Christopher L. Mitchell- director

Christopher L. Mitchell is a Haitian-American photographer and director. He attended Pratt and F.I.T. He has been documenting Haiti in all its glory which has been his central focus since the mid 1990s, mostly in the form of still photography. In early 2000’s, he photographed child labor and women’s rights in Mali for UNICEF. He has documented the numerous facets of life in Haiti from photographing the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake for the Save The Children, and made music videos for Haitian Artists. However, when he decided to chronicle Jacmel’s Carnival, he knew the moving image would be integral to do it justice.

Christopher’s Hatian roots run deep, especially in Jacmel where his mother and her family are originally from and many of his relatives still live today. As a child, he would visit the city at least once a year and, as an adult, he chose to start his own family here in Jacmel. Through his personal connections to the city, he has had the rare opportunity to gain firsthand access to some of the unique individuals that contribute to Jacmel’s core essence. The annual Carnival captures the intricate history of Jacmel through its music, dance, costumes, and characters. However, cultural traditions are rapidly deteriorating in this modern, globalized world. Gentrification and a shortage of new historians interested in preserving Jacmel’s historical roots continue to threaten the city and its Carnival for future generations living in the digital realm. How are we to safeguard our exuberant history and traditions if no one is replacing the historians who keep that alive? His contribution is the documentary, Kanaval Jacmel.

He is also, working on a second documentary about vodou and the annual vodou ceremony that takes me in Gonaives, North of Haiti.

René Depestre

René Depestre is a Haitian writer born in Jacmel and revolutionary. He is one of the most important Haitian writers. He is best known for his novel, Hadriana in All my Dreams. His Interview in Kanaval Jacmel was his last interview.

Michaëlle Craan

She is born and raised in Jacmel. She is known as Mama Jacmel. She dedicated her life to tourism and culture of Jacmel. She is a major figure of Kanaval.

Michelet Divers

Michelet Divers was a historian and writer. He wrote about the history of Kanaval. He was also the director of the department of culture of Jacmel. He was also, a high school and university professor. He was interviewed before he passed away in 2017.

Jean-Elie Gilles

Jean- Elie Gilles is a teacher, historian and writer. He is the director of the first public university of Jacmel.

Hugues Paul

He was a former mayor of Jacmel.

Edo Zenny

He was a former mayor of Jacmel during the earthquake.