THE Embassy of Argentina, the High Commission of Canada and the Embassy of Chile partnered last Saturday with Guyanese filmmaker Rae Wiltshire to host ‘New Beginnings’, the LGBTQ+ Short Film Festival.

According to a release, the festival included LGBTQ+ themed short films from Argentina, Canada and Chile. However, the featured short film for the event was the Guyana premier of ‘Eating Papaw on the Seashore’, which was written and directed by Wiltshire himself.

The film also consisted of a cast and crew made up of notable names including Sonia Yarde, Mark Luke-Edwards, Nickose Layne, newcomer Isaiah Lewis, and Melissa Roberts.

The release noted that the film festival was organised to support the arts in Guyana, and promote LGBTQ+ rights and equality through the film.

“Several themes were explored at the festival, with the cast and crew of ‘Eating Papaw on the Seashore’ participating in a panel discussion at the end of the film. The audience and moderator were able to ask questions of the cast and crew who discussed working in the creative sector and the budding film industry in Guyana.

“Points raised included the lack of financial support for Guyanese film makers and the sacrifices that actors, actresses and crew members make to produce quality work.
“The team also discussed their choice in being a part of the production of a LGBTQ film which is unconventional given some of the stigma still experienced in Guyana,” the release noted.

Writer and Director Rae Wiltshire explained that Guyanese filmmakers do have the talent to create amazing work, but more community support is needed for the film industry to grow in Guyana. He also expressed gratitude to High Commission of Canada and the Embassies of Argentina and Chile for their support.

The Argentine film shown at the event was ‘El Puto Inolvidable’, and Deputy Head of Mission Dolores Kuunst explained that the film documented the journey of Carlos Jauregui, an Argentine LGBT activist who promoted the country’s first Pride March, and whose advocacy changed Argentine history and its gay rights legislation.

Both the High Commissioner of Canada Mark Berman and Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Chile Alejandro Peres emphasised that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights, and these individuals deserve to be respected.

The event, which was held at the Theatre Guild, was well attended by members of the diplomatic community, human rights activists, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and members of the creative industry. The Embassy of Argentina, the High Commission of Canada and the Embassy of Chile are hoping to make the film festival an annual event, the release said.