Black River Film Festival goes global

Building on success of its inaugural staging, the Black River Film Festival (BRFF) received 48 film entries this year, which is 29 more than last year, with submissions coming from as far as the Persian region.

The organisers stated in a press release that the festival’s global reach extends to the guests, with attendees travelling from Ghana, France, the UK, and beyond. The event is scheduled for Cloggy’s on the Beach in Black River, St Elizabeth, on June 27 and 28.

Festival organiser Ava Eagle Brown shared her excitement about BRFF 2025, highlighting that among the outstanding films lined up is a special project that she and her producers and directors, have been working on.

“It’s my first time stepping into producing, and I know it’s going to be an amazing experience.​ I am still inviting sponsors to come on board and support us, because unless we, like Ibrahim Traoré, commit to building our country and industry right here on our own soil, we will always be depending on others to make it happen for us,” Brown said in the release.

Among the international and regional figures who will be in attendance are Netflix USA series producer Samad Davis; USA film producers Angela White and Dolapo Erinkitola; French TV Channel, Canal+; Jamaica’s film commissioner Jackie Jackson; celebrated Nollywood actress Juliet Ibrahim; Director of Programming African Fiction Channels at Canal+ International, Cedric Pierre-Louis from France and Martinique; and popular British travel blogger Jetsetter Jackie.

Also present will be representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries. Reggae stars Duane Stephenson and Bugle will deliver special live performances on June 28.

Cedric Pierre-Louis, director of programming African Fiction Channels at Canal+ International, said that he was “thrilled” to participate in the film festival and “hopefully serve as a bridge between our region and the continent”.

“With 14 years of experience in this sector, I recognise immense opportunities for Jamaican filmmakers to collaborate and tap into the vibrant African market. There are numerous similarities and relatable realities between Jamaica and most African countries, particularly Nigeria, that make collaboration such a no-brainer. I am eager to learn from Jamaica’s film industry and contribute to a deeper understanding of the diverse and dynamic Sub-Saharan African storytelling sector,” Pierre-Louis said.

This will be the first trip to Jamaica for travel blogger, Jetsetter Jackie, who stated that “there’s no better reason to make this long-overdue journey than the inspiring Black River Film Festival”.

“I’m looking forward to immersing myself in the rich culture [and] connecting with brilliant creatives,’’ she said.

This edition of the Black River Film Festival is a celebration of stories, connections, and family fun. Festivalgoers can look forward to captivating film screenings from talented filmmakers worldwide, a distribution and co-production Forum where industry professionals can network and explore new opportunities, and artisan shops showcasing local craftsmanship, handmade goods, and delicious treats.