News
Turks & Caicos International Film Festival: A major success
NOVEMBER 16, 2022: PROVIDENCIALES, TURKS & CAICOS— The 4th annual Turks & Caicos International Film Festival (TCIFF) was a major success as it focused on highlighting the natural talent present in these ‘Beautiful by Nature’ islands.
Under the direction of world-renowned film executive and TCIFF Director Colin Burrows, the festival saw a packed weekend of screenings, panels, and cocktails featuring celebrities, filmmakers, environmental enthusiasts, and spectators alike.
“It was another great year for TCIFF,” said Burrows “And while everyone was charmed by top Hollywood costume designer Sharen Davis and blown away by our screenings of The Woman King, perhaps the lasting benefit will be the conversations we hosted, about how to build our creative industries and preserve our natural resources. Important steps are being made in both areas and we will be talking more about those in the coming months.”
TCIFF hosted seasoned Hollywood veterans along with local talent to take part in informative panels and Q&A sessions. This year, the festival sought to shine a spotlight on local creative voices while making strides toward establishing the Turks and Caicos Islands as a media centre in the Caribbean.
Karen Whitt, Chairman of TCIFF, said that the festival has always sought to highlight the Turks and Caicos Islands, particularly from an environmental standpoint. “With three years of successful outreach and meaningful connections established in the area of conservation under our belt, we now hope to highlight the beauty of the talented people of these islands.”
“This year, we were able to do exactly that as our panels and local movie screenings showcased some of the many wonderful creative voices in the TCI.”
There were four discussion panels; “Sharing Our Stories” which put a spotlight on local filmmakers and writers; “Building Our Future” which saw a discussion between stakeholders on how to bring the film industry to the TCI; “Storytelling by Design” which showcased local fashion and costume talents and helped to illustrate the way forward for anyone with similar passions; and the “Panel on Progress” which focused on the efforts that are being made to preserve the natural beauty of this country.
“We were very strategic in creating the panels this year and took extra care in ensuring that we created a space for local voices to share their passions.” Whitt said, “Every one of our panels this year featured strong Turks and Caicos talent and voices, where passionate and meaningful conversations were shared with attendees.”
This year’s TCIFF event highlights included an Arbikie-sponsored mixology exhibition on Thursday night as a
welcome for VIPs and sponsors; a launch cocktail and screening at Beaches Resort; Saturday panels featuring local and international talent, and a two-night screening of blockbuster hits Queen of Glory and The Woman King.
Other major highlights of the festival were the highly anticipated Youth Expo at the Edward Gartland Youth Centre, which saw the participation of over 80 students from across the islands and featured Award-winning Costume Designer, Sharen Davis; social media influencer Arman Adamjan, Los Angeles based producers Krystle Hartsfield and Charley McLeod, Shark4Kids, and several film industry leaders and international influencers.
“As Chairman of this year’s festival, it is with great pride that we applaud the Turks and Caicos Government, particularly the Ministry of Tourism, whose support was paramount to our success,” she said.
“We extend a sincere thank you to the numerous volunteers who worked tirelessly to create a world-class event and all of our generous sponsors, patrons and donors whose support allowed us to put together such an amazing festival.”
“And a special thank you to Turks & Caicos TV and our TCIFF coordinators Cardinal Points TCI,” she concluded.
The Turks and Caicos International Film Festival is set to return in the Fall of 2023 where patrons can expect another year of Hollywood glam blended with passion and purpose.
For more information on the festival, visit www.tciff.org or email coordinator@TCIFF.org
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – May 14th, 2024 – The Turks and Caicos Islands Government and Molo Hotel Group reached a pivotal juncture on Monday, May 13th, 2024, with the ceremonial signing of a development agreement at the Premier’s Office on Providenciales. The agreement, which received official Cabinet approval on March 13th, 2024, signifies a steadfast commitment to advancing the economic landscape of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Molo Hotel Group is a family-owned business, renowned for its distinguished portfolio of high-quality hotels worldwide. The
development initiative encompasses the construction of three distinct IHG branded hotels: InterContinental Turks and Caicos, Kimpton Turks and Caicos and Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos. Scheduled for completion by 2027, each resort boasts a distinctive design from luxury to laidback sophistication spanning across the shores of Grace Bay Beach.
Kimpton Turks and Caicos – an epitome of luxury lifestyle living, will feature 192 guest rooms including three outdoor pools, a luxury spa and a fitness center. Additionally, seven dining options ranging from a beachfront restaurant to a rooftop bar.
Adjacent to the Kimpton, InterContinental Turks and Caicos will offer 59 classic luxury suites with panoramic ocean views. Mirroring its counterpart, this resort will offer an array of dining options and upscale facilities.
Steps away from the Intercontinental and Kimpton resorts, Hotel Indigo Turks and Caicos will embrace a sense of community and contemporary elegance, offering 56 bedrooms. The resort will feature an onsite restaurant, lobby bar, outdoor pool, and fitness room.
Beyond the realm of hospitality, this development agreement underscores the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and enhancing employment opportunities in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Molo is partnering with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College (TCICC) to actively promote hospitality as a career choice and support in developing training programs, career fairs, seminars, workshops, and events to raise awareness about hospitality careers. Molo has committed to provide employment and apprentice opportunities to TCICC students and provide mentoring and practical on property training to students.
The signing event was graced by Hon. Charles Washington Missick, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Hon. Jamell Robinson, Deputy Premier, Hon. Kyle Knowles, Minister of Public Safety and Utilities, Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Łukasz and Marcin Slominski, Owners of Molo, Ross Morrow, Managing Director Molo, Arik Kono, Vice President Upscale Development for IHG, Dr. Candice Williams, President and CEO of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Angela Musgrove, InvestTCI CEO, Dr. Barbara Ambrister, Chairperson of the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Dr. Delores Stapleton- Harris, Vice President of Academic, Vocational and Student Affairs for the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College, Mr. Kevin Baxter, Dean of Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) and Sheryl McLaughlin, InvestTCI Investment Services Executive.
Commenting on the development agreement, Premier, Hon. Misick, stated “The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing of
IHG/Molo Hotels is a significant step towards a sustainable future for hospitality in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Three hotels, Kimpton, Intercontinental, and Hotel Indigo, will be introduced, enhancing our tourism product and creating employment opportunities.”
He further added, “Partnerships with the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College and Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission are underway, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to developing human capital and elevating tourism offerings. This project will bring economic growth, embrace local talent, and enrich our economy.”
Additionally, Mrs. Angela Musgrove, CEO of Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, emphasized “This collaboration confirms our commitment to fostering economic growth and prosperity within our country. We have worked closely with Molo Hotel Group, and we are confident that this transformative project will further position the Turks and Caicos Islands as a premier destination for travel and investment. Much to our delight, it will also provide opportunities for engagement with our Community College and small business community.”
The Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, operating through its primary Investment Promotion
Agency, Invest Turks and Caicos Islands, remains committed to attracting and facilitating Foreign Direct Investments to the country by providing a comprehensive suite of services. Through strategic initiatives and targeted promotion, the agency catalyzes sustainable development, driving innovation and small business opportunities across various sectors of the economy.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – Detectives of the Serious Crime Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have
charged a man who allegedly stole a vehicle.
The accused, DANVANTE BRISCO, 30, of Kew Town, Providenciales, was charged with:
- One Count: Robbery
- One Count: Taking Motor Vehicle Without Authority
- One Count: Using Offensive Weapon to cause fear
Mr. BRISCO appeared in court today (May 13 ) and was granted bail of $7500.00 with one surety.
The matter was adjourned to July 05 for a Sufficiency Hearing.
#TurksandCaicos, May 13, 2024 – A 20-year-old Dock Yard male appeared in court today (May 13th) charged with a series of firearm-related offences.
The accused, JAMES SIMON, was denied bail and remanded into custody pending a Sufficiency Hearing scheduled for July 05th, 2024.
Mr. SIMON faces the following charges:
- One Count: Robbery;
- One Count: Gang Membership
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm for the Benefit of a Gang
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition for the Benefit of a Gang.
The charges against Mr. Simon followed investigations by officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force into a robbery at the parking lot of a Casino where three males robbed a victim.
Additionally, Mr. Simon is charged with the following offences, having been arrested on May 02nd, 2024, along South Dock Road.
- One Count: Possession of a Firearm
- One Count: Possession of Ammunition
- One Count: Unlawful Entry
Officers also charged a teenage minor who was in the company of Mr. Simon on May 02nd with One Count of UNLAWFUL ENTRY.
The accused, seventeen and from Kew Town, Providenciales, pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 20th.
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