There are many excellent short films on Belize, on both the natural world and cultural issues. Look up Richard and Carol Foster’s Path of the Rain Gods and Channel 5’s The Sea of Belize and The Land of Belize. Then tune in to www.trphoto.blip.tv, which has some gorgeous educational shorts on Belize; these would be excellent for families to watch together before or after their trip to Belize.

Punta Soul is a 2008 documentary film produced and directed by Nyasha Laing, a Belizean who wanted to tell the story of Garifuna music as it evolved with the Garifuna people’s journey from the Caribbean islands to Central America. Laing addresses how the rhythms continue to influence the cultural revival of the ethnic communities in Belize. Learn more at www.parandamedia.com or buy the DVD at the Image Factory in Belize City.

Three Kings of Belize is a 2007 film by Katia Paradis. Three Kings is a beautiful, poignant tribute to Belizean musicians Paul Nabor, Wilfred Peters, and Florencio Mess, who represent Garifuna, Creole, and Mayan music traditions, respectively. Though their music is internationally recognized, they live humble lives in Belizean villages. The film moves at the slow, relaxed pace of Belize itself. To find a copy, go to the Image Factory in Belize City, or contact Stonetree Records.