Since 2016 the CHASE Fund has been supporting the JAFTA Propella Initiative to identify and promote the talent of Jamaican filmmakers through the creation of short films. The objective is to support emerging film writers and producers with the long-term goal of building a strong and diverse film community
Established in 2016, JAFTA Propella has been selecting up to five budding film-makers through a film competition. The production of the short films is funded by the CHASE Fund. In this its third year, those selected, were granted J$850,000 and a trip to premiere their films at the Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival.
“Flight” was one of the four films produced for 2018. The film follows Kemar, a youth from the inner-city who dreams of flying to the moon. The inspirational 13-minute film is aimed at inspiring youth to dream big irrespective of their circumstances.
Screenwriter and Director, Kia Moses and members of her production team, visited the CHASE Fund on June 28, 2019 to screen the film and discuss its success with members of the CHASE Board of Directors. Moses outlined the production journey and highlighted the many awards the film had received including the BWFN (Black Women in Film Network) awards for: Best Screenplay, Audience Award, and Best in Festival; two awards (Best Short Film and Audience Award) at the Nouveaux Regards Film Festival in Guadeloupe; and the prize for the Best Short Film at the Festival International du Film Pan African de Cannes in France.
Since inception in 2003, the CHASE Fund has played a supportive role in the funding of film and video production and has also provided scholarships for students pursuing training in film production.
