Ava DuVernay, Lorraine Toussaint, and Marlon James to Headline 2025 Cross Continental Forum in Barbados

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS — Three of the most celebrated voices in global Black storytelling—director Ava DuVernay, actress Lorraine Toussaint, and novelist Marlon James—are set to headline the 2nd Annual Cross Continental Forum (CCF) in Barbados from June 14–18, 2025.

The landmark conference, spearheaded by Canada’s CaribbeanTales Media Group (CTMG), focuses on “Decolonizing Co-Production” and aims to foster meaningful partnerships between Black and global majority filmmakers from the Caribbean, Canada, Africa, the UK, and Europe. With support from the Canada Media Fund, Invest Barbados, British Film Institute, University of the West Indies (Cave Hill), and National Cultural Foundation Barbados, the forum is quickly becoming a must-attend event on the international creative industries calendar.

Diaspora Power Meets Industry Strategy

“We are truly delighted to welcome Ava, Lorraine, and Marlon to this historic gathering,” said Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO of CTMG and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. “The Cross Continental Forum is a strategic gateway for Black filmmakers to build and scale co-productions across borders.”

The 2025 edition will once again be guided by a distinguished Steering Committee chaired by Guyanese-American actress CCH Pounder, known for her work in Avatar, NCIS: New Orleans, and The Shield. CCF 2025 continues its mission of empowering Black creators with the tools, networks, and visibility to lead global storytelling.

A-List Participants and Purpose-Driven Programming

• Ava DuVernay, Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated director (Selma, 13th, When They See Us), will open the forum and deliver a closing Masterclass open to the public. She will also serve as a celebrity juror for the CCF Big Pitch competition and explore production opportunities in the region.

• Lorraine Toussaint, the Trinidad-born actor known for her roles in Orange is the New Black, The Equalizer, and Law & Order, will mentor participants and serve on the jury alongside DuVernay. She will be present for the forum’s full duration.

• Marlon James, the Jamaican novelist who won the 2015 Man Booker Prize for A Brief History of Seven Killings, will serve as a panelist, contributing his global literary perspective to the conversation on cross-cultural storytelling and representation.

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