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Cathy SitaRam Is Featured Artist at Philadelphia Film Festival

Cathy SitaRam from St. Croix has been selected as the featured artist at the Urban Suburban Film Festival, June 24-26 in Philadelphia, Penn. She will showcase her winning commercials and documentary films. George Blackmon, the festival’s co-founder, praised SitaRam’s work saying, “After viewing several of Cathy’s films, I am convinced we are witnessing the maturation of a legendary filmmaker.”
She will be hosting the U.S. premiere of “The Heritage and Architecture of Saint Croix: A CHANT Walking Tour” at the Urban Suburban Film Festival. The film is the culmination of two years of work and represents a small part of the story of St. Croix. CHANT is committed to preserving and promoting the heritage and natural resources of St. Croix. Executive director of Crucian Heritage and Nature Tourism Frandelle Gerard is quoted as saying, “Working with Cathy Mae SitaRam has been inspiring and rewarding. Her attention to detail is evident in the quality of our film. Cathy worked with our limited budget to create a film that will become a part of St. Croix’s historical record.”
Cathy SitaRam has received numerous past awards and recognition for her work in the film industry. On May 2, the filmmaker was recognized in four categories at the 2011 ADDY Awards, an event sponsored by the American Advertising Federation of the U.S. Virgin Islands. The ADDY competition is annually the world’s largest and most comprehensive advertising competition. Representing the creative imaginations of the innovative age, the ADDYs recognize all forms of creative advertising talent.
With her multi-faceted abilities as a writer, film director, producer and editor on display, SitaRam won gold for her TV Program Design of “The Heritage and Architecture of St. Croix: A CHANT Walking Tour,” a 24-minute documentary DVD that she not only directed but edited as well. For the :60 TV awards, Cathy carried away the Silver ADDY for writing, producing, directing and editing “Indy Living,” a TV commercial for the Virgin Islands Association for Independent Living. Her third award was a Public Service TV Silver ADDY, for the Department of Human Services of the V.I. Government “ARRA Compliance,” written, directed and edited by Cathy.
Her work with another entrant, MLB Creative, also earned a Silver ADDY Award in the Multi-Media Consumer Campaign category for “June Jumbie Jackpot” – V.I. Lottery TV spot. Terri Brown of MLB Creative complimented her creative drive and said, “Cathy provided the magic for the spot. She patiently watched the clouds and waited for her shots…until the next day! Nothing keeps Cathy from getting her shot!”
Last year, she earned three Gold Addys including the coveted Excellence in Television Award.

She recently directed Scotiabank’s U.S. Virgin Islands commercial campaign. The "Just Ask" mortgage campaign started running early this year and will be eligible for award entry next year. Scotiabank’s Senior Marketing Manager Andrew Kresch is proud of the spot. "In my opinion it’s the best creative commercial currentl in the Virgin Islands. Mortgage applications have more than doubled what we had hoped for."
She graduated the University of Maryland with a distinction as a President’s Scholar. Born in Trinidad and raised in the Virgin Islands, she’s also worked in front of the camera as a news anchor and an on-air host for BET. For more information and to view some of her work, visit www.youtube.com/sfilmgroup or reach her team at cathy@heypennypictures.com.

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