#mydominicastory

2014 marked the 10th anniversary of my fathers’ passing, so to honour his fond memories of Dominica I'm producing a documentary series which follows my Dominica story. Walk with me...

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For those of us waking up to realise we have an extra hour in bed, click the image to spend it wisely

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ID Project: My Dominica Story documentary film review

ID Project: My Dominica Story documentary film review by UK movie critic Chris Olson. Written and directed by Richard Etienne.

It feels exciting, humbling (and slightly odd) to read a review of my work. But here it is — thank you @UKFReview for your glowing review.

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The iD Project at COMMFFEST

More great news for The iD Project in its debut film festival year. The multi-award-winning documentary was officially selected to screen at COMMFFEST – Antigua & Barbuda International Film Festival in Toronto, Canada.

The documentary screened on 5 October, as part of Antigua Barbuda day, in front of a packed Grandroom theatre and received a warm reception by all in attendance. 

Thank you to the Festival organisers, President Sandie de Freitas, Vice President Norman Hart and Festival coordinator Nairnder Dhaliwal.

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The iD Project | Full Film

Watch the multi-award winning documentary here for free!

Now the film festival circuit has come to a close for my documentary, I can now share the full film with you. 

Thank you to all who had a hand in making this film a reality and, as always, I want to acknowledge the man who inspired this film, my father the late, great Richard Etienne Snr. 

I hope you enjoy. 

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BUFF AWARDS 2019: full list of winners

From Noel Clarke to Terry Pheto – here’s who won what at the climax of Britain's biggest film festival for diversity. This year’s 5th annual ceremony was staged at Met Film School, Ealing Studios. Terry Pheto’s performance as a long-suffering wife and domestic abuse victim won her international success on Saturday evening – one of three awards for the anthology drama Faces. The film was the biggest winner at the VIP ceremony, picking up prizes including best actor for Aki Omoshaybi and best feature for director Joseph A. Adesunloye.

There was another film success for director Richard Etienne, winning best documentary for The iD project - My Dominica Story to add to his earlier Caribe Film festival gong and director Greg Hall, winning best short film for Smack Edd (sponsored by Met Film School). In the live script category (presented by Kelly Edwards from HBO), there was success for Jo Southwell (‘Loyalty’), Eno Enefiok (Asylum) and Malcolm J Solomon (Raped). The final award of the night was presented by actors Ashley Walters (Top Boy, Bulletproof) and Wil Johnson (Adulthood, Outlander) and accepted by Noel Clarke for recognition of 20 years of outstanding contribution to the film and TV industry. It was an emotional moment for Clarke who received two standing ovations from the packed audience, one at the start of his speech and one at the end. Moments after watching a summary of his accomplishments, Clarke said “the interesting thing about it and maybe that’s just testament to what I do is that I don’t feel like I’ve achieved anything. I don’t mean that in a sympathetic way. I haven’t done half of what I know I can do or what I know I want to do and so for me a lot of that stuff is just work it’s just what I do. I get up in the morning and I want to create. I want to succeed not just for myself but for others.” The winning films and scripts were pooled from 51 submissions selected by the board of the British Urban Film Festival, chaired by it’s founder Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe. The submissions were showcased during the week-long festival - now in it’s 14th year - at Met Film School, Ealing Studios. The full list of winners at the 2019 British Urban Film Festival awards Short film (sponsored by Met Film School) Smack Edd (Dir: Greg Hall) - WINNER Eli (Dir: Colin Gerrard) No Exposure (Dir: Marcus Thomas) Paparazza (Dir: Aurora Fearnley) Blessing Anyiam-Osigwe best actress Elinor Machen-Fortune (Acceptable Damage) Seyi Shay (Lara and the Beat) Terry Pheto (Faces) - WINNER Zoe Ranson (Stray Dog) Best actor Vector (Lara and the Beat) Elijah Baker (Acceptable Damage) Eddie Linina (Stray Dog) Aki Omoshaybi (Faces) - WINNER Best documentary Block and Censor (Dir: Awei Chen) The ID Project – My Dominica Story (Dir: Richard Etienne) - WINNER The Mayor's Race (Dir: Loraine Blumenthal) Song for our People (Dir: Mustapha Khan) Live Script (presented by HBO) Loyalty (Written by Jo Southwell) - WINNER Asylum (Written by Eno Enefiok) - WINNER Raped (Written by Malcolm J Solomon) - WINNER Victor Adebodun best feature Faces (Dir: Jospeh A. Adesunloye) - WINNER Acceptable Damage (Dir: Lavinia Simina) Lara and the Beat (Dir: Tosin Coker) Stray Dog (Dir: Luke Hefferman) British Urban Film Festival honorary award - RECIPIENT Noel Clarke

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We won!

The iD Project took home the Best Documentary award at the British Urban Film Festival in London last night.

More photos and info to come...

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BUFF Awards Documentary screenings

Thursday 5 September Met Film School, Ealing Green. 5.00pm – 10.00pm: BUFF Awards Documentary Screenings runtime: 4 hours 17mins + Q&A (4 documentaries)

You can now buy your ticket for the award-nominated screening of The iD Project at the British Urban Film Festival. 

Ticket Price: £15. This event is subject to change. Rated 15.

All 4 films have been nominated for best documentary at the 2019 BUFF Awards on Saturday 7 September. 

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The UK's top-selling black newspaper promotes The iD Project's BUFF selection

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Another month, another film festival and I’m so proud to announce that The iD Project won the Film Reel Award 2019 at the Caribe Film Festival in Miami. The award is in recognition of the production quality of my independently-funded film.

For full pictures from the sold-out festival, check out the Caribe Film Festival Facebook page.

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Taking you back to 1 April 2019 – the first time the world (well, a select few) got to see my documentary in its full glory. I must admit, I was extremely nervous and sat the front so that I couldn’t see anybody’s reactions. 

How was the film received? The video reveals all...

Thank you to the supporting charities SarcoidosisUK and Dominica Relief Fund. Also, thank you to the Courthouse Hotel for hosting the screening of my film. 

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BREAKING NEWS: The iD Project has been nominated for Best Documentary at the British Urban Film Festival (BUFF).

Save your space at the special award screening by reserving your ticket from the BUFF website.

Wednesday 4 September 17:00-22:00: BUFF Awards Documentary Showcase.

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An amazing night

Thank you to all the attendees and supporters for helping to make the pre-release screening a success. On behalf of SarcoidosisUK, Dominica Relief Fund (and my mum!) we hope you enjoyed the film and felt inspired to add Dominica to your travel bucket list.

I’ve included a few snaps as a memento of the evening and for the benefit of those who were unable to attend.

Here's a download link to the rest of the pics taken on the night by my younger brother, Micah.

I’ll have a highlights video on the way soon.

All the best.

Richard 

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Pre-release Private Screening + Director Q&A: The iD Project

SarcoidosisUK and Dominica Relief Fund are pleased to invite you to the private screening of the highly-anticipated documentary The iD Project, directed by British-Dominican filmmaker Richard Etienne. All proceeds from ticket sales and donations collected on the night will be shared equally between SarcoidosisUK and the Dominica Relief Fund.

As dedicated followers of my blog, you are invited to the pre-release screening of The iD Project. 

I’m so excited to share this with you and hope you can make it down.

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SarcoidosisUK to host documentary premiere

SarcoidosisUK are to be the proud hosts of The iD Project, which premieres in April 2019. ​​ The iD Project is a film inspired by my father, Richard Etienne Snr., who sadly passed away from sarcoidosis in 2004.

All proceeds from the ticket sales and donations collected on the night will be gifted to SarcoidosisUK and the Dominica Relief Fund. This will be an invite-only screening, however for your chance to win 2 tickets to the London premiere in April, visit the SarcoidosisUK competition page.

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It’s coming...

Summer 2019.

*image by Raphael O’Selle

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I am pleased to enclose the latest newsletter of the Dominica High Commission where some highlights from January to June 2017, and some upcoming events are featured.

Email me for your free copy.

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Mas Domnik is Dominica’s Carnival known as the ‘Real Mas’ because it holds true to Carnival traditions of the past. Held at the traditional pre-Lenten time, is a feast of calypso music, Carnival competitions and activities all leading up to two exciting days of street jump-up. About a month prior to the festivities, Carnival is formally opened with an official Opening Parade and ceremony which highlights the celebrations to come.

Carnival 2017: Jump-Up dates are February 27th & 28th 2017

Opening Parade & Official Ceremony: Saturday, February 4th 2017 in Roseau

For those of you unable to attend, enjoy this video by Bouyon queen Carlyn XP.

I got there in the end.