Cayo Scoop! The Ecology of Cayo Culture

Creative Kaos is the upcoming film documentary about how they made Kurse a di Xtabai, a film shot entirely in Cayo, in just 3 months.  Daniel Velazquez has released the first teaser trailer for it.  'A film training experiment in the jungle' says it all.  Kurse a di Xtabai was the opening film for last year's Belize Film Festival, and it won the creative arts award.

Daniel Velazquez, who is working on the documentary film based on the making of Kurse a di Xtabai, has released some footage.  The first part will be called 'The Judgement,' and it features the Belize Film Festival's awards ceremony, and the commotion that happened during and after.

Kurse a di Xtabai, which was filmed in Cayo by Make-Belize Films, is getting mentioned quite a bit in articles about this year's Belize Film Festival.  

"For the very first time, the festival was opened by a feature length Belizean made film titled “2012: Kurse A Di Xtabai” produced by Make-Belize Films.  Directed by Canadian Matthiew Klinck, the movie showcases an all Belizean cast starring Nehanda Higinio, Jim Arnold, and Robert Grieg and was filmed entirely on location in Belize and in Belize Creole."

The Belize Film Festival has released a video with clips from 25 of this year's movies that will be presented.  Kurse a di Xtabai, which was filmed all around Cayo, and features many Cayo locals and students, has quite a few clips in it.  Island Films did a great job on this one!

"Featuring scenes from 25 of the movies in this year's Belize International Film Festival, get a glimpse at the drama, excitement, laughs, and romance that await you at the movies!  Visit: http://belizefilmfestival.com"

Kurse a di Xtabai will be premiering on July 13th at the Belize Film Festival.  We had the opportunity to see Matthew Klink's thriller last night, and it's a winner.  Funny, scary, and witty - the 'Hollywood' quote is hilarious - it's bound to score Make Belize Films the 1st place.  They've decided to move the BFF back to the city, so we'll just say, "good luck with that, and better luck next year." 

https://www.facebook.com/2012KurseADiXtabai
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zI2OSLIX3iQ

The National Institute for Culture and History has a creative promotional video out explaining what they are all about.  NICH is comprised of the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, the various Houses of Culture, the Museums of Belize, the Institute of Archaeology, and the Institute of Creative Arts.  You'll see fliers for all of the events happening this month for the Festival of Arts, which started on the 3rd, and runs through the 22nd.  It also features Tanya Carter and Melonie Gillett singing 'Low,' so it's definitely worth a watch.

In related news, the Belize Archaeology and Anthropology Symposium is July 2nd through the 5th, and it'll be at the San Ignacio Resort Hotel.  The Belize Film Festival will be from July 11th through the 15th.

http://www.nichbelize.org/

https://www.facebook.com/NICHBZ

This Saturday, there will be a screening of Kurse a di Xtabai on Meluchi's big screen to celebrate the DVD launch.  The movie was made completely in Cayo, and was premiered at the Belize Film Festival.  After the Sacred Heart College Fair, check out the screening at 8:00pm.  

Cayo was represented at the Belize Film Festival opening ceremony.  Orquidea Negra was there, as were many others.  The Benque House of Culture has uploaded quite a few pictures from the 13th Baktun performance.

"NO wonder why we are known as The West is the Best!!  Espectacular and extraordinary presentation from Benque HOC's very own artisits, Orquidea Negra Dance Company, Luna Maya Studio and no other than Mr. Pablo Collado, Simply Magnificent!!  But images speak better than words!  Congratulations to all mebers that represented our culture, Benque HOC applaud their great efforts, specially to Director Mr. Mike Maurico, and thank you for sharing your talent."

The Artists in Development Consultation Tour is currently touring the country.  They will be in Cayo on June 7th at Midas.  The Institute of Creative Arts, along with MIAB, BAVIA, NICH, and BSCAP are putting on the tour.  Call 227-2110 for more information.  Don't forget that the Belize Film Festival is being relocated to Cayo.

Institute of Creative Arts FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Institute-of-Creative-Arts/129954480354313

The crew had some fun while shooting around Cayo.  These behind the scenes shots are great.  The project is at this point called, "2012, The Belize Witch Project."  It will be a full length movie when finished, and Matthew Klinck and Daniel Velazquez will be submitting it to the Belize Film Festival.  Good luck to them!