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Turks and Caicos Celebrates Regional Film Festival Debut with “Ripple Effect” Screening at Caribbean Film Festival in Trinidad

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Wednesday, 18 June 2025: The Turks and Caicos Sports Commission is proud to announce its participation in the 2025 Caribbean Film Festival held in Trinidad and Tobago from 11 – 15 June. Representing the Turks and Caicos Islands was a delegation led by Sports Commission CEO Jarrett Forbes, alongside Media and Communications Specialist and Executive Producer Nandina Hislop, and Project I.D.E.A. Media Club member Malachi Jarrett, who also served as the student director of the film.

The team attended the festival’s opening night in Port of Spain, supporting Ripple Effect, a short film developed through the Commission’s youth-focused initiative, Project I.D.E.A. The film earned its place as an official selection from a highly competitive field of over 1,000 entries, and was screened on Saturday, 14 June, at CinemaOne, alongside productions from countries such as Haiti, Jamaica, and Canada.

This milestone marks a historic first for the Turks and Caicos Islands, as Ripple Effect becomes the country’s debut entry in a regional film festival, in 4DX. Created by youth under the guidance of the Sports Commission and One Island Media, the film has surpassed expectations and affirmed the value of investing in creative, sport-based storytelling.

“Project I.D.E.A. Media Club is a powerful extension of our mandate to foster youth development through sport and innovation,” said Director of Sports Jarrett Forbes. “By combining sport, storytelling, and media, we are creating new opportunities for cultural expression, economic diversification, and national branding. A film like Ripple Effect not only showcases the creative talents of our youth but also positions Turks and Caicos as a destination for sport tourism and cinematic exploration.”

Sport-themed films have the unique ability to spotlight local talent, promote the country’s natural beauty and facilities, and tell stories rooted in community and identity. This directly supports Turks and Caicos’ sport development goals while offering a platform to inspire regional partnerships and attract global audiences.

Festival director Asha Lovelace shares, “The Caribbean Film Festival offers a platform that helps us to contend in the world. This festival is ours, built by us, for us to assert our presence and provide a point of reference for the region’s films”. Lovelace further adds, “For audiences it offers a rare and powerful experience of seeing ourselves reflected with honesty, complexity and care. For the wider world, it announces that the Caribbean is not a backdrop; it is a source, a source of vision and immense talent.”

The festival is open to being hosted in other Caribbean countries annually.

Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister with responsibility for Sport, added“Ripple Effect is a powerful demonstration of how sport can be a gateway, not just to physical development or competition, but to leadership, creative expression, and social impact. Born from a sports-based initiative, this film shows how programs rooted in sport can cultivate life skills, unlock talent, and open new pathways for our youth. When we invest in platforms for young people to express themselves, we’re also investing in national identity, social awareness, and emerging industries like film and media. Sport is a global force that transcends boundaries, reaching into media, health, education, justice, and economic development. Through sport, we gave birth to a project that goes beyond the playing field and speaks directly to the heart of social change. We are building confident, conscious citizens with the power to shape their future through storytelling, advocacy, and innovation.”

Looking ahead, the team plans to expound on Ripple Effect, making it into a feature-length film that will expand on its central theme—the consequences of our actions—through a bold and twisted narrative with a young athlete. Executive Producer Nandina Hislop shares, “The team is immensely proud of what we were able to accomplish. With limited resources and gifted minds, we were able to position ourselves where we could tell such a complex story, uplifting local talent and becoming recognised among the top 7% of entries in the Caribbean region. Talent exists in copious amounts within the TCI, but a powerful engine is needed to get us moving.”

The project is currently seeking funding from both private and public sector partners to take the film to the next level. For more information or to support this initiative, please contact project lead Nandina Hislop at nehislop@gov.tc.

Bahamas News

Caribbean Bottling Supports the 27th Basketball Smiles Week  

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NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to once again support Basketball Smiles for their 27th year.

Upholding its corporate pillar of community outreach, CBC proudly donated $2,000, over 75 cases of Dasani, Powerade and Sprite, reusable Powerade water bottles and numerous marketing materials.

The annual sporting summer camp offers free basketball and life skills training to Junior and High School students.

Basketball Smiles’ mission of developing leadership qualities while fostering children’s academic achievement and self-esteem aligns perfectly with CBC’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth.

Jazmin Darling, Assistant Marketing Manager for Caribbean Bottling Company shared why the company continues to support this program each year.

“At CBC, we believe investing in our youth is one of the greatest ways to strengthen our communities. We’re proud to support Basketball Smiles each year because it goes beyond the game. This program champions healthy lifestyles, positive values and brighter futures. It’s a privilege to play a role in helping these young athletes reach their full potential each year,” she shared.

Sam Nicholls, Basketball Smiles Camp President and Founder expressed.

“Caribbean Bottling Company is an incredible partner. We are truly grateful for their generous support, which will go a long way in making a positive impact on the lives of our campers,” Nicholls expressed.

CBC is always ready to lend its support toward initiatives and programs that uplift young Bahamians. The impact Basketball Smiles makes on the community is undeniable and is why CBC remains a historic sponsor.

For more information on sponsorship, events and new products, visit www.cbcbahamas.com today.

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Bahamas News

CWS Supports Transforming Spaces with Premium Products and Unique Cocktails

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CWS brand representative for Bottega and Excellsior wines posing with attendees enjoying glasses of Bottega Gold Prosecco at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas.

NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines and Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wine and spirits distributor is thrilled to once again lend its support to Transforming Spaces (TS).

CWS is a proud historical partner of the annual art week which highlights Bahamian art and art spaces. Under this year’s theme, “Chasing Light” Transforming Spaces and Caribbean Wines & Spirits created a memorable art experience.

To mark 21 years of the upliftment and exposure of culture and Bahamian art, CWS offered award winning wines St. Francis, Rebellious, Bottega and Excellsior; premium spirits, Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka, along with the newly added Coors Light Beer from its portfolio.

To kickstart the annual art week, CWS delighted attendees with a tasting of globally renowned Bottega Wines at TS’ Poetry Jam, held at ICE Bahamas. Throughout the event, Bottega brand representatives shared tasting notes, ideal pairings, and insights into the brand’s portfolio.

During the highly anticipated Saturday and Sunday tours, CWS showcased its premium products at select art galleries.

Attendees enjoyed Rebellious and St. Francis wines at The Current: Baha Mar Art Gallery and Museum, Bottega and Excellsior wines at the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, Coors Light beer at the University of The Bahamas Pro Gallery and hand-crafted Schweppes mixes featuring Cross Keys Gin, El Tequileno Tequila, Angostura Rum and Nemiroff Vodka at CAB Gallery & Studio.

Throughout the two-day tour, CWS product specialists enriched the experience by providing a deeper appreciation for their exceptional beverage portfolio.

Members of the Transforming Spaces Committee expressed their appreciation towards CWS’ support after another successful art week.

“Transforming Spaces is deeply grateful for the continued support of Caribbean Wines & Spirits over the years. Their partnership has become such an important part of the TS experience, helping us create welcoming and vibrant moments for our audiences across the tour weekend. From signature wines and cocktail bars to refreshments at gallery stops and pop-up events, their contribution brings an added sense of hospitality, celebration, and connection to the journey through Bahamian contemporary art.” — TS2026 Committee.

Caribbean Wines & Spirits is proud to partner with Transforming Spaces in supporting and elevating the voices and works of Bahamian artists and looks forward to strengthening this partnership for years to come.

To learn more about CWS’ involvement in the community, follow on social media @caribbeanwinesandspirits or visit the website at www.cwsbahamas.com today.

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Government

Government Outlines New Healthcare Vision as Interhealth Exit Accelerates Reform  

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By Magnetic Media Newsroom

 

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands — The Turks and Caicos Islands Government says the breakdown of its relationship with InterHealth Canada presents an opportunity to reshape healthcare delivery, with plans to expand local medical services, strengthen primary care and reduce dependence on overseas treatment.

During a national briefing following InterHealth Canada’s notice terminating its hospital contract, Premier Charles Washington Misick acknowledged publicly for the first time that Government and InterHealth had been negotiating an exit from the arrangement for more than a year after what he described as an “irretrievably broken down” relationship.

Despite the contractual dispute, Misick and Health Minister Kyle Knowles stressed that healthcare services will continue uninterrupted during the transition.

“Allow us to do our job,” Knowles appealed, assuring residents that Government is actively managing the transition and safeguarding patient care.

The Premier outlined what amounts to a broader healthcare transformation built around four connected levels of care: strengthened community-based primary healthcare; expanded polyclinic services; enhanced hospital-based secondary care with greater specialist capacity; and overseas tertiary treatment only for cases that cannot be managed locally.

Among the proposals are the long-discussed establishment of intensive care units, expanded use of currently unfinished hospital space, recruitment of more resident specialist physicians and stronger contract management to oversee future healthcare agreements.

Knowles said the new polyclinic model will broaden services available outside the hospitals, including dentistry, ophthalmology, laboratory services, diagnostic imaging, gynaecology and preventative screening, helping to reduce pressure on emergency departments while improving early intervention.

Misick also acknowledged that while the hospital system significantly improved healthcare access after opening in 2010, Government believes further reform is necessary to improve affordability, sustainability and the range of services available within the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The briefing marked the Government’s most comprehensive explanation to date of its plans beyond the InterHealth contract, signalling that officials now see the transition as an opportunity to redesign healthcare delivery rather than simply replace one operator with another.

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