Writer and director J.P Williams is a name that is beginning to garner attention in Jamaica’s film industry.

In an exclusive interview with Our Today, Williams shared insights into his latest release ‘BLV‘, inspirations, the state of Jamaica’s film industry and more.

Williams, who wrote and directed ‘BLV‘, his third project, describes the film as deeply personal.

“BLV started when I was born,” he said. “I think my purpose is to be a visual storyteller. Coming from a Jamaican background, the film wasn’t always seen as a practical career choice.”

Only in his mid-twenties, Williams is already pushing boundaries with his big dreams and expectations for himself, determined to break through the constraints of the Jamaican film industry, bringing fresh perspectives and a passion that he hopes will etch his legacy as the storyteller of untold narratives. With three short films in three years, it is clear that he has a lot to say to the masses and is wasting no time to that end.

The making of BLV

The film, which was produced around the time of Williams’s graduation from the New York Film Academy, reflects his journey and the challenges of pursuing an unconventional career path. “I thought it was important to tell a story that meant a lot to me but could also inspire others in similar situations—not just filmmakers, but anyone following an untraditional path.”

Fortuitously, Williams won the Audience Choice award at the FilmGood Film & Wellness Festival in Los Angeles for BLV on his graduation day.”You can’t plan that… that to me speaks testament of alignment…it is a really special feeling.”

Williams credits his upbringing for shaping his perspective, explaining how support from his parents played a pivotal role, even if they didn’t fully understand his passion for filmmaking initially. “Through this film, they truly got a sense of what it means to be a filmmaker,” he said.

Reflecting on his earlier works, including ‘1938 Unrest‘ and ‘Uhuru‘, Williams spoke about lessons learned. “The biggest takeaway for me was the importance of the script,” he said. “When I did ‘1938 Unrest‘, there was no dialogue, which worked for that experimental approach. But when I worked on ‘Uhuru‘ in Tanzania, I realised the critical role of a well-crafted script, especially when language barriers exist.”

He also elucidated the importance of having a good crew and cast when making films, and thanked his team for their hard work and support during the process of making BLV.

“My crew was exceptional…it was amazing.”

Williams spent six months perfecting the script for ‘BLV‘. He noted the process involved finding the right perspective to connect with audiences while maintaining the story’s integrity. “It’s a lot of work, but I love it. I wouldn’t want to do anything else,” he said.

Influences and storytelling focus

Drawing inspiration from directors such as Jamaican director, Perry Henzell, and American directors Spike Lee and Martin Scorsese, Williams strives to combine experimental grit with traditional storytelling. His focus remains on telling authentic stories rooted in Jamaica and Africa.

“There are so many untold stories from these regions,” he said. “The history is rich, and the potential is immense.”

Williams also highlighted the intimate connection between BLV and his personal history. “We shot at my grandmother’s house, a place where I spent a lot of time growing up. Reliving those memories while filming was special,” he said. One line of dialogue, “I’m starting to see the vision,” was inspired by his father’s real-life words during production.

Jamaica’s burgeoning film industry

When asked about Jamaica’s film industry, Williams expressed optimism but emphasised the need for better infrastructure and resources. He also mentioned the plethora of untold stories within the Jamaican and African lived experiences that the local film industry has yet to explore.

Williams hopes to be the one to put them all on-screen one day.

“There’s so much talent here, and the world loves Jamaica. With the right facilities and support, we could see a major boom in the creative space,” he said. “Entertainment is already a part of our culture. It’s not just an outlet—it’s a way of life.”

Future endeavours

When asked if he would be partnering with local writers and directors, Williams declared that he is open to collaborations. He also said that he was already thinking about his next film, and though he was in no hurry to ruin the plot for his audience, he did reveal that it would likely be a feature-length film this time around.

Through making ‘BLV‘, and his earlier works, Williams has become distinctly intent on not only making his name in the industry but challenging himself, producing films that will stand the test of time and propel Jamaica’s brand to even bigger heights through his films.

With a deep passion for storytelling, confidence in his vision, and alignment with Jamaican and African narratives, Williams seems destined to leave a lasting impact.

“The possibilities are endless,” he said. “And I’m just getting started.”

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