The St John Film Society comprises a group of local filmmakers and film enthusiasts, all volunteers, who have joined together for the purpose of exposing St John audiences of all ages to film and filmmakers from throughout the Caribbean and beyond. Their focus is on independent films that feature Caribbean-related cultures and issues. The society is not-for-profit and operates under the financial umbrella of the St John Community Foundation.
The St. John Community Foundation’s mission is to promote programs that strengthen community and family values and enhance the quality of life for all members of our community. It is a well-respected local endeavor that maintains 501(c)(3) status.
FOUNDING MEMBERS
Andrea Leland is an artist and independent filmmaker. She has produced and directed a number of award winning documentaries focusing on Caribbean and Latin American cultures. Her filmmaking experience covers a span of over twenty years.
In Haiti, Belize, Chiapas, the Virgin Islands and several Caribbean islands, she works collaboratively with community members providing a forum to voice their untold stories, personal challenges and compelling triumphs. Social, artistic or political actions are placed within the context of their culture, imploring the viewer to confront old myths and discover a new perspective. Her documentaries are successful tools for cultural preservation.
Ms. Leland’s films have been screened at museums, conferences and film festivals throughout Europe, Latin America and the United States. They have won numerous awards.
In 1998 Ms. Leland co-founded and co-directed REELTIME, a monthly screening series in Evanston Illinois (www.reeltimeevanston.org). The process of developing REELTIME is similar to that of developing an on-going mini-film festival. Tasks included: establishing an ongoing funding base for the series, engaging two screening facilities, building dedicated audiences, researching and identifying independent films appropriate for the audience, creating publicity for the film series, and presenting the films to the audiences. REELTIME is now in its 10 year and is extremely successful, both in terms of funding and audience participation.
Currently Ms. Leland spends most of her time in the Virgin Islands and is no longer a director of the film series in Illinois, though she continues to be a creative consultant to REELTIME.
For additional information about Ms. Leland, see www.andrealeland.com.
Rea McQueen Roberts has a comprehensive background in advertising, public relations and marketing. Her expertise includes special event planning and fundraising. Ms. Roberts has community outreach experience that includes citywide event planning in a major metropolitan area. She has also worked as an account manager for a national trade publication in the music industry.
Ms. Roberts is an active community volunteer. On St John she has helped establish an organic lunch program, co-op and store at one of the island’s schools. Her love of the outdoors and fitness has led to her involvement in several of St John’s annual athletic events, both as a participant and as a volunteer worker. She is an avid music and film enthusiast.
Martha Hills is a writer with over twenty years experience. Currently a contributing writer for the St John Sun Times, she publishes frequent book reviews and travel articles.
Ms. Hills is a long-time film enthusiast and sometimes critic. She is active in the St John community and a volunteer in several local endeavors, including the Friends of the Virgin Islands National Park. She was a board member of the St John Community Foundation for four years and served as president for two of those years.
Sigi Torinus is an artist who creates hybrid, new media works with an emphasis on video, performance and site-specific installation. Native to the Virgin Islands, her migratory journey has inspired her to explore ideas of origin and destination: mobility, navigation, cultural displacement and diasporic histories. She holds an MFA from the Braunschweig Art Institute, Germany, and San Francisco State University in California. Her works have been exhibited in the US, the Caribbean, Europe, Australia and Canada.
As consultant/designer Ms. Torinus has accompanied–since its inception–the well known and highly successful “Berlin and Beyond Film Festival” in San Francisco, now in its 15th year. This experience is instrumental in her role as as creative consultant/committee member of the St. John Film Society.
For additional information about Ms Torinus, see sigitorinus.com
Mark Johanson moved to St John from New York City where he spent every waking hour working on film and television. He worked in the art department on various television shows including Gossip Girl and the Black Donnellys as well as on several films including Spike Lee’s Miracle at St Anna. Additionally, he worked as a script reader for HDNet Films, a division of Magnolia Pictures.
Mark has a BA in Media Arts and Design with a concentration in Film Studies from JMU in Virginia and is an avid Film lover. Mark is excited to be assisting with the graphic design and to be working with the film society to help bring a more vibrant art scene to the St John community.
Felicia Olivieri Torres is a promising singer, songwriter and musician. She is a self-starter who is active in the St. John community and is enthusiastic about films and their potential to educate and preserve a community’s identity.
A native of St. John whose family has an extensive history on the island, Ms. Oivieri Torres demonstrates an active interest in preserving the culture and environment to which her family has contributed for many years. They among many others have been affected by the recent dramatic changes on St. John, which have had significant impacts on the traditional way of life as well as the land and ocean environments.
PARTNERS
St John Community Foundation acts as fiscal agent or fiduciary for the St John Film Society. It is non-profit and maintains 501(c)(3) status. SJCF’s executive director is Paul Devine. Donations to the St. John Film Society are encouraged and should be sent directly to Paul Devine at SJCF.
Kaleidoscope Video Catherine Fahy, owner of St. John’s video rental stores, purchases and makes available to the public films screened at the monthly events. In addition, Ms. Fahy will carry other titles recommended by St. John Film Society staff. A St. John Film Society Recommends shelf in both the Coral Bay and Cruz Bay stores is dedicated to these films.
Lihla Noori has had over 10 years experience in developing, implementing and managing community, governmental, and non-governmental programming in the fields of youth development, conservation of natural resources, interagency coordination and grant management. She is a highly creative, driven, action-oriented and inspirational individual with a diverse cultural background who personally believes that each challenge is an opportunity for advancement and growth.
Ms. Noori is presently the Marine Stewardship Coordinator for the VI Marine Advisory Service, Center for Marine and Environmental Studies at the University of the Virgin Islands. She holds a B.S. in Environmental Studies and a M.S. in Experiential Education.
Her experience includes coordinating “Reef Jam”, an event that showcases local entertainment and youth talent and presents a display of hands-on marine activities aimed at promoting the value of coral reef ecosystems to local youth and adults.
Elaine I. Sprauve Library and Museum is a free non-sectarian public library whose aim is to provide useful and accessible information for all ages. The library maintains cultural and recreational resources and materials which encourage and support personal growth and quality of life.
Selected titles from our monthly film screenings will be donated to the library and made available to the public.
For more information contact Rea McQueen Roberts: info@stjohnfilm.com