ECNETNews, March 26, 2025: Trinidad-born actress Lorraine Toussaint, renowned for her powerful portrayal of Aunt Vi on CBS’s acclaimed series The Equalizer, is set to showcase her star power, mentorship, and Caribbean pride at the 2nd Annual Cross Continental Forum (CCF) in Barbados, occurring from June 14-18, 2025.
Toussaint will join a distinguished roster of Black creatives, including acclaimed filmmaker Ava DuVernay and Booker Prize-winning Jamaican author Marlon James, at this groundbreaking event centered on Decolonizing Co-Production for Black Filmmakers. The Forum, led by the CaribbeanTales Media Group, is becoming a vital platform for transforming the global media landscape through Black storytelling and collaboration.
As an award-winning actress, producer, and educator, Toussaint will serve as a mentor throughout the five-day forum, supporting and guiding participants from the Caribbean and the diaspora. She will also participate as a celebrity juror for the forum’s “Big Pitch,” alongside DuVernay.
From her Emmy-nominated role in Orange is the New Black, for which she received a Critics Choice TV Award, to standout performances in Law & Order, Saving Grace, and The Fosters, Toussaint has established herself as a formidable presence on screen. Her return to the Caribbean for this forum highlights her dedication to nurturing Black talent and giving back to the community that influenced her career.
“Lorraine brings a unique blend of brilliance, authenticity, and generosity that will greatly enhance this platform,” remarked Frances-Anne Solomon, CEO of CaribbeanTales Media Group and founder of the CCF. “Her presence from start to finish will be a significant benefit for all participants.”
The CCF 2025 is supported by various global partners, including the Canada Media Fund, British Film Institute (BFI), Invest Barbados, University of the West Indies (Cave Hill), and the National Cultural Foundation of Barbados. The forum aims to foster meaningful co-productions between Black and global majority creatives from Canada, the Caribbean, the UK, Africa, and beyond.
Joining Toussaint, Guyanese-born actress and activist CCH Pounder, known for her work in Avatar and NCIS: New Orleans, will participate as head of the CCF Steering Committee. James, author of A Brief History of Seven Killings and co-creator of the Jamaica-shot Netflix series Get Millie Black, will also contribute as a panelist, sharing valuable insights from his extensive experience.
Producers interested in attending the 2025 Cross Continental Forum can submit their applications until March 31, 2025. For more information, visit ccf2025.com.
