Aiko Roudette, Hairouna Film Festival launch film challenge
AIKO ROUDETTE and the Hairouna Film Festival (HFF), which she spear heads, are attempting to help preserve local heritage through the use of film and competition.
Part of this effort has seen the HFF launching a challenge, “Vincy Say So-Tell a Vincy Story your way”.
The competition is open to Vincentians of any age, including those living abroad and Roudette said that the organisers are encouraging participants to select a Vincentian saying or expression that they find interesting or inspiring and transform it into a short movie of no more than five minutes duration.
Examples of Vincentian expressions highlighted by the HFF include “Crappaud smoke yo pipe”, “Way yo catch cold go blow yo nose”, “When yo tink is bush is people”, and “Guava doh bear lime”. The challenge is open to a range of genres, including comedy, drama, horror, romance, documentary, animation and experimental films. Roudette told SEARCHLIGHT that no previous film making experience is required, and participants do not need expensive equipment to enter.
HFF is making the challenge accessible to aspiring film makers by accepting films shot on mobile phones, tablets, Digital Single-Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras, mirror-less cameras or professional cinema cameras.
The organisers are also placing emphasis on storytelling rather than equipment, while encouraging participants to pay attention to sound quality by using a microphone where possible or filming in quiet locations.
Roudette said they are encouraging participants to speak with older family members and other elders about old-time Vincentian sayings as part of the process of learning more about the country’s heritage.
The rules state that each submission must include the selected saying and an explanation of its meaning, along with the film maker’s name, and the names of any members of the production team.
Films must be submitted electronically to info@hairounaff.org no later than 11:59 p.m. on September 18, 2026. Late submissions will not be accepted.
The winning film maker or team will receive a prize of EC$2,000, while second placed will get EC$1,000.
“The festival is also reminding entrants that their films must be their own work and that they must have the rights to all elements included in their submissions. Films must be appropriate and respectful and must not contain hate speech or promote harmful behaviour,” Roudette stressed.
The rules also state that by entering the competition, film makers grant the HFF permission to screen their films at HFF events, and use them on social media and for promotional purposes. Creators will, however, receive credit for their work.
“The challenge provides an opportunity for Vincentians, particularly young and aspiring creatives, to use film to preserve and reinterpret expressions that are part of the country’s oral tradition.
“Are you a Vincentian that ever wanted to just try make a movie? Well, this is your chance,” Roudette said.
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