Above: Grenada (CJ Photo)

By Dana Niland
CJ Contributor

Grenadian Culture Minister Senator Brenda Hood is visiting Los Angeles this week to promote the country’s film commission.

So far, she has met with American film actor Danny Glover, as well as many other industry players during her time in the city.

Earlier this year, Hood presented director of the Oscar-winning film Twelve Years A Slave Steve McQueen, who is of Grenadian heritage, with the Grenadian Independence Award.

McQueen had been visiting the island to do a video shoot for the 56th Venice Biennale 2015 International Art Exhibition, which is currently ongoing.

Hood’s visit to the United States represents a continued interest in film in Grenada.

Several other Caribbean islands have set a precedent of promoting their country’s film industry and culture.

In 2012, the governments of Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic established new economic incentives for film production in their countries.

That same year, Barbados Tourism Minister Richard Sealy called for the establishment of a film commission in Barbados, which he said “will give impetus to Barbados’ cultural tourism effort.”

The commissions seek to stimulate interest about their countries by showcasing their islands visually and culturally through film and offering incentives to film movies in their territories.