Jamaican stories take center stage at inaugural Caribbean Film Awards
Key Points(5)
- The inaugural Caribbean Film Awards are set to take place Saturday, Oct.
- 10, 2026, at Theatre N in Wilmington, Delaware, with Jamaican talent and stories making a notable impact among the nominees.
- The organizers say the awards are designed to elevate Caribbean cinema and give its stories a premier platform on the global stage.
- Leading the nominations are the films Homage and Threads of Us , with nine nominations apiece.
- Other recognized productions include Stew Peas , Unbelievable and Jafaican .
The inaugural Caribbean Film Awards are set to take place Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Theatre N in Wilmington, Delaware, with Jamaican talent and stories making a notable impact among the nominees.
The awards, created to celebrate excellence in Caribbean filmmaking and provide greater visibility for Caribbean stories and creatives, will bring filmmakers, actors, directors, writers, producers and other industry professionals together for a red-carpet celebration of the region's growing cinematic influence. The organizers say the awards are designed to elevate Caribbean cinema and give its stories a premier platform on the global stage.
Leading the nominations are the films Homage and Threads of Us, with nine nominations apiece. Other recognized productions include Stew Peas, Unbelievable and Jafaican.
Several nominated productions feature Jamaican creatives, performers and subjects. Among the Jamaican-linked productions attracting attention is Unbelievable, which features veteran Jamaican dancehall deejay and actor Spragga Benz.
Stew Peas, a highly acclaimed film that sold out its debut at Carib Theatre in Kingston, features media personality Chiney K. The film is also among the nominees for the Emerging Filmmaker Award, a category created to recognize the next generation of Caribbean cinematic voices.
But perhaps the most powerful Jamaican presence at the inaugural awards comes through the documentary category, where two productions turn the camera toward important chapters of Jamaica's history, identity and social landscape.
Peter Tosh Town: Origin of a Rebel Wailer has been nominated for Best Documentary, bringing the life and legacy of one of Jamaica's most influential musical figures to the awards stage.
Narrated by Andy Livingston and directed in part by Tosh's daughter, Niambe, the documentary explores the extraordinary journey of Peter Tosh, tracing his beginnings in Belmont, Westmoreland, his rise as a member of The Wailers and his evolution into a formidable solo artiste known around the world as the Steppin' Razor.
Also nominated for Best Documentary is Beach Inna Bondage: The Fight for Jamaica's Coastline, a production that shifts the focus from musical history to a contemporary battle over Jamaica's natural resources and public spaces.
Directed by Emiel Martens and Elsie Vermeer, in collaboration with JaBBEM and reggae artiste Keznamdi, the documentary chronicles the grassroots movement to reclaim public access to Jamaica's beaches.
The film gives a platform to communities fighting to protect access to the coastline while exploring broader questions surrounding Jamaica's cultural heritage and the right of citizens to enjoy the country's natural treasures.
The awards will recognize achievements across categories including Caribbean Film of the Year, Best Feature Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Documentary, Best Short Film, Best Original Soundtrack, Best Costume & Fashion in Film and Best Cultural Representation in Film, among others. New categories for 2026 include Best Caribbean Music Video and the Emerging Filmmaker Award.
The ceremony will be held at Theatre N, an independent art-house cinema in downtown Wilmington, with the red carpet scheduled to open at 8 p.m. and the awards beginning at 9 p.m.
A special Indo-Caribbean performance by Nadia is also scheduled as part of the evening's program.
