ARCHIVE 2023 – Hairouna Film Festival

In 2023 Hairouan Film Festival held it’s 4th edition of the film festival screening through two weekends from May 5 to May 13. HFF 2023 combined free online events with free in-person screenings including an action packed opening
weekend at Calliaqua Playing Field screening films from the Caribbean diaspora in Toronto through to home grown Vincentian talent with a total of 11 films made in St Vincent. For the closing night, a special screening of ‘Wishing for Wings’, a documentary shot in the juvenile detention facility in Trinidad, was hosted at one of our long-time partner’s locations Flowt Beach Bar with the audience treated to an in person Q&A with the filmmaker Dr Kim Johnson. All this plus online screenings nearly every night of the festival to reach audiences around the world.

Event Images

Opening Night 2023

The opening night event on Friday May 5 commenced with short film Patty vs Patty which tells the story of Toronto’s bizarre “patty wars” in 1985. This was followed by ‘Becoming a Queen’ an illuminating documentary showcasing the impact of Vincentians on Toronto
Carnival and promises to be an inspiring event to bring the family to.

Vincentian Film Night

Vincentian filmmakers took center stage at the annual “Vincy Film Night” on Saturday May 6. A total of 11 short films which tell the stories that Vincentians will feel all too familiar with from Bequia’s Turtle King to the 2021 eruption of La Soufriere. We are pleased to screen the work of Sebastian Cyrus, Dante Ollivierre, Darron Horne, Anthony Junior Sargeant, Kimony Wilson, Cris Brackin, Amorel Sam, Patricia Fraser, Danroy Thomas, Kimlyn Wilson, Shemron Yorke, Jessenter Bowens, Danny Michael, Nixon York, Rafique Hackshaw, Gloridene Hoyte, Clyornique Durrant, Brendon Child, Elna Michael, Colin Browne, Aiko Roudette, Jamali Jack, Akley Olton and Javed DaSouza.

Amorel Sam

Jessenter Bowens

Sebastian Cyrus

Vonnie Roudette

A moving night on May 7th features powerful films that depict fictional and real-life stories of migration form Trinidad & Tobago, Haiti, Jamaica and Guadeloupe, examining the historical and contemporary triggers underlying these movements.

Ancestral traditions rise to the fore on May 8th with a series of films exploring African spirituality in a contemporary Caribbean context. We are rounding off the evening with Kumina Queen (Jamaica) a feature film by Nyasha Laing focusing on freedom, healing and transformation for those who choose it.

May 10th will spotlight the viewpoints of mistreated and misunderstood communities in Caribbean society. This
section of films aims to support their cause and movement by sharing their perspectives in a view to work towards a
more just, inclusive and accepting culture.

A selection of short films will be presented on May 11th reflecting experiences and perspectives of contemporary
Caribbean women as they navigate classism, sexual assault and complex mother/ daughter relationships.

At HFF we love animation! This year we have a whole day dedicated to animated films from the Caribbean region.
A series of delightful shorts like Lunchline Bully (Jamaica) and Mi Raza (Cuba). Bring the family to watch these
screenings in person at Carib Beans Superfoods Coffee House.

HFF 2023 closed with Kyvon Edwin’s Lettre La a short dramedy that follows a young West Indian DJ who struggles
with heartbreak followed by Dr Kim Johnson’s Wishing for Wings, a moving documentary that gives hope for prison reform programmes. The
audience was enthralled by this film and the screening was followed by a fascinating Q & A segment hosted by
festival director Aiko Roudette.

HFF 2023 Closing Night

Hairouna Film Festival 2023 Partners

We’d like to extend a huge thank you to our 2023 partners, without you this wouldn’t be possible! Flow & Flowt, Sundown Cinema, Carib Beans, North Eleven Projection, VIP PIX, and Joche Entertainment.