Commissioner of the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission (BVITBFC), Ms Natalie O. Hodge, is calling on local filmmakers to submit entries for the inaugural International Film Festival. Photo: Facebook/JTV

The 284 Excellence Film Festival will take place October 30 to November 2, 2025 in the Virgin Islands. Photo: BVITBFC

The BVI Film Commission was established over 25 years ago to facilitate and encourage film productions coming into the unique Caribbean country. Photo: BVITBFC

‘EXIT WOUND’ by Hakeem Gravesande won the top prize, the Rhodni A. Skelton Award/Best Film, of the 2024 284 Excellence Film Competition put on by the BVI Tourist Board Film Commission. Photo: Facebook/Dame Peters

The 284 Excellence Film Festival (284XFF) will mark a major transitional step for the BVITBFC, Ms Hodge said on ‘The Big Story’ on JTV with Cathy O. Richards, on Wednesday, August 20, 2025. 

She encouraged filmmakers to submit their entries by the September 15, 2025, deadline.

Ms Hodge revealed that so far, fifteen films have been submitted from Suriname, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States Virgin Islands. However, there have been no submissions in the National and Student categories yet. 

“All of these awards have trophies and cash prizes,” Ms Hodge revealed.  

A celebration of Caribbean stories

“We’ve had film competitions since 2022, when we were observing the third year anniversary of the Film Commission. So now we are transitioning to a Film Festival.”

While she acknowledged that some people may not get it but the difference this year, with an International Film Festival, is that the previous film festival was open only to BVIslanders and filmmakers from the USVI, while this year, it will be open to filmmakers globally. 

The VI’s International Film Festival will be held under the theme, ‘Uniting Creative Voices, Celebrating Caribbean Stories’. 

“We want to unite all the voices globally and the Caribbean diaspora. We want to celebrate these Caribbean stories, and as we go along, as the festival evolves, we want to see more of those Caribbean stories…on screen.”

Ms Hodge invited filmmakers to submit entries that others can enjoy watching and celebrate their work. 

The categories

The International Film Festival will focus on Caribbean stories and will have various categories now open for entry until September 15, 2025. Categories include the following: 

Legends of the Lens: Open to filmmakers who have won film festivals in the past

Your Author. Your Story: Diaspora filmmakers adapt Caribbean literary works (40 minutes or less). Ms Hodge explained that an excerpt from the book ‘Monster in the Middle’ by Caribbean author Tiphanie Yanique was selected by the BVITBFC. Filmmakers in the region are encouraged to adapt that excerpt for the screen; however, they are not limited to this excerpt. 

Local Lens (National): Open to locals with films submitted following the guidelines, and must include icons from the BVITBFC’s logo.

Student Smartphone: Open to students aged 9 to 12 and 13 to 17. The same guidelines must be followed, and the film should be shot on a smartphone. 

Viral Video Challenge, sponsored by Cape Air: Also open to students who are tasked with creating a 90-second video promoting the VI. Entrants will have access to Cape Air’s aircraft. 

Honorary Category: Special out-of-competition screenings highlighting exceptional works curated by the filmmakers from around the world.

The inaugural international film festival will be held from October 30 to November 2, 2025. 

‘EXIT WOUND’ by Hakeem Gravesande won the top prize, the Rhodni A. Skelton Award/Best Film, of the 2024 284 Excellence Film Competition. 

See link to related story 

https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/en/news/bvitb-film-commission-launches-inaugural-film-festival