Jean Augustine, Canada’s first Black woman Member of Parliament and a champion of social justice, will celebrate her 87th birthday in a remarkable evening of film and music at the 19th annual CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF). The event, which will take place on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at the Harbourfront Centre Theatre, promises to be a night of cultural celebration, artistic excellence, and tribute to legends of the Caribbean diaspora.

“This is the third year we are hosting this celebratory night for Dr. Augustine, who is a national treasure,” said Festival Director Diana Webley. “We take this opportunity to showcase and honour those from the Caribbean diaspora who have risen to the same level of excellence in their chosen industry as Dr. Augustine.”

The highlight of the evening will be the screening of Iconography: Mungal Patasar, a documentary directed by Mikhail Gibbings and Teneka Mohammed. The film chronicles the life and work of Indo-Trinidadian musician Mungal Patasar, renowned for his unique fusion of the sitar and steelpan, blending Eastern and Western musical traditions. Patasar, who resides in Trinidad, will be present at the screening, accompanied by his pannist, Professor Harold Headly, for a special live performance.

Adding to the night’s festivities is the presentation of the 2nd annual Jean Augustine Excellence Award. This year, the prestigious award will be bestowed upon Eddie Bullen, a distinguished pianist, composer, arranger, and producer. Since emigrating from Grenada to Toronto in 1980, Bullen has become a prominent figure in the music industry, collaborating with Caribbean, Canadian, and American artists such as Byron Lee, Maestro, David Rudder, and Deborah Cox. His contributions to music have been extensive, including composing and arranging for television, radio, and film, and producing over 200 albums.

In a heartfelt moment, two-time Juno nominee and jazz artist Belinda Brady, who is also Bullen’s wife, will perform a tribute to her husband. The night will conclude with a reception and a toast to Dr. Augustine, celebrating her enduring legacy of advocacy and community service.

The event is not only a celebration of these icons but also a fundraiser for CaribbeanTales, a platform dedicated to uplifting Caribbean and African diaspora stories through the medium of film. This evening of celebration and cultural homage is set to be an unforgettable tribute to the influence and contributions of the Caribbean community in Canada.