It's not quite ready to challenge Cannes or Sundance, but in its second year, the Belize Film Festival is making a name for itself.
It is bigger and more ambitious than last year. Bigger by calling on a wider field of international talents and more ambitious because Belizean filmmakers are getting in on the action.
Jamaican film commission envoy to the festival Brian St. Juste says that activities like these prove to be very valuable in showing and marketing productions.
Brian St. Juste,
"This is where filmmakers can bring their product so people can see it. Someone can like your work and critique and tell you what they think. Another is that you can meet other filmmakers and find common ground. But the bigger picture is that you can get your film sold."
Suzette Zayden,
"The objective of the second annual film festival is the same as last year which is the create a space where people can come together, show their products and at the same time we are trying to introducing the Belizean public that they are excellent films made outside the Hollywood market - which we typically view."
The festival will run for a week from March 4th to the 11th. It will feature international and Caribbean films as well as Belizean videos. There will also be seminars and workshops in film production and related areas.