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Historic First: TCI Short Film Ripple Effect Selected for Caribbean Film Festival

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FROM THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: Ripple Effect, a short film produced by the Project I.D.E.A. Media Club, has been officially selected for the Caribbean Film Festival. This marks a historic milestone as it is the first film shot and directed in the Turks and Caicos Islands by local filmmakers to be selected for a regional film festival. Commissioned by the Turks and Caicos Islands Sports Commission, the project was led by Project Lead Nandina Hislop and filmmaker Samuel Jules, owner of One Island Media.

The Caribbean Film Festival will take place from 11 -15 June 2025, at CinemaOne, Home of the IMAX, in Trinidad and Tobago. The festival, hosted by Africa Film TT, is an extension of a platform that has been supporting filmmakers for over a decade. According to organisers, the Caribbean Film Festival is a “world-class destination film festival” with a mission to “ignite and energise the region’s film and multimedia industry, fuelling a fresh wave of film production and creative content throughout the Caribbean.”

Ripple Effect will be screened alongside films from countries including Panama, Guyana, and Jamaica. The selection was made by a team of seasoned critics, guided by an Advisory Board that includes Scott Sardinha, Cultural Attaché for Westbrook Pictures and the Will Smith Circle. Ripple Effect was directed by film student Malachi Jarrett and Samuel Jules, with executive production by Samuel Jules and Nandina Hislop. The crew primarily consisted of youth between the ages of 14 and 21, mentored under the Project I.D.E.A. Media Club.

Project Lead Nandina Hislop shares, “We are immensely proud of this selection as this successful short film was achieved with a minute budget, powered by immense assistance from the production company One Island Media. Over 90% of actors in the film were first-time performers, which is a testament to the raw talent on our island. We hope this selection will result in a surge of public and private sector investment into the local film industry and the Project I.D.E.A. Media Club.”

Director of the film Samuel Jules, adds, “The acceptance of Ripple Effect into the Caribbean Film Festival brings me immense pride—not just because of the dynamic team, including passionate teens who contributed to its success, but because it also highlights pressing social issues in our communities. I hope this latest development in the film’s journey encourages positive change, inspires greater interest in the art of cinematography among young people, and encourages more support and resources for these creative pursuits.”

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, the Hon. Rachel Taylor, also extended congratulations:

“This is a proud moment for the Turks and Caicos Islands. Ripple Effect’s success on the regional stage highlights the incredible potential of our youth and the power of creative expression to tell our unique stories. I commend the Project I.D.E.A. Media Club, One Island Media, and all involved in this project for demonstrating what can be achieved through talent, mentorship, and perseverance. Initiatives like these are vital not only for building skills and confidence but also for providing positive pathways that steer our young people away from juvenile delinquency. The Ministry remains committed to supporting the growth of creative industries as key drivers of national development and youth empowerment.”

Ripple Effect has also been submitted for consideration to other Caribbean film festivals, including the Trinidad+Tobago Film Festival and the Bahamas Independent Film Festival, with hopes for continued success. For more information, email nehislop@gov.tc.

The Project I.D.E.A. Media Club is currently open for summer session applications. Apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/c53uYaAaDb.

Bahamas News

“Unspoken Storms” Breaks the Silence on Menopause—And How It Impacts Marriages of Faith

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AuthorsAndWritersHub.com

 

 Bahamas — Bahamian author Teri M. Bethel combines heartfelt storytelling, practical tools, and devotionals to help couples navigate the emotional and spiritual challenges of menopause together. Often called “the silent storm” in a woman’s life, menopause is deeply personal, widely misunderstood, and rarely discussed openly. Teri M. Bethel is changing that conversation with her new book, Unspoken Storms: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Menopause and Marriage – With Devotional Prayers for Emotional Healing and Intimacy.

Through the fictional yet emotionally raw story of Amanda—a devoted wife navigating menopause’s emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges—Bethel opens the door for honest, grace-filled conversations in homes and churches.

For many women, menopause brings more than just hot flashes; it can shake identity, emotions, and even marriage. “It’s unfortunate, but menopause sneaks up on many women and men,” says Bethel. “Beyond the jokes about hot flashes or personal summers, there’s often silence. But when mood swings, depression, anxiety, brain fog, and the physical pain of intimacy show up—and no one connects the dots—confusion can take root. My goal was to bring hope, clarity, and real help to this season.”

Early readers are calling Unspoken Storms “a book that walks beside you like a trusted friend.” Colleen Aitken praised Bethel’s approach as “beautifully tender, yet raw in its honesty—offering hope, healing, and restoration.” Heather Sands added: “I couldn’t put it down. It’s not the typical menopause book—it’s a source of peace, relief, and understanding for both women and men. This book belongs in every marriage ministry.”

Men often want to help but don’t know how, which can lead to misunderstanding, distance, or even divorce. While there are medical guides and clinical handbooks, very few books speak to women and couples with faith, empathy, and hope, blending story, Scripture, and practical steps for relief.

More than a novel, Unspoken Storms is a resource:

  • For women: to feel seen, understood, and equipped with faith and practical tools for this stage of life.
  • For men: a bonus chapter by Teri’s husband, Tellis, which offers insight into how menopause affects husbands, especially those who may be facing midlife challenges themselves, plus prayers to strengthen the marriage.
  • For couples: guidance to restore communication, intimacy, and partnership.

Bahamian author, Dr. Deborah Pople-Smith commended the book for “helping marriages realize that talking about menopause is not taboo—it’s necessary. Love and intimacy can still be shared with a little understanding and patience.”

“Menopause can feel like the end of something,” says Bethel. “But in reality, it can be the refining of love and faith. This book is an invitation to walk through it—together, stronger.”

Unspoken Storms is now available in Nassau at Logos Bookstore, in Eleuthera at Office General, and on Amazon in paperback, eBook, and audio formats.

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Enternainment

Island Elegance Meets Soulful Sound: TCI Gears Up for “Intimate Jazz & Soul” at Barbetta Lounge

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Magnetic Media | Editorial Team

 

Providenciales, Turks & Caicos — The Turks and Caicos cultural calendar is heating up as the countdown begins for Intimate Jazz & Soul — a sultry, sophisticated evening of music, art, and expression, headlined by local music icon Tess Charles and a host of homegrown talent.

Set to unfold on Sunday, July 27, 2025, at the chic Barbetta Lounge at The Somerset, the event promises to be more than a concert — it’s a curated cultural experience that fuses jazz, soul, spoken word, and fine art into one radiant night. From 8PM to 10PM, guests will step into an atmosphere of class and creativity, dressed in their summer linens and ready for an unforgettable night under the island stars.

The line-up is electric:

Mohen Cox — saxophonist and storyteller known for weaving melodies and humor with magnetic ease.
SamSol and Aaliyah Elliot — rising stars with rich vocals and stage presence; Aaliyah, also a Miss Turks & Caicos Universe contender, is poised to dazzle.

O’Brien Forbes and Super P — fan-favorite showmen whose energetic performances never disappoint.

Visual artists Levenia BishopAncy DoriscaBrittney Bien Aime, and Fay Ninon will add an elegant touch with a live fine art exhibition, offering guests a chance to engage with the Turks and Caicos creative scene.

Spoken word and poetry will round out the soulful ambiance, connecting hearts and minds in an evening that celebrates talent and island pride.

Presented by Barbetta House & TESSIntimate Jazz & Soul is already causing a stir on the island. Tickets are $75 and selling fast — available exclusively at Nikki’s Trinkets. For reservations, call (649) 332-4412.

With limited seating and a powerful mix of sound, sight, and soul, this one-night-only event is shaping up to be the talk of the summer. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this enchanting evening where island elegance meets artistic excellence.

Will you be there when the island takes center stage?

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Caribbean News

ALIV & ALIVFibr Sweep, winning 5 Ookla Awards at CANTO 2025

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By Deandrea Hamilton | Editor

ALIV and ALIVFibr have been honored with five major Ookla awards at the recent CANTO Conference in Nassau, taking top honors for: Fastest Mobile Network in The Bahamas; Best Mobile Network in The Bahamas; Best Mobile Gaming Experience in The Bahamas; Best Fixed Gaming Experience in The Bahamas and Fastest Fixed Network in the Caribbean.

These accolades, based on billions of global Speedtest® results, underscore ALIV’s robust infrastructure and commitment to innovation. Franklyn Butler II, CEO of Cable Bahamas Group, highlighted this significance:

“These awards are based on billions of real-world tests—independent, objective, and customer-driven… That speaks volumes about the strength of our infrastructure and our commitment to innovation.”

John Gomez, CEO of ALIV, praised the milestone as proof of delivering a world-class network:

“These awards are tangible proof that we’ve achieved our goal of building a top-of-the-line, unrivaled network in the Caribbean. We will continue to expand the ALIVFibr network to Abaco and beyond.”

This dual recognition—spanning both mobile and fixed sectors—is rare in the region and demonstrates ALIV’s ongoing growth and ambition. The company’s strategic fiber rollout, branded as ALIVFibr, has rapidly expanded high-speed broadband in Nassau and parts of Abaco, backed by a $70 million investment.

Public sentiment also aligns with this prize-winning momentum. According to a 2024 retail fixed market review by URCA, customers rated service availability and reliability highly—evidence that quality is consistently improving. However, social media feedback shows pockets of concern over service installation delays, suggesting room for customer support enhancement.

With nearly universal internet coverage—94% national penetration but only 24% fixed broadband adoption—these awards signal ALIVFibr’s ability to close the remaining connectivity gaps. The company’s speed, reliability, and national strategy are now validated by both metrics and metrics and user sentiment.

As ALIVFibr continues its rollout to Abaco and beyond, this victory is more than symbolic—it’s a tangible testament to its leadership in Bahamian telecom.

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