By Chris Strikes
WE WON BEST FEATURE FILM!!!
I am so honoured to learn the news that Becoming a Queen won Best Feature at this year’s CaribbeanTales. I cannot tell you how honoured and grateful that I am for this award. I’m indebted to so many people, so without further adieu, I would like to sincerely thank the following:
The Life Source that gives all of us life and breath, that goes by many names including God
My mom, (duh)…thank for…well EVERYTHING, included but not limited to giving me life.
Joella Crichton (duh, again)…thank you for entrusting me to tell your beautiful story!
Kenney Coombs, for your participation and thank you for your incredible archive.
Lou-Ann Crichton you helped this film in so many ways, and thank you for your archive
Mischka Crichton, you rock!
Nneka Elliott, and thank you for moderating an incredible panel
Marcus Eustace and Carnival Nationz
Gerard Weekes and the entire FMC and Toronto Caribbean Carnival.
Jai and Colin Ojah-Maharaj for providing necessary vocals that everyone who has ever been to Toronto Carnival know and love!
All the production crew, and post production crew whether you came out for one day or many days thank you for your hard work and dedication!
Derek Brin for your hours and hours of working the music (the invisible character) and the sound editing.
Sonia Godding for helping me shape the story.
M’kaylah Fridal for all the back and forth in licensing material.
Felix Arifin for providing additional music at the last minute. CLUTCH!
Andrew Ross and Alter Ego for an incredible job with the colour, especially with being virtual.
Joel Elliott for your hard work with sourcing and licensing material.
Randy Massiah for your incredible archive, that you never knew would one day be apart of an award winning film!
Ron Dias for helping out in the many ways you did.
Aurora Cantera for an incredible poster and film art!
Everyone who watched early cuts of the film and provided invaluable feedback!
Thank you HotDocs CrossCurrents Canada and Toronto Arts Council for supporting the film with your much needed and much appreciated funding!
Thank you CariibbeanTales for the incredible push you put behind the film, and giving us thee opening night spot. And thank you for the award.