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UK (THE GUARDIAN)

Jamaica’s film industry gets boost from new funds and global collaborations Black River film festival brings together US, European and African producers and directors to explore partnerships with local film-makers Natricia Duncan in St Elizabeth, Jamaica Sun 29 Jun 2025 15.22 BST Share

UK (THE VOICE)

THE BLACK River Film Festival 2025 wrapped up its dynamic two-day program with British filmmaker Sofian Francis dominating the awards, taking home five honours for his short film Dante’s Inferno – The Ascension. The festival successfully achieved its mission of

TORONTO CARIBBEAN

Audiences were captivated by the gripping and visually striking Dante’s Inferno – The Ascension, starring British actor and stuntman Sofian Francis who is of Barbadian descent. The film earned the most accolades of the night, winning Best Sound, Best Editing, Best Cinematography,

Black River Film Festival début makes way for aspiring filmmakers

Bob Marley: One Love’ actor, Cornelius Grant (front) joins in on a quick photo op with (from left) Danica Robinson-Liles, co-founder of West End Studios; actress and producer Sundra Oakley; film commissioner Jackie Jackson; comedian Angie Le Mar and content creator, Juliet ‘Julie Mango’ Bodley.

Kwame McPherson, overseas actors for Black River Film Fest

Fade to black is a term used in film making to refer to a transition from colour to total blackness. And come June 29 to 30, persons will be fading to Black River for days two and three of the inaugural Black River Film Festival, at Cloggy’s on the Beach at Crane Road.

New Black River creative arts centre to push youth in film production

Out of the vibrant Black River Film Festival has come an exciting new initiative, Delroy Slowley Creative Arts Centre, to create new opportunities for growth and the long-term development of youth in film production. Launched by St Elizabeth North Eastern Member of Parliament Delroy Slowle, the centre is poised to

JAMAICA GLEANER

Following the resounding success of the Black River Youth Film Festival, which showcased the incredible creativity of young film-makers, the main festival is set to take centre stage on June 27-28, 2025 at Cloggy’s On The Beach, Black River, St Elizabeth.

SOUTH FLORIDA (SFCN)

The highly anticipated Black River Film Festival submission date has been extended to April 30th 2025 for filmmakers across Jamaica and beyond. Following the resounding success of the Black River Youth Film Festival, which showcased

JAMAICA OBSERVER

The Black River Youth Film Festival will host its second staging on February 21 at the St Elizabeth Technical High School in Santa Cruz. As part of its mission to foster young creative talent in Jamaica, the festival continues to provide a platform for youth film-makers between the ages of 14 and 18 years old

JAMAICA GLEANER

Member of Parliament (MP) for St Elizabeth North East Delroy Slowley has given 14 talented youngsters the opportunity to write, direct and even act in their first movie, under the newly established Creative Arts Centre. Making his presentation during the State of the Constituency Debate in Parliament on Tuesday, Slowley urged support for the youth.

JAMAICA INFORMATION SERVICE

The auditorium at the St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in Santa Cruz came alive with excitement on December 13 as 14 young filmmakers premiered their first movie, a 15-minute short film titled ‘The Take Down’. The film involved a group of friends dealing with betrayal and is hailed as a groundbreaking initiative that is bringing the Hollywood dreams to rural Jamaica.

UK ( THE VOICE )

Ava Brown, was born in Jamaica and is the founder of the Black River Film Festival (BRFF), which aims to celebrate grassroots films about the rich and diverse culture of the Caribbean island. Now in its second year, the festival will take place in the parish of St Elizabeth – which will boost tourism in rural communities –

JAMAICA INFORMATION SERVICE (JIS)

Local content creators looking to break into the film industry are being encouraged to dedicate themselves to thorough preparation and research. Film Commissioner at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Jackie Jackson, gave the advice while participating in a panel discussion during the recent staging of the Black River Film Festival held at Cloggy’s on the Beach in the St. Elizabeth capital.

JAMPRO ENDORSEMENT

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JAMPRO ENDORSEMENT

JAMAICA INFORMATION SERVICE

Bob Marley: One Love actor endorses Black River Film Festival

CURATORS & ORGANIZERS

Dr Ava Eagle Brown
Organizer
Wentworth Kelly
Curator
Soessia Nixon Kelly
Curator

SPONSORS