ACP-JAM-BIO

Bio: Steve  McAlpin, A world renowned poet, writer and filmmaker, Steve “Tehut-Nine” McAlpin was born in Kingston, Jamaica. As a filmmaker he is the classic example of an autodidact. His love for movies and storytelling inspired him to learn the art and creative process of filmmaking through voracious reading and studies of the masters as he calls them, i.e. Spike Lee, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, Brian De Palma, Oliver Stone, Alfred Hitchcock, Michael Mann, etc.

In 2005 Tehut wrote, directed and produced his first feature-length film, “FOREIGN”, a comedy about a Jamaican immigrant’s adjustment to life in New York. Shortly after Foreign's release, Tehut began working on his second film “BASHMENT: The Fork in The Road” which received rave reviews. On July 22, 2007 the Jamaica Sunday Gleaner wrote, "Credit the talented Steve "Tehut-Nine" McAlpin...Bashment outpaces many Jamaican-made films that have come before. The drama and intrigue make it take a back seat to none, not even the classic THE HARDER THEY COME. It compares more favorably with films by Black American Spike Lee."

Bio:Ras Kassa, As a young boy growing up on the gritty streets of Kingston, director, Ras Kassa admired the many talents his country spawned; in particularly, Bob Marley and Perry Henzell. In perhaps one of those kismet moments Ras Kassa a.k.a. The Guru is now one of the talents many Jamaican kids are looking up to. As The Guru Films Chairman and Senior Director who is ironically based in Perry’s old office and responsible for most of the Marley families most successful videos to date!

The Jamaica Tourist Board saws it as a subversive and a negative image of the island – and a juxtaposition to the beautiful beach and sun image of their media campaign. The influence of this gritty docu-style genre opened the flood gates for a tidal wave of music videos depicting the garrison life. Three years on, and the video is still studied in universities, and has over one million plays on YouTube. .