of the Flies, The Mighty Quinn, Cocktail, Knight and Day and Instinct have all made Portie the location of choice for Hollywood and beyond.

The 8^th Annual Portie Film Festival runs from November 1^st – 4^th, 2018. For more information regarding the festival, the movie schedules, or to purchase tickets, please visit www.portiefilmfest.com.

SOURCE Cinema Paradise Portie Film Festival

Vivene Levison, [email protected]