It was at a caribBEING event here in NYC last fall, where I was introduced to Mauritanian filmmaker Med Hondo’s 1979 colorful musical epic film West Indies (read my reactions HERE) – a film that I urged a re-release for. 

The brainchild of Caribbean-American (Trinidadian) Shelley Vidia Worrell, it was also at caribBEING that Ring di Alarm!, the feature film by the The New Caribbean Cinema Series initiative made its USA premiere, also last fall.

But that’s just a tiny sample of what the organization has brought to its community, covering just a month or two. And there could be even more, if you support their new campaign, which will ensure that they can continue their ongoing commitment to Caribbean film and the community as well.

Details from the press release I received yesterday, which tell you all you need to know…

For the first time, caribBEING will be hosting a crowdfunding campaign with leading platform Seed & Spark.  Beginning April 10, 2013, the campaign will run for 60 days ending June 10, 2013. To continue forward as an organization dedicated to Caribbean film, art and culture in New York and around the world, caribBEING aims to raise $40,000. Exclusive to Seed & Spark, caribBEING will also be able to include a wish list for the festival including much-needed equipment such as cameras, cinema rentals and outdoor projection gear. All proceeds following the campaign will be used to make caribBEING’s 4th Annual Flatbush Film Festival and 2nd Annual Summer Pop-UP Series the best yet!

caribBEING’s mission is to build community through the lens of Caribbean cinema, art and culture.  Our programming and events are a reflection of the diversity and creativity of the Caribbean diasporas around the New York Metropolitan area.  With the help of Seed & Spark, caribBEING strives to remain committed to its mission by building a community of supporters.

The underrepresentation of Caribbean film in New York, prompts caribBEING’s Flatbush Film Festival  to support the growth of Caribbean cinema by creating a platform and audience for deserving Caribbean filmmakers.  Filmmaker and actor Rupert Cummings Jr. expresses “being that NYC is the melting pot where everybody comes and meet up, this should be the grounds where caribBEING brings everybody together to work on major projects so we can start the Caribbean Hollywood.  We need that platform so Caribbean talent can shine. We can bring Caribbean cinema and all its elements to the mainstream and to the forefront. We should all gravitate towards each other and make big things happen.”

caribBEING has gained the support of Seed & Spark CEO Emily Best who says “I recently read in the New York Times that New York is one of the largest Caribbean cities, and yet movies about New Yorkers so rarely have Caribbean-American protagonists or themes.  Seed & Spark is designed to connect storytellers directly to audience who will support them, and we’re thrilled to support Shelley’s incredible work with caribBEING.”

caribBEING is dedicated to ensuring the growth of Caribbean cinema.  Supporting our campaign, will continue our ongoing commitment to caribBEING’s mission  to Caribbean film and the community.

To find out more about how caribBEING got its start check out this post on Seed&Spark : http://www.seedandspark.com/content/how-start-film-festival

And to stay posted on our campaign for weekly uploaded videos starring caribBEING founder Shelley Worrell, artist and filmmakers visit: http://www.seedandspark.com/studio/caribbeings-flatbush-film-festival-4th-edition