The BVI Film Commission under the leadership of Film Commissioner Ms. Natalie O Hodge met with approximately 20 top media professionals from a range of industries in the Virgin Islands on December 17th at the Loose Mongoose for a morning of networking, engaged conversations and understanding the Film Commission and its role.
In an invited comment Natalie O Hodge said, “It was very important for us to host the first of its kind Media Professionals “Fam” Breakfast which served as an event aimed at bridging the gap with media professionals in the industry. The “Fam” Breakfast is a familiarisation event that created an atmosphere whereby local media professionals, specifically those in the film and photography industry, were able to meet and network with other like-minded professionals. Our objective was to ensure that our local media professionals get to know their “Film Commission Officers,” the role of the Film Commission and to identify and discuss ways how we can best support their endeavours as they navigate careers in this industry.”
Hodge continued, “We were pleased with the turnout and thankful to those persons who took the time to attend the informative and interactive session. Moving forward we hope to create other initiatives where we can collaborate with local media professionals to ensure we market and promote BVI through our shared talents and skills as a premier film location, which would ultimately create an uptick in the number of film productions coming to BVI.”
Also present was former Film Commissioner Mr. Rhodni Skelton, present Deputy Director of the BVI Tourist Board who spoke highly of the new Film Commissioner and her team who have hit the ground running. Skelton lauded their efforts in ensuring that media professionals understand the team effort it will take in marketing the Virgin Islands as a premier film destination.
The BVI Film Commission was established over 25 years ago to facilitate and encourage film productions coming into the unique Caribbean country. Since then the entire country has embraced the film fraternity and warmly welcomes an increasing number of productions each year.