Barbados cricket documentary wins $1M grant from NCF

Barbados’ cricketing heritage steps into the spotlight with Knock Them Down, a new feature documentary commissioned by the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) and produced by Digital Shark Inc.

 

Led by writer-director Claire Ince and producer Rivelino Simmons, the film was unveiled at the NCF’s West Terrace headquarters, where the duo were named winners of the NCF’s Cricket Film Competition.

 

The initiative invited local filmmakers to pitch projects celebrating the nation’s extraordinary contribution to the sport. Out of ten submissions, Knock Them Down emerged as the standout proposal, securing $1 million towards production.

 

According to Senior Business Development Officer André Hoyte, the competition was part of the Foundation’s ongoing drive to invest in the island’s film sector and showcase Barbadian excellence through film. “The objective was to use film as a vehicle to tell the story of Barbados’s impact on world cricket, and to do so with authentic Barbadian voices,” he explained.

 

Ince described the project as deeply personal and patriotic. “Knock Them Down is the story of how one small island shaped the cricket world,” she said. “It’s about how an elite colonial game became the people’s game, and how our players knocked down barriers of class and colour. It reminds us that even though we’re small, we’ve already changed the world.”

 

The documentary will feature voices and footage from cricketing nations, including England, South Africa, India and Australia, as well as archival material that traces Barbados’ influence on the evolution of the sport. It will also celebrate legends such as Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Desmond Haynes, Sir Wes Hall, Sir Charlie Griffith, Malcolm Marshall and Joel Big Bird Garner.

 

Producer Rivelino Simmons said the film is also designed to expand opportunities for local talent: “Through Digital Shark, we wanted to build not just a film but a global brand for Barbados. We’ve assembled a world-class team, with Barbadians leading in production, sound, and distribution, ensuring this story reaches audiences everywhere.”

 

Simmons credited the NCF for its sustained investment in creative industries. “They’ve helped to build the foundation of opportunity, knowledge and sustainability for future generations of filmmakers,” he said.

 

Joel Big Bird Garner, chairman of Cricket Legends of Barbados, endorsed the project, calling it vital for reconnecting young people to the island’s cricketing roots. “Cricket is what put us on the map,” he said. “We need to sell cricket back to the schools and the youth. It’s our legacy – what made us great.”

 

Production on Knock Them Down begins next month, with filming to take place across Barbados and internationally. The NCF says the project underscores its mission to position the island’s cultural industries as a major force on the global stage.

(LE)

 

 

The post Barbados cricket documentary wins $1M grant from NCF appeared first on Barbados Today.

Share the Post:

#LOUD

Music Submission

Fill out the form below, and we will be in touch shortly.
Contact Information
Upload & Submit