Entertainment
Kareem Mortimer's "Cargo" wins best pitch at 2012 Caribbean Tales incubator
By The Bahamas Weekly News Team
Sep 14, 2012 - 1:34:22 AM



  A Bahamian produced film "Cargo" has just won best pitch at the  2012 CaribbeanTales Incubator program during the Toronto International Film Festival. Cargo is the third feature from award-winning director, Kareem Mortimer.

Mortimer, who is from Nassau, Bahamas pitched his idea among 13 other contestants from around the Caribbean and the Diaspora in front of industry professionals. "It's just an acknowledgement really for the strength of the project and an opportunity to let the world know what's happening next in my creative life," said Mortimer. "We are in the fundraising stage and every award helps as we actively seek funding."

Cargo tells the story of an immigration officer Kevin who becomes a human smuggler to pay off a debt and the lives of three immigrants his choices affect.  These immigrants include a stateless Haitian-Bahamian man, a Cuban hustler and a seventeen-year old Haitian girl. Mortimer, who also directed the award winning, "Children Of God" and the family film "Wind Jammers" says " Cargo speaks to how far we are all willing to go to ensure a better life for ourselves and the people we love, this film is specific to the Caribbean but applicable to audiences all over the world. 

The Incubator program is a competitive five-day intensive program that includes networking opportunities, a Market Lab, and a Pitching Breakfast with industry representatives.  The CaribbeanTales Showcase and Incubator takes place at the Harbourfront Center during the world-renowned Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), offering cross-  promotional opportunities. Six projects have been selected including Cargo.

Mortimer says, "CaribbeanTales is a pioneer in how it supports Caribbean Films and it's storytellers. I am grateful to be apart of such a wonderful program that will help launch one of my most personal projects to date." 

For more information on the upcoming production of "Cargo" visit www.mercuryrisingmedia.com

Bahamian filmmaker, Kareem Mortimer with his award during TIFF, now underway in Toronto.