FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 5th, 2025
Toronto, ON — The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF), North America’s premier showcase of Caribbean and diaspora cinema, officially launches the full program for its 20th anniversary edition. Taking place in Toronto from Wednesday, September 3rd to Saturday, September 13th, 2025, and streaming worldwide until October 3rd, the festival features 49 films that celebrate the depth, diversity and resilience of Caribbean storytelling. The in-person events will take place at CTFF’s The Hub, located at 837 Dundas St West.
Under the theme “Resilience in Motion,” this milestone edition includes premieres, retrospectives, talkbacks, and special events. Tickets are now available for all in-person and online screenings, and media accreditation is officially open.
About the Festival:
Founded in 2006 by Frances-Anne Solomon, an award-winning filmmaker and champion for inclusive cinema, CTFF has grown into an internationally respected platform for Caribbean filmmakers. Over the past two decades, the festival has screened more than 1000 films, amplified underrepresented voices, and reshaped how Caribbean stories are seen and valued on screen.
“The fact that we are celebrating our 20th anniversary reflects how far we’ve come as a people and how powerful our stories are,” says Solomon, Founder and Executive Director of CaribbeanTales Media Group. “It is a tribute to the voices that continue to shape and inspire the Caribbean diaspora.”
Festival Highlights Include:
- 20th Anniversary | 49 Films | Canadian premieres | 15+ Countries represented
- Opening Night Film: Bankie Banx: King of the Dune (Nara Garber, Anguilla/USA, 2024), featuring reggae icon Bankie Banx (aka Anguillan Bob Dylan), singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffet, actor Kevin Bacon, Stephen “Cat” Coore (founding guitarist with Third World) with an in-person talkback with award-winning filmmaker Nara Garber
- Closing night Film: The Last Meal (Maryse Legagneur, Canada/DR, 2024)
- September 6th – Honouring Our Legends: Celebrating the 88th Birthday of The Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine at The Harbourfront Centre Theatre, film screenings and the presentation of the Jean Augustine Excellence Award to Steelpan Ambassador Wendy Jones, CEO & Band Leader of Pan Fantasy
- September 7th – Canadian Premiere of Nomad in No Man’s Land (Hester Jonkhout, Netherlands/Curaçao, 2024), a film about pioneering director Felix de Rooy, who is an openly gay celebrated artist in the Caribbean
- Virtual CTFF from September 3rd – October 3rd, an extensive online platform accessible to global audiences.
CTFF continues to serve as a launchpad for acclaimed Caribbean films and a cultural bridge to international audiences.
With the full lineup now live and tickets available, audiences can explore this year’s program at www.caribbeantalesfestival.com.
Media are invited to cover the festival by applying for accreditation at www.caribbeantalesfestival.com/media.
Festival Director Diana Webley is available for interviews with radio, television and digital platforms.
CTFF Film Trailers Link Media Accreditation Link
Media Contact: Fennella Bruce l media@fkbmedia.com
About CaribbeanTales International Film Festival:
Built over 20 years, CTMG is the only media group in Canada that provides an ecosystem of screen-based activities that serve Black Canadian, and culturally diverse audiences. CTMG provides a pipeline of activities from creation to distribution that aims to uplift, enrich, promote and monetize Black and culturally diverse film and television content for audiences.
CTMG is home to the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF), now in its 20th year. CTFF celebrates the talents of established and emerging filmmakers of Caribbean and African heritage who practice their art across the Caribbean Diaspora worldwide.
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