Anybody who knows me, is very aware of the fact that me nuh like go Jamaican countryside. I have everything I need within a two mile radius unless I’m heading to the airport. So imagine when I met Dr. Ava Eagle Brown, the Founder of Black River Film Festival and her spirit tek to me, plus she loved my Short movie “Fab 4 and the Silent Retreat.” I was even more thrilled when she asked me to judge the Youth Festival in February 2025, except that she wanted me to attend in person and to address the students, which meant a 3 hour drive to St. Elizabeth. Errr….excuse? Me nuh usually step foot past Liguanea. Trying to get out of it didn’t work because she arranged for someone to pick me up at 6a.m. and a different person to take me back to town at 3p.m…so not only was I doing a day-trip to this far far place but I’m at the mercy of drivers who I’ve never met. Anyway…that’s why we pray, amirite?…and trust me…that I did, because the first leg nearly kill me. The speed with which de sistren was driving while singing at the top of her lungs, windows down…well I never. As usual, made it there safe and sound (coz God naw sleep) despite my heightened blood pressure, and was subsequently spoilt rotten by Ava.
Seat at the head table with other speakers/panelists, introduction to fellow filmmakers, lunch and refreshments, addressing the students as Head Judge, giving out Prizes and offering free Screenwriting consultations were all an absolute delight. The drive back was not as frightening (maybe because there was more traffic on the highway to slow us down) but still a bit nerve-wracking. Nevertheless I made it home and lived to tell the tale, and despite my anxiety I’m still grateful I made new friends in the industry, got to encourage young up-and-coming film students and stepped out of my comfort zone.
Well it never done dey so.
Cut to three months later in June, when it’s time for the Adult version of the Festival. I was featured as one of the many international guest speakers (hail dual-citizenship) and Ava spread my face across all platforms and on marketing material. On this occasion, I had to figure out transportation on my own and was looking at Knutsford Express options which didn’t work with the time my panel was scheduled to begin. I thought maybe I’ll have to miss it but my sistren Suzanne, who used to be the Film Commissioner said “not a chance” and off we went at 11a.m that Saturday morning, in her non-air conditioned but “trusted-never-failed-me-yet” car speeding down the highway. Although hot and sweaty, we arrived at Cloggy’s on the Beach (which was a lovely location), cooled off by the bar and had a drink. My Fireside Chat on “Co-production Opportunities” was slotted for 3pm so I figured Suzanne and I had enough time to get back home before nightfall. I met the other panelists from Jampro Film Office, Netflix and Canal Plus along with my new bestie True, who was Moderator.
However, due to a last minute change in the programming, we didn’t take the stage until 7pm…so I was now a little distracted and fretting about the 3 hour drive back to town in the dead of night. I tried to speak with some authority about my Co-production initiatives and multi-cultural storylines currently in Development (see Projects) but I was too nervous about the time. When the conversation shifted to Marketing and Distribution, I blanked and only the next day did I think of something meaningful I should’ve share….but in the moment I was too worried about Suzanne falling asleep at the wheel. We left immediately afterwards, so I didn’t get a chance to continue the conversation with any of my fellow panelists or exchange contact info. Despite a wrong turn along the way, and being nearly run off the pitch-black road by mega-size trucks, we arrived back home just before midnight.
So once again…I did it afraid, and I stepped out of my comfort zone, made friends, shared knowledge and lived to tell the tale. Whether Ava invites me back to participate or I just attend to support her and the Festival, now I’ll be slightly less scared and will definitely make proper transportation and accommodation arrangements way ahead of the dates.