Toronto, Canada : The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority (Toronto, Canada Office) has launched a short film development project, ‘Cinematic Connections’, with a call for short stories/screenplays. Story submissions are open to secondary and tertiary education students in Antigua and Barbuda, ages twelve to seventeen.
Cinematic Connections, with support from the ABTA, is looking for a short story to make into a short film. Students who may not know how to write a screenplay are encouraged to give it a try by writing a short story. Submitted stories must be culturally relevant and deal with social issues. It can be written by an individual or a group. The story should be no more than 15 pages, single-spaced, font size 12, and must be an original piece. The deadline for submission is June 30th, 2025.
The project aims to bring youth storytelling and cinematic filmmaking into the spotlight as part of Antigua and Barbuda Art Week, taking place from November 26 – December 2, 2025.
For submissions, email cinematic.connections2025@gmail.com with names and contact details for writers involved.
The Cinematic Connection project is an evolution of the ‘An Evening with Gil Bellows’ event, an invite-only mixer of local film and TV professionals, which was held in January this year at the Copper and Lumber Store Restaurant, hosted by the ABTA – Toronto Office. Canadian Actor and Producer Gil Bellows, who was the featured speaker of the event, was impressed with Antigua and Barbuda’s youth storytelling talent, which he witnessed during his school workshop visits.
As a result, the ABTA, aided by Bellows and mentors, will select the storytelling team or individual from the call for stories from secondary and tertiary students. Casting, film crew selection, and location scouting will take place in the summer, and filming of the short film is expected to take place between November and December 2025, timed to align with the creative momentum of Antigua and Barbuda Art Week.
The final production will be submitted to regional and international film festivals and provides an exciting opportunity to celebrate Antiguan and Barbudan creatives on an international scale.