Young Jamaican filmmaker J.P. Williams has shot and released his second film Uhuru-A Christmas Story as a follow up to last year’s The 1938 Unrest.

This latest project saw Williams and his crew travel to Africa’s Tanzania where this story is set.

Williams spoke with Our Today about the genesis for this film.

“The idea germinated when I considered filming a unique Christmas story last year. At that time, I actualised a goal to go to Africa which was a most revealing trip.

“North America is saturated with film professionals and the process can become over regulated and time consuming furthermore many of those stories there have already been told.

“The Jamaican Consulate in Tanzania welcomed me and were gracious hosts and I would like to give a special mention to Betty Delfosse-Ingleton. We spoke for a couple of months and she was initially skeptical pointing out that Christmas is not celebrated the same way in Africa as it is in the West.”

Williams had to convince her that his story would focus primarily on family dynamics and the celebratory nature of Christmas rather than presents, parties and all the hoopla. Delfosse-Ingleton was eventually persuaded and suggested young Williams come for a month.

He arrived with a photographer and filmmaker intent on making his film. Once there, he was told that Tanzania was full of creatives and that there were plenty of professionals that could realise this project.

On November 12, work got under way with the producer meeting with the Film Board of Tanzania headed by its chairman, Dr Kiagho Kilonzo. Williams was placed in touch with at least 50 professionals ranging from sound, lighting audio, grips etc.

“Timing and getting together with the right people is so important. After three weeks we felt very comfortable and assembled a cast and team and were ready to shoot. We started shooting in a community called Morangu near the base of the Kilimanjaro mountain, located in Moski which is home to the Chaga tribe who celebrate Christmas.

“When they learnt we were Jamaican, they took us in, and I will never forget their hospitality. They cooked a goat whole and we drank banana beer. East African culture is very spiritual. The Chaga dancers were fantastic. I hope we went some way in building a bridge between Jamaica and Tanzania,” recalls the young filmmaker.

On completing shooting, Williams and his team went into the studio to put together the accompanying soundtrack. Five tracks were recorded and, at the same time, Tanzanian singer Carola Daniel Kinasha who played the role of Bibi.

Playing Yona was Mac-Donald Martin Haule while Laura Sheilla Inangoma was Nuru.

Williams will be submitting Uhuru-A Christmas Story to festivals.

Young filmmakers like J.P. Williams need to be supported here in Jamaica. All to often talent is scouted in Jamaica and developed overseas with Jamaica taking a lukewarm approach to the creative industries. Multi-national media companies like Netflix, Comcast, Disney, Warner-Discovery are enjoying a golden age of content and are on the hunt for talent.

Jamaica has filmmaking talent but it is hardly recognised and appreciated here.

William’s abilities and growth must be harnessed, and he has to be given support.

Williams will be releasing his next film later this year, the travelogue, Jamaica Nice, Man!