Bahamanian award-winning director/producer/writer Kareem Mortimer is known for his films Float II (2007), Children of God (2010) and Eleutheran Adventure (2006). His latest film Cargo (2017) about a Bahamanian gambler who turns to Caribbean human trafficking has been traveling to international film festivals and markets for the past year. The Annex handling international sales. 

I first met Kareem at the Aruba International Film Festival in 2013 where he screened his film Passage (2013). In an interview with him during the 2018 AFM, here is what he had to say:

You're a director, writer and you own a production company. Is it difficult to be creative and own a business at the same time?

KAREEM: Yes I am a co-founder in Best Ever Film with my producing partner Alexander Younis. I know no other way to exist in a creative field besides owning a business and shepherding my projects with the love that I put into it. The tricky part is being objective about the value of your project.

Can you tell us about your latest film Cargo? And how can audiences see it?

KAREEM: My latest film Cargo is a film about a simple fisherman who transforms into a prolific human smuggler to pay off a gambling debt. It has won four festival awards so far and it stars Warren Brown, Omar Dorsey, Gessica Geneus, Persia White and Jimmy Jean Louis. It is scheduled for release in several countries in 2019. So stay tuned.

Is it difficult to make films in the Bahamas or is there a healthy Caribbean film industry?

KAREEM: I think it's difficult to make films anywhere, the challenges for the Bahamas is a lack of infrastructure coupled with a very nascent industry makes it a bit more difficult than other countries, however it can be done and it is a beautiful location. The Caribbean Film industry is indeed blossoming.

You're also producing films of other writers and directors. What kinds of films are you looking for?

KAREEM: I look for films with conviction, it can take us a few years to bring a film from a script to the market and I need to know that 2,5 10 years down the road we still feel the same passion for the project at every stage in its life.

You recently attended AFM. Is it important for producers and filmmakers to attend international markets?

KAREEM: This is a business that honors great work but personal connections also go a long way. I think it is important for one's career to come out, meet people, network and establish a repoire with people who will be guardians of your film or future collaborators.

Can you tell us what you're working on next?

I am developing a couple of television projects and prepping Best Ever Films next feature. 

Interview by Vanessa McMahon