Turks & Caicos International Film Festival to honor Tupac Shakur
The First Annual Turks & Caicos International Film Festival begins next week, October 17-21, 2006. As part of the celebration of the fusion of music and cinema, the TCIFF will honor two innovative and talented artists: Composer John Debney and the late actor/musician Tupac Shakur, ten years after his death.
Award-winning composer John Debney will be recognized for his unique ability to create memorable work across a variety of genres. He received an Academy Award nomination for his score for “The Passion of Christ,” has won three Emmys and eight ASCAP Awards. Known for being remarkably collaborative, for his most recent scores Debney has enlisted world-renowned musicians, including violin virtuoso Joshua Bell on Dreamworks’ score for “Dreamer” and trumpet legend Arturo Sandoval on the OutKast musical film “Idlewild.”
Tupac Shakur will be recognized as a performer who crossed racial, ethnic, cultural and medium lines. In life, the versatile young artist had the makings of being a major star, with success both as an actor and rapper/hip-hop artist, with many of his songs featured in several movie soundtracks. In his death we recognize Tupac for his undeniable voice and talent. His mother, Afeni Shakur will accept the award. The awards will be presented during the Awards Gala on Saturday, October 21.
The Turks & Caicos International Film Festival, which takes place in Providenciales, Turks & Caicos in the Caribbean, brings a unique celebration of the fusion of music and cinema with movies from around the world that tell stories about music, feature music or have musical themes. The Festival’s executive directors are Jasmine Guy and her husband, Terrence Duckette. Jasmine Guy, widely recognized for her hit television series “A Different World” in the late ‘90’s, has fostered her own love of music by performing on Broadway in shows such as “Chicago” and “The Wiz.” Now she and her husband Terrence are bringing their love of music and cinema together in this picturesque island setting, along with Academy Award-nominated producer Karolyn Ali, TCIFF Program Director.
Complete Festival packages and screening tickets are available now and can be purchased by visiting www.turksandcaicosfilmfestival.com. Individual tickets are also available for TCIFF parties and events and well as package or individual screening tickets.
TCIFF attendees will enjoy the island atmosphere in between screenings, including Festival-sponsored parties and of course live musical performances at this music-focused film festival. The TCIFF constructs temporary theatres around the island, including screenings on the white sand beaches of Grace Bay, named “Best Beach in the World” by the 2005 World Travel Awards.
