Anthony Hylton—
KINGSTON, Jamaica –
Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Anthony Hylton, has announced plans to construct a film studio in St Thomas, Jamaica.
Hylton said that negotiations are far advanced for the lease of the 20-acre former Goodyear Factory and complex, near Morant Bay in the eastern parish, as the site for the film lot.
According to Hylton the lot will have multiple stages, outputting at Hollywood standards.
“A Hollywood studio has agreed to provide oversight on the project,” Hylton said during his contribution to the 2014/15 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, today (Wednesday, May 21).
He added that the group, Real Vibez, is also in discussion with a leading music and film production school in the United States of America, to build a campus at the lot.
Hylton further revealed that a deal to produce five films has already been signed with film producer Steven Paul, who produced the films ‘Ghost Rider’ and ‘Baby Geniuses’.
Hylton said that his Ministry is in the process of reforming the National Industrial Policy to broaden the focus from trade in goods, services and commodities, to place greater emphasis on high-tech and knowledge services, focusing on design and intellectual property.
The minister added that the Government, through his Ministry and the Jamaica Intellectual Property Office (JIPO), is committed to ensuring the highest level of Intellectual Property protection for the Jamaican creative and cultural industries and to stimulate growth of the sector.
