By The Caribbean Camera Inc. on March 10, 2025
Film and television producers from around the world will converge on Barbados from June 14 to 18, for the second annual Cross Continental Forum (CCF)—a groundbreaking initiative aimed at decolonizing media co-production and expanding market access for Global Majority producers.
The five-day forum will provide 26 selected producers from the UK, Canada, Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean with a unique opportunity to forge strategic partnerships, secure funding, and access international markets. A virtual Co-Production Lab in May 2025 will precede the in-person event, offering industry professionals an in-depth look at co-production incentives, funding mechanisms, and legal frameworks.
Under the theme “Decolonising Co-Production,” CCF challenges traditional barriers in the global film and TV industry by creating sustainable collaborations that highlight shared histories and storytelling traditions across continents. The forum’s 2024 edition, which featured acclaimed actor CCH Pounder and producer Paul Garnes, underscored its ability to unite African, Caribbean, and Diasporic creative voices.
CCF’s primary objective is to empower Global Majority producers by leveraging international co-production treaties and funding streams. The program aims to:
- Foster partnerships among producers from the UK, Canada, South Africa, and the Caribbean
- Unlock financial incentives through tax credits and co-production treaties
- Facilitate market access to key territories, using Barbados’ strategic location as a hub
- Support diverse storytelling traditions that amplify underrepresented voices
- Create employment opportunities across multiple production industries.
Producers attending CCF2025 will gain exclusive access to 25 international industry experts, structured matchmaking sessions, one-on-one meetings with financiers, and a Pitch Showcase where they can present projects for cross-continental collaboration.
One of the key benefits of the forum is its focus on unlocking financial incentives across multiple regions. Delegates will be introduced to:
- UK and European tax relief programs
- Canadian federal and provincial tax credits
- Caribbean film incentives
- South African production incentives.
- By structuring projects around these funding streams, producers can maximize their financial returns while ensuring that stories from the Global South reach broader audiences.
Call for applications
Applications for CCF2025 are now open, offering media entrepreneurs a rare opportunity to build sustainable international partnerships. With a focus on developing at least two major co-productions per year, the forum is set to reshape how diverse stories are told and distributed on a global scale.
For producers seeking to connect, collaborate, and innovate, CCF2025 presents an unmissable opportunity. Applications are now open till March 31, 2025 for those looking to participate in this pioneering initiative.
For more information, visit https://www.creatorsofcolour.com/cross-continental-forum/.
Source: Caribbean Camera