The Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival (TTFF) has marked its 20th anniversary with the successful launch of a UK screening series, Crossroads: Where Caribbean Cinema Meets the UK, highlighted by a sold-out premiere of Queen of Soca in Hertford in partnership with BEAM.
The screening forms part of TTFF’s wider anniversary programming, which celebrates two decades of championing Caribbean cinema, filmmakers and regional storytelling since the festival’s founding in 2005.
TTFF Director Mariel Brown said the UK launch reflects the festival’s broader mission as it enters its milestone year.
“As TTFF marks 20 years, we are proud to celebrate not only the films and filmmakers that have shaped Caribbean cinema, but also the connections, audiences and cultural spaces that will sustain it into the future. The UK premiere of Queen of Soca was everything I hoped Crossroads could be, full of heart, Caribbean diaspora spirit and a strong sense of community and connection through film,” she said.
The opening night attracted members of the Caribbean diaspora, film enthusiasts, cultural stakeholders and media representatives. Guests were welcomed with Caribbean food, drinks and a soca soundtrack, creating what organisers described as an immersive cultural experience ahead of the screening.
Queen of Soca, which explores Caribbean musical heritage and identity, received an enthusiastic response from audiences. Following the screening, viewers took part in a virtual Q&A with director Kevin Adams, who discussed the film’s themes and production process.
BEAM Hertford Venue Director Steve Sargeant said the collaboration underscores the venue’s commitment to cultural inclusion.
“BEAM is more than a venue; it’s a vibrant home for artists, ideas and community, where everyone can belong. We therefore couldn’t be prouder to host the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival, an extraordinary series of screenings that celebrate bold storytelling, global voices and the joy of shared cultural experience,” he said.
Cinema Programmer Patrice Robinson said the event helped spark meaningful cultural exchange.
“The UK premiere of TTFF Crossroads was a unifying experience, bringing together audiences from Hertford and beyond to enjoy the vibrancy of Queen of Soca. The standout post-film Q&A with Kevin Adams provided invaluable behind-the-scenes insight, while the launch itself sparked rich conversations celebrating Caribbean culture,” she said. “Audiences can expect even more cinematic gems from across the region throughout the season.”
The Crossroads series continues across four venues in the South East of England until June 18. Brown said this year’s programming also includes 10 for 20, a monthly anniversary screening series at the Little Carib Theatre in Port of Spain.
The curated series revisits 10 landmark films from the festival’s archive, reconnecting audiences with works that helped shape Caribbean screen culture over the past two decades.
Brown said initiatives such as Crossroads and 10 for 20 reflect TTFF’s ongoing commitment to expanding the global visibility of Caribbean cinema while creating opportunities for regional filmmakers and audiences.
The 20th edition of the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival will be held in September in Trinidad and Tobago.
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