Published 24 October 2021
Basseterre
Buckie Got It, St.Kitts and Nevis News Source
MoENT HARNESSING CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE POTENTIAL OF THE FEDERATION AS NEW FILM SET TO BEGIN PRODUCTION
Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 24, 2021 (SKNIS): The Ministry of Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development (MoENT) is playing a critical role in enabling talent development across the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis. On October 23, 2021 members of MSR Media Group along with the MoENTlaunched ‘Christmas in the Caribbean’, a production set to begin filming soon in St. Kitts. The launch took place at the scenic Kittitian Hill.
“We believe that apart from the beauty of the Islands, we have a unique attribute of two islands to offer and two islands both filled with locations full of possibilities in order for us to have a very successful film industry…The Team Unity Administration established the Ministry of Entertainment, Entrepreneurship and Talent Development that would form part of its commitment to harness and develop creative and innovative energies of the citizens and residents of St. Kitts and Nevis. This new ministry is mandated to transform the entertainment, creative and innovative industries, through entrepreneurship and economic value creation. The main aim is to create the right ecosystem which would allow entrepreneurs to reignite, flourish and remain resilient in these critical times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Minister Byron-Nisbett.
The MoENT has earmarked several projects, programmes and policies specifically designed to develop an industry that would allow creatives and innovators to ply their trade effectively in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Mr. Philippe Martinez, the Director of MSR Media, described working in the Federation as truly a wonderful experience, while also indicating that the plan of his company is to build a new industry in the Federation.
“We are glad to have the support of the federal government and most important of everyone in the Federation. The excitement that the new industry of film has created among the population whether to come to be a part of the film as actors or a film school or acting school being created and crew… We have also hired over sixty (60) people from the Federation as full-time employees of MSR Media. It is something positive for the island and like our last three films it gives a wonderful image of the island,” said Mr. Philippe Martinez.
MSR Media Group has stated that several other islands were in discussion to be the location for the films currently being produced in the Federation including Barbados and the Dominican Republic but that the excellent management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic by the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis was the impetus for them choosing the twin-island Federation as the ideal location.
Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Lindsay Grant and Minister of Culture, the Hon. Jonel Powell were also present at the launch. The ceremony was chaired by Cheryleann Pemberton, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Entrepreneurship, Entertainment and Talent Development.
