Toronto – (September 10th 20011) Former Canadian broadcast journalist Mitzi Benjamin will premiere her new feature film, The Skin, in Toronto this week.
Benjamin, the other half of HamaFilms, the dynamic husband and wife filmmaking duo based in Antigua, are here for the Red Carpet premiere of their fourth feature film at the CaribbeanTales Film Showcase at Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre on Friday September 16th, at 6pm.
Benjamin, (now Allen) was the first black television news reporter on CFTO television in the 1980’s until she relocated to the islands of Antigua & Barbuda where she started her own film and television production company with her husband, Howard Allen, the film’s director.
The Skin, a supernatural thriller based on Caribbean mythology stars renowned Jamaican film star Carl Bradshaw, known for roles in iconic films such as The Harder They Come, Dance Hall Queen, and Third World Cop. The film also stars Canadian actor Peter Williams (Stargate SGI, A Winter Tale, and Da Kink in My Hair) and UK actor Jeff Stewart (The Bill, Dead Man Running and True Horrors).
“I am really excited to be back home in Toronto, to share the film with the community that nurtured my love for the arts”, says Benjamin-Allen. “The Skin is an example of how our traditional stories can become Hollywood blockbusters.”
The Antigua & Barbuda Consulate will co-host a reception for the filmmakers on September 16th at Harbourfront Centre at 6 p.m. which will be followed by the screening at 7:30. A talkback session with the filmmakers will follow the screening.
The Skin premiered in Antigua & Barbuda in June and Prime Minister of Antigua & Barbuda, Hon. Baldwin Spencer, who has been following the duo’s work since their first feature, The Sweetest Mango in 2001, said, The Skin has proven that HAMAfilms has come of age and is taking the country with it.
Mitzi Benjamin-Allen who is also a facilitator in the Caribbean Tales Incubator sessions during the Toronto Film Showcase is using the opportunity to share her experience as a filmmaker with emerging filmmakers.
The Caribbean Tales Film Showcase is in its sixth year and has proven to be an excellent platform to highlight Caribbean-Canadian creativity.
For tickets, the schedule and general information about the CaribbeanTales Film Showcase and Market Incubator, visit www.caribbeantales.org/CTFF/.
Watch the movie trailer, see the behind the scenes video and read about the making of The Skin on http://theskinahamafilm.wordpress.com.