Durrant Pate/Contributor

Limners and Bards Limited says its ‘Jenna In Law’ TV/web series has been officially selected to screen at the prestigious 2024 Essence Film Festival (EFF) this summer in New Orleans, Louisiana.

‘Jenna In Law’, directed by Jesane Jackson, tells the captivating story of Jennalicia Lawrence, a once-successful lawyer, who experiences a fall from grace. Seeking redemption, Jennalicia joins a struggling law firm, where she must navigate eccentric cases and personal turmoil while striving to resurrect her career and restore her tarnished reputation.

The EFF, organised in collaboration with Essence Studios, showcases exceptional original projects in film, television, music, and new media created by Black storytellers across the African diaspora. Anchored in the belief that Black stories deserve to be told in their full truth with the intent to disrupt the mainstream narrative, the film festival has built a movement that uplifts and normalized the Black global worldview in Hollywood by championing and empowering the artists at the forefront of this storytelling.

It represents is the ultimate gathering of global Black storytellers, and audiences seeking to discover these new voices and new perspectives. As the premiere destination for emerging global creatives and cultural curators alike, the festival presents dynamic content on international platforms. 

Production of first feature film now underway

The Jamaican-based advertising and creative company, which trades on the domestic stock market as ‘The LAB’ has commenced production on its first feature film, ‘Love Offside’, as scheduled.

‘Love Offside’ is a romantic comedy that aims to showcase the beauty of Jamaica as a filming location, while telling a compelling story that resonates with audiences worldwide. 

The film is written by Daneil Campbell, a captivating fiction writer celebrated for her enchanting romance novels, notably the beloved ‘Beauty and Jamaican Don’ series on Wattpad. With over 4 million readers worldwide, The LAB reports that Campbell’s work has garnered immense success. 

The main cast includes: Judi Johnson, Jamaican-born American actress, known for her roles in ‘Double Cross’, BET’s ‘A Wesley Christmas’, and ‘Once Upon a Time in the District’ and Mike Merrill, who starred as Martin Britton in Carl Weber’s BET+ original, ‘The Black Hamptons’ and appeared in CW’s sports drama series, ‘All American’, Starz’s hit crime drama ‘BMF’ and is part of the cast of Tyler Perry’s new film ‘Straw’, to be aired on Netflix. 

The other cast includes Victoria Rowell, Emmy nominee, known for her role as Drucilla in ‘The Young and the Restless’ and Dr. Amanda Bentley in the CBS medical crime drama ‘Diagnosis: Murder’; Sundra Oakley, an American actress known for ‘Legends’ (2014), ‘Big Hero 6’ (2014), ‘Perception’ (2012), and the movie ‘One Love’; Tosh Alexander, singer and Dennis Titus, known for his roles in ‘Black Cake’ and ‘Sprinter’. 

The LAB chairman Steven Gooden and chief executive Kimala Bennett say the company is, ”Actively engaging with international networks and digital streaming platforms to secure distribution opportunities for our content upon production completion. This proactive approach ensures that our creative endeavours have a suitable platform to reach global audiences.”