Watapana & Yellow Robin Award Ceremony + Surprise Film

Watapana Award:

As a tribute to Wilbert Tecla, director of the long-lost film Lanta para watapana — based on the iconic poem by the poet Henry Habibe — the CIFF decided in 2025 to establish an award for makers of compelling (short) films within the Caribbean Focus segment of the Festival. The Caribbean Focus segment has since attracted an overwhelming level of interest. The number of submissions has more than doubled compared to 2024. This represents a significant and promising development for the local and regional film sector. From the submissions received, 10 films have been selected to be judged by an independent jury. In addition to receiving a cash prize, the winning film will also be screened at two prestigious festivals that partner with the CIFF: the Morelia International Film Festival in Mexico, and Film by the Sea, in Vlissingen, the Netherlands.

Yellow Robin Award:

The Yellow Robin Award Competition was established in 2013 to provide a platform for emerging filmmakers from or working in the Caribbean and the Caribbean basin (including coastal Central and South America), as well as filmmakers from those countries living or working in the diaspora. This year marks the Award’s 10th edition with a larger selection of first or second feature films. The Yellow Robin Award offers an $8,000 USD First Prize. In addition, the winning film will be screened in 2026 at the Morelia International Film Festival in Mexico and at Film by the Sea in Vlissingen, The Netherlands.

Join us for the award ceremony and stay for the Surprise Film showcased after the ceremony, which is always one of the must sees of the festival