Above: downtown St John’s (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Antigua cannot sustain its economy on tourism alone, according to Bert Kirchner, a local film producer and chairman of the International Film Festival of Antigua & Barbuda.

Kirchner said that, with the recent decline in the global economy, Antigua must make itself known to Hollywood.

That led to the decision to host an international film festival, something that some Caribbean countries, notably the Bahamas, have done in a similar bid to draw film and creative interest.

According to Kirchner, the festival is working intensively to promote itself, with Karib Cable on board as a marketing avenue for the festival to promote the event throughout the region.

The festival will take place from Nov. 18 to Nov. 25, with regional and international showings as well as a red carpet event.

The film festival held its inaugural edition last year. It has since received membership with independent film company Without a Box.