Entertainment

A BETTER DEAL

This is the promise being made by Graham Yarde, entrepreneur and creator of Trident Music, after the recent launch of the new local audio streaming e-commerce platform. Yarde said his new platform, which is slated to be available in all major app stores by September 30th, will bring greater monetary value to local artists, but offering 80% of the money from work sold on the platform.

He said: “My aim for Trident is to make it solely exclusive. I want that if Bajan artistes are out there on other streaming platforms and fans value them, they should be able to come to [Trident]. Most artistes would put on all streaming platforms and then gain revenue from that; my aim is not that. I did not want to split [the revenue] in the middle, I wanted to give an incentive that they can gain more. The 80/20 [split], they are gaining more revenue from that.”

Yarde stated that after seeing artists struggle for a number of years to make money from their releases, particularly during the COVID period, he felt the need for a new platform was necessary“What drove me to start Trident Music was not only my love for technology and business, but I also see daily how our local artistes struggle to make ends meet. Yes, we put soca out there, because soca is our brand, but there is a lot of hidden talent out there.”Musicians, including visual and spoken word artists, can contact Yarde at tridentmusicbb@gmail.com to have their works featured on the platform.

Entertainment

National Disability Unit’s First Movie Night Is March 8

As part of activities to celebrate the Month of the Disabled 2025, the National Disabilities Unit (NDU) will host its first Movie Night for the year, this Saturday, March 8, at its grounds at ‘Maxwelton’, Lower Collymore Rock, St. Michael.

Two movies, “Jungle Cruise” and “Inside Out 2”, will be featured under the stars, with the first expected to begin at 6:30 p.m.

Admission is free and persons are encouraged to bring their chairs and blankets. The movie night will end at 9:00 p.m.

One Community: United in Action for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future is the theme for the month. The aim is to encourage communities to actively include people with disabilities in all aspects of life and to actively ensure that they are fully integrated and considered in all aspects of building a sustainable society.

Entertainment

B’DOS INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL BEGINS JANUARY 29TH

The 9th Barbados Independent Film Festival (BIFF) promises an unforgettable experience, showcasing 60 films from 20 countries over five days. Festival Director De Carla Applewhaite announced the theme, “Global Cinema,” during Monday’s media launch, highlighting the festival’s growth and its dedication to promoting Barbadian and international talent.

Applewhaite said, “”The Barbados Independent Film Festival this year has received over 350 entries. Ten from Barbados, 11 from Turkey, one from Estonia, ten from Canada, four from Trinidad and Tobago, Nigeria, Suriname, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, France, Russian Federation, Islamic Republic of Iran, Palestine, Hong Kong, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Bermuda and Curacao [have entered]. This year’s theme has defined itself as ‘Global Cinema’ as we feature work from literally around the world.”

She noted that this year’s festival was the largest yet since its inception, with 60 films scheduled to be shown over the course of five days from January 29th till February 2nd.
The festival will open on January 29 with a red carpet event at the Barbados Museum and wrap up on February 2 with the short-film showcase, Shorts On The Beach, at Southern Palms Hotel.
The festival will also spotlight The Roads We Travel, a short film by Barbados-born filmmaker Mary Cecilia Walker