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‘Very loud statement’ – ‘Woman King’ director Gina Prince-Bythewood over Oscars shutout

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Viola Davis in TriStar Pictures' 'The Woman King.'

(CNN) — If you’re wondering why Gina Prince-Bythewood’s film “The Woman King” – which stars Oscar winner Viola Davis and garnered an A+ Cinemascore – was shut out of the Oscars race this year, you’re not alone.

In a first-person article for The Hollywood Reporter published on Tuesday, Prince-Bythewood reflected on the exclusion of her film by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the governing body responsible for the prestigious awards), which she says left her “disappointed.”

“But the Academy made a very loud statement, and for me to stay quiet is to accept that statement,” she wrote, adding that she rejects the term “snub” in reference to “The Woman King” because “a snub is if it missed out on a category or two” and her film “was not nominated for one single craft.”

Prince-Bythewood said that she “agreed to speak up, on behalf of Black women” who also had their work overlooked this year – like director Chinonye Chukwu and actress Danielle Deadwyler of “Till” – “and for those who haven’t even stepped on a set yet.”

She wrote that “The Woman King,” which is on track to pass $100 million at the global box office, not being nominated for any category is “a reflection of where the Academy stands and the consistent chasm between Black excellence and recognition. And, sadly, this is not just an issue in Hollywood but in every industry.”

The director – who was behind 2000’s “Love & Basketball” and 2020’s “The Old Guard” – also made reference to the controversy surrounding Andrea Riseborough’s surprise nomination for best actress, which some felt led to Davis being left out of the category.

“My issue with what happened is how people in the industry use their social capital – screenings in their homes, personal calls, personal emails, personal connections, elevated status,” Prince-Bythewood wrote. “People like to say, ‘Well, Viola and Danielle (Deadwyler, who was also did not earn a nomination) had studios behind them.’ But we just very clearly saw that social capital is more valuable than that.”

Riseborough’s eyebrow-raising nomination was held up by the Academy, following a review of the film’s celebrity-backed grassroots campaign.

Prince-Bythewood lamented that “there is no groundswell from privileged people with enormous social capital to get behind Black women. There never has been.”

For its part, the Academy has made efforts in recent years to expand and diversify its membership, following the uproar over #OscarsSoWhite and the movement spearheaded by April Reign.

In 2020, the Academy put in place a rule that movies must meet certain criteria in terms of representation in order to be eligible for the Academy Award for best picture beginning in 2024.

CNN has reached out to both representatives for Prince-Bythewood and the Academy for comment.

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More Than a Hike: VI Camping Reconnects Families with Virgin Islands Heritage

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What might begin as a simple hike often turns into something more — a meaningful journey of discovery, culture, and hands-on learning. That’s the experience VI Camping is creating through its Bayside Excursions, a growing initiative that’s helping families reconnect with the land and traditions of the Virgin Islands.

Founded and led by Island Experience Curator Dean Titley — a former educator who spent years teaching before retiring — VI Camping is more than just a recreational outing. It’s an immersive outdoor classroom designed to revive the traditional skills and knowledge that once shaped daily life in the BVI.

Each excursion blends low-impact hiking with cultural education. On Beef Island, participants follow a mostly flat trail through mangroves and striking rock formations before reaching “Honeycomb Cave,” a breathtaking natural structure dotted with stone pockets and tide pools — a place that sparks both exploration and quiet reflection.

“All our excursions have an educational component,” Titley said. “It’s about learning the traditional skills that helped our people live off the land—how to take out a conch, clean fish, make fire, and understand the environment that surrounds us.”

While not every activity happens on every outing, past trips have included everything from bow and arrow lessons to fish-cleaning demos and marine life observation — giving participants a taste of the islands’ natural richness and cultural depth.

Since launching earlier this year, VI Camping has hosted several small-group adventures, and the feedback from both parents and children has been overwhelmingly positive.

“We’ve only done a few trips so far, but the kids loved every moment,” Titley said. “They’re learning valuable skills while having fun — and more importantly, developing a connection to their heritage.”

The next Bayside Adventure takes place Sunday, April 27 at 8:00 a.m., departing from Beef Island. This family-friendly hike will focus on nature exploration and local storytelling, with the possibility of some interactive activities based on time and group size.

Participation costs $25 for children and $40 for adults, with a deposit required to confirm your spot. To register, contact 284-547-9984 or 284-547-3953 via WhatsApp.

For Titley, it’s about more than what’s discovered on the trail — it’s about what families take home.

“It’s not just about the hike,” he said. “It’s about legacy. We want these kids to grow up proud of where they’re from and confident in what they can do.”

As the Virgin Islands continue to attract sun-seekers and sailors from around the world, it’s efforts like VI Camping that keep the local heritage alive—one child, one hike, and one conch shell at a time.

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BVI Competes at Subzonal 2.3.3 Chess Championships in Trinidad and Tobago

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The British Virgin Islands is participating in the Subzonal 2.3.3 Absolute and Women’s Chess Championships, taking place from April 11 to 18 at the Cascadia Hotel and Conference Center in St. Ann’s, Trinidad and Tobago.

The tournament, sanctioned by the World Chess Federation (FIDE), brings together players from across the Caribbean and parts of Central America, including representatives from Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, The Bahamas, Barbados, Curaçao, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, and others.

Representing the BVI in the Absolute Section are Simon Potter and Jordan Hinds. In the Women’s Section, Alexis Ganigan and Tiandra Scatliffe are competing. The event is organized by the Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association in conjunction with the Confederation of Chess for the Americas (CCA).

The Subzonal tournament serves as a qualifier for future zonal and continental events under the FIDE calendar. According to the TTCA, this year’s competition includes nine rounds under classical time control and follows international pairing standards.

Updates and full standings are available via the official tournament website at chesstt.org.

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Premier Wheatley Presents Top Award at BVI Spring Regatta

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Premier Hon. Natalio D. Wheatley was on hand Sunday to present the Guy Eldridge Spirit of Enthusiasm Award to Jim Vos, skipper of Warthog, in recognition of his dedication to youth sailing in the Virgin Islands.

The award was one of the highlights of the final day of the 52nd BVI Spring Regatta, which wrapped up a week of racing on the waters of the Sir Francis Drake Channel.

While the early part of the week saw strong winds and challenging conditions, sailors were treated to classic Caribbean weather for the finale—sunny skies, steady breeze, and warm temperatures.

Despite the tough start, most crews found their rhythm and stayed consistent through the final races. The mix of international and local talent made for a strong showing across the board.

The regatta closed out with a lively celebration at the Regatta Village—sailors, supporters, and organizers coming together to toast another successful year on the water.

Full list of class winners:

  • Warthog – Jim Vos (ANT)

  • El Ocaso – Tony Mack (GBR)

  • Huey Too – Bernie Evan-Wong (ANT)

  • Bravissimo – Mike Feierabend (USVI)

  • Painkiller/Sea-Battical – Alice Martin (USA)

  • Jitterbug – Dr. Robin Tattersall (BVI)

  • La Novia – Georges Coutu (DOM)

  • Layla – Andrew Anne (GBR)

  • Ting A Ling – Graham Harney (BVI)

  • Cricket – Sandy Mair (BVI)

  • Flying Jenny – Sandy Askew (USA)

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