Haitian Music and Movies: Industry or Illusion?

The session features five distinguished panelists:

- Farah Larrieux, Co-founder/Director at THÉLAR Management Group, LLC.
- Fritz Hyacinthe aka Fito Farinen, Entertainment Manager at Kai Musical Band.
- Raynald Delerme aka Baba, Haitian Filmmaker, Producer & CEO at Palenet Cellular.
- Robenson Lauvince, Haitian Filmmaker, Director & Founder of Clearshot Entertainment.
- Haitian Musician, Yvon Jerome

The panel will be moderated by Jean Julien, Haitian Cultural Advisor at the City of Boston.

🎥 Art Meets Economics

For decades, Haiti’s music and film sectors have flourished artistically yet struggled economically. Despite producing world-class talent, many Haitian creators face barriers in monetization, digital distribution, and institutional support. This panel seeks to uncover why these challenges persist — and, more importantly, how they can be overcome.

Panelists will share personal experiences navigating local and international markets, exposing the structural issues that prevent Haitian artists from scaling their work globally. Topics will include the need for modern copyright protections, investment in film production infrastructure, streaming access, and opportunities for cross-border collaboration within the Caribbean and diaspora.

As the global creative economy expands, this dialogue arrives at a critical moment. With the rise of streaming platforms, digital tools, and social media, Haitian artists have unprecedented potential to reach worldwide audiences — but realizing that potential requires coordinated action, business literacy, and visionary leadership.

🌍 The Cultural and Economic Stakes

“Haitian Music & Movies: Industry or Illusion?” isn’t just about art — it’s about identity, opportunity, and national pride. The panel will challenge stakeholders to see Haitian entertainment as more than culture — as commerce.

Speakers will discuss how shifting the mindset from performance to production can transform creative passion into lasting economic impact. They will highlight models from other small nations that have successfully built creative economies, showing that Haiti, too, can become a global hub for storytelling, rhythm, and innovation.

💡 A Call for Collective Investment

The Inaugural Haitian American Business Summit has positioned itself as a historic platform for these crucial conversations — connecting policymakers, investors, and creatives in one shared mission: to redefine Haiti’s economic narrative through innovation and collaboration.

This panel represents a cultural awakening — a call to the Haitian diaspora, entrepreneurs, and institutions to invest in the creative industries as engines for sustainable development and cultural diplomacy.

The Road Ahead

Whether illusion or industry, one thing is clear: Haitian creativity is boundless. What remains to be built is the infrastructure to sustain it — from fair compensation models to stronger partnerships between artists and businesses.

As this conversation unfolds at UMass Boston, it signals a new chapter in the ongoing story of Haiti’s artistic renaissance — one where vision meets action, and where cultural excellence becomes an economic force.

📰 Follow Haitian Globe for full coverage of the Inaugural Haitian American Business Summit and the 6th Annual Haitian American Young Professional Awards Gala.