“A Winter Tale” premieres in the U.S.
A Winter Tale, produced by Leda Serene Films, directed by Frances-Anne Solomon, written by Michelle Lonsdale Smith and Frances-Anne Solomon and Associate Produced by Regan Macaulay, will have its Gala premiere at the 15th annual African Diaspora Film Festival in Manhattan on November 23rd, with additional screenings on November 25th and Dec 1st. The film stars Peter Williams and Leonie Forbes, and both are being honoured at a special reception hosted by the Jamaican Consulate General in New York on Tuesday November 20th.
A Winter Tale tells the emotional story of a Black men’s support group that begins to meet at a local Caribbean Takeaway restaurant after the shooting death of a young child. It features a talented ensemble cast, including Forbes and Williams, and took home the Outstanding Canadian Feature Film Award at the prestigious ReelWorld Film Festival, as well as Best Feature at the Trinidad Film Festival, among several other awards.
Leonie Forbes is known as Jamaica’s First Lady of Theatre and Film. She began her career training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. Her talent, drive, and dynamism established her as one of the Caribbean’s most respected artists. She has received many awards including: the Order of Distinction from the Jamaican government; the silver and bronze Musgrave (top awards of the arts, culture and science in Jamaica); and the Institute of Jamaica’s Centenary Medal. Forbes graced the silver screen in major Hollywood pictures, performed in dozens of theatrical productions, and has worked as a radio broadcaster and programmer in Jamaica. In 2003, Forbes starred in the ground-breaking Caribbean-Canadian sitcom Lord Have Mercy for which she was nominated for a Gemini Award in the category of Best Actress in a Comedy or Drama. She also produced 5 audio books for the Literature Alive series (CaribbeanTales). Sound Editor Kevin Risk had the honour of working with her on the audio books.
1995 Genie Nominee Peter Williams, who stars in the film alongside Ms. Forbes, is one of Canada’s finest actors. Williams has built his impressive career acting in Canadian films such as Soul Survivor, directed by his brother acclaimed Hollywood director Steven Williams, and Love Come Down, directed by Clement Virgo, as well as many Hollywood film & television programs like The Chronicles Of Riddick and Stargate SG-1.