By Samantha Simon
Four distinguished Antiguans and Barbudans were honoured during the Governor General’s Faithful and Meritorious Service Awards ceremony yesterday, recognising outstanding achievements in arts, culture, and humanitarian service.
The honorees included pioneering filmmakers Howard and Mitzi Allen, social transformation advocate Mary John, and community humanitarian John Jacob Oakland Lloyd Swift II.
The ceremony highlighted the remarkable contributions of filmmaking duo Howard and Mitzi Allen.
Howard Allen, awarded The Cross, was recognised for his innovative filmmaking work, including “The Sweetest Mango,” the Eastern Caribbean’s first indigenous feature film, and was recently appointed Grand Officer of the Most Precious Order of Princely Heritage by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda in 2023 for his contributions to tourism and education.
Mitzi Allen, his partner in life and business, received The Gold Medal for her ground-breaking career in broadcast journalism and production, which began at CFTO TV (CTV Canada) where she broke barriers as the station’s first Black reporter.
After relocating to Antigua and Barbuda, she continued her media career before co-founding HAMA Productions with Howard in 1992.
In their post-ceremony interview, the couple reflected on their 32-year partnership in both marriage and media.
“We don’t compete with each other, we complement each other,” Howard explained, attributing their success to this dynamic.
Mitzi added that their collaboration has been “a tremendous joy,” noting how they balance each other’s strengths, with Howard’s creativity complemented by her practical approach.
The Allens’ latest environmental film, “Deep Blue,” has garnered significant recognition, including a notable review in the Journal for Environmental Studies.
“We want to change minds one screening at a time,” Mitzi shared, while Howard noted that the film continues to receive invitations for screenings “basically around the world.”
Speaking to aspiring filmmakers, Mitzi emphasised the importance of authenticity: “If you love it, first of all, don’t get into it because it looks glamorous.”
She particularly encouraged young women to recognise that “our stories have to be told from a female perspective.”
Howard echoed these sentiments, stressing the importance of dedication and continuous learning: “No job was too simple, no job was beneath me, everything I did, I enjoyed doing.”
Mary John was presented with The Silver Medal for Community and Charitable Work in Social Transformation.
In her interview, John dedicated the award to “those suffering with the disease of drug and alcohol addiction, the homeless, the abused, the dispossessed, the abandoned and forgotten.”
She expressed profound gratitude to His Excellency and the committee for “acknowledging my efforts, for seeing me, my work and my worth.”
John paid special tribute to her mother, Marcella John, whose “faith and resilience”, which now drives her to help others escape “the clutches of certain destruction.”
Her work has directly impacted lives, including supporting four young men who have now embraced lives of sobriety.
Having overcome addiction herself in 2003, John established the Mary John Transformation of Lives Incorporated Foundation, expressing hope that the recognition would help secure international funding for her charitable work.
His Excellency, Sir Rodney Williams, Governor General of Antigua and Barbuda, presided over ceremony alongside Sandra Lady Williams, the Governor General’s Goodwill Emissary and Founder at The Halo Foundation.
Did I miss part of the article? It didn’t mention what Mr Swift contributed?