HAMA: “A Cultural Cinematic Revolution”
HAMA the husband and wife team of Howard and Mitzi Allen has been called the most prolific filmmakers in the Eastern Caribbean producing three feature films in only four years.
In 2001 HAMA Productions became the first indigenous company in the Eastern Caribbean to produce a feature length film with the release of “The Sweetest Mango” a romantic comedy. This was followed immediately in 2002 with their second feature film “No Seed” a political drama. Both films have since made their world television premiere on CaribVision, the Caribbean Media Corporation’s (CMC) cable channel, which is seen in 21 countries in the Caribbean and on DirecTV in the US. Their third film Diablesse based on Caribbean Folklore was released in 2005.
Howard, who started out as a video engineer with a cable company in Antigua and Barbuda and Mitzi as a broadcast journalist in Toronto, Canada, teamed up as independent film and television producers 16 years ago. Howard the “storyteller” produces, writes and directs. Mitzi is the managing director and producer.
With more than 20 years experience in television the couple has produced dozens of television programmes and documentaries including the widely distributed children’s television programme Pet Playhouse funded by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and the teenage talk show “Teen Talk” for the Antigua and Barbuda AIDS Secretariat.
Through their own body of work and their collaboration with other independent producers, the couple recently launched their own cable channel HAMA TV on Karib Cable in Antigua & Barbuda. HAMA’s vision is to showcase Caribbean art and culture.
Currently in development is HAMA’s fourth film “The Skin” which is scheduled for release in 2010. This will be on the heels of the completion of a 13-part drama series “Paradise View”. HAMA TV was the recipient of a Small Project Award for the development of HIV/AIDS programming from the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV (CBMP/HIV). Funding and management support for the CBMP/HIV Small Project Awards Program is provided by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
I am happy to have found your blog. In 2004, I visited Antigua for the “Islands in Between” conferences. We had the opportunity to see “The Sweetest Mango” which I bought a copy. Unfortunately mine got damaged when the house was being reconstructed and I wish to have again a copy of such excellent movie. Is there still opportunity of purchasing a copy of such film jewel?
Congratulations on all you,re hard work and dedication to each other and you’re accomplishments. Thank God you deserve it.
Wow that is truly fantastic!!!