Toronto, ON – The 19th annual CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF) is set to host a special celebration for the 87th birthday of the Honourable Dr. Jean Augustine at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, 231 Queens Quay West, on Saturday, September 7, 2024. The evening promises to be a night of honor, entertainment, and cultural pride, with doors opening at 7:00 PM and the event beginning at 7:30 PM.
“This is the third year that we are hosting this celebratory night for Dr. Augustine, who is a national treasure,” stated Festival Director Diana Webley. “We take this opportunity to showcase and honor those from the Caribbean diaspora who have risen to the same level of excellence in their chosen industry as the Hon. Dr. Jean Augustine – the first Black Canadian woman Member of Parliament.”
The highlight of the evening will be the screening of Iconography: Mungal Patasar, a feature film directed by Mikhail Gibbings and Teneka Mohammed. The film profiles the world-renowned Indo-Trinidadian musician Mungal Patasar, celebrated for his unique fusion of traditional Indian sitar with Trinidad’s national instrument, the steelpan. Patasar, who resides in Trinidad, will be in Toronto for the screening and will be joined by pannist Professor Harold Headly for a special live performance that promises to captivate the audience.
The night will also feature the 2nd annual presentation of the Jean Augustine Excellence Award. This year’s honoree is Eddie Bullen, a pianist, composer, arranger, and producer originally from Grenada. Since arriving in Toronto in 1980, Bullen has established himself as a leading figure in the music industry, collaborating with prominent Caribbean, Canadian, and American artists, including Byron Lee, Maestro, David Rudder, Liberty Silver, and Deborah Cox. He has composed and arranged music for television, radio, and film, and produced over 200 albums. The award ceremony will include a special tribute performance by his wife, two-time Juno nominee Belinda Brady, a versatile artist known for her work in reggae, pop, soul, and jazz.
Following the film screening and award presentation, guests will be invited to a reception and toast in honor of Dr. Augustine’s remarkable legacy. This event is also a fundraiser for CaribbeanTales, a platform dedicated to uplifting Caribbean and African diaspora stories through film.
Tickets for this special evening are available now, offering the community a chance to celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. Jean Augustine while supporting CaribbeanTales’ mission to share the rich narratives of the Caribbean and African diaspora.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the CaribbeanTales International Film Festival website.
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