By Durrant Pate/Contributor

The Black River Film Festival (BRFF) 2025, which gets underway next weekend, is shaping up to be bigger and better with the endorsement of three key government agencies — Jamaica Tourist Board, CHASE Fund, and Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO).

Set for Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28, 2025 at Cloggy’s on the Beach, Black River, St Elizabeth, the event brings co-productions, film distribution and finance opportunities to Jamaica’s South Coast. The festival promises two exciting days of film screenings, panel discussions, master classes, networking, food, and musical treats.

The theme for the Black River Film Festival this year is ‘Co-Productions and Film Distribution. This forum aims to bridge the Caribbean with global film markets and will feature international film producers, distributors, and content executives from platforms such as Netflix (Samad Davis) and Canal+ International (Cédric Pierre-Louis). 

Festival details

The festival will include other local and international film industry leaders such as Jamaica Film Commissioner Jackie Jackson; USA film producers Angela White and Dolapo Erinkitola; Global Media Collaborations Champion Wendy Parkies from South Africa; and other creatives such as popular British travel blogger Jetsetter Jackie and Jamaican comedian and content creator Evy Royal. 

It also includes musical performances from Mutabaruka, as the resident DJ on day one. Duane Stephenson and Bugle will deliver special live performances on the final night. 

The focus on co-productions and distribution reflects a growing demand for cross-border collaboration in the global film industry; the Black River Film Festival aims to facilitate discourse on international partnerships, financing, and streaming platforms. 

From a competitive pool of 49 local and international film submissions, 15 were selected to vie for top prizes. Fifteen per cent of the CHASE Fund’s resources goes towards the arts and culture sector, and the Black River Film Festival is delighted to be an awardee. 

Endorsement articulated

In endorsing the event, Director of Tourism Donovan White said, “The Jamaica Tourist Board is proud to support the Black River Film Festival, which showcases Jamaica’s rich storytelling traditions while bringing well-deserved attention to the historic south coast region. This year’s focus on co-production and distribution positions Jamaica as a premier Caribbean film destination while advancing our strategy of geographic diversification in tourism.”

He added: “By spotlighting St Elizabeth’s authentic cultural experiences and stunning locations, the festival creates valuable international partnerships that will ultimately showcase Jamaica to global audiences, inspiring travellers to explore our beautiful island beyond the traditional hotspots.”

For his part, Chief Executive Officer, CHASE Fund, W Billy Heaven highlighted, “A vibrant local film industry can serve as a catalyst for development, providing opportunities for actors, directors, producers, and technicians to showcase their talent on the global stage. This Black River Film Festival is a great opportunity to leverage the experience of international film players who can help guide the creativity of our local talent. There is the educational value of the film festival; through screenings, master classes, and panel discussions, this event will provide invaluable opportunities for learning and growth for future generations of film-makers, educators, and enthusiasts, sparking curiosity and fostering a deeper appreciation for the art of cinema.”

JAMPRO reiterated its commitment to nurturing the Jamaican film ecosystem by backing bold, community-rooted initiatives such as the Black River Film Festival.

JAMPRO President Shullette Cox affirmed, “The resounding success of BRFF’s first year confirms what we’ve always known: Jamaican talent, wherever it resides, belongs on the world stage. We’re proud to champion initiatives like BRFF that promote cultural equity and fuel the growth of our creative economy across the island.”

 The Jamaica Film Commission, on behalf of JAMPRO, has endorsed the Black River Film Festival. 

For her part, Jamaica Film Commissioner Jackie Jackson adds, “I wholeheartedly commend Dr Ava Brown, founder of BRFF, for envisioning and building a vital space in rural Jamaica where film-makers are not only seen and heard, but truly valued. The Black River Film Festival has swiftly emerged as a beacon of industry exchange, creative discovery, and regional empowerment.”

The Black River Film Festival weekend wraps with a special edition of Unscripted Sundays, a relaxed, intimate beachfront script reading (perform by Jamaican actors). There will also be a networking event spotlighting unproduced Jamaican film and TV scripts, with global film distributors, members of the international press and other local and international creatives in attendance, on Sunday, June 29.

Founder and CEO of the Black River Film Festival Dr Ava Eagle Brown commented, “It’s one thing to have a vision, but to see it come to life with support is another thing. The support from our main sponsors, Jamaica Tourist Board and CHASE Fund, indicates [a] strong belief in the bedrock of rural Jamaica with a clear understanding that with teamwork, this industry can truly transcend one person’s vision and evolve into something that the entire ecosystem can benefit from.”