Durrant Pate/Contributor

The government-sponsored Jamaica Screen Development Initiative (JSDI) is leading a revival of the country’s film sector, which is currently witnessing significant activity taking place. 

Daughters of the Dancehall Queen is among the projects receiving production support through the JSDI, established to strengthen Jamaica’s screen industries and increase the creation of high-quality Jamaican content capable of competing internationally.

In addition, The LAB Studios’ Jamaican-made feature film Love Offside has been among the recent projects supported through the Initiative, forming part of a growing slate of Jamaican and Caribbean content being developed for local and international audiences.

Veteran Jamaican writer, actor and filmmaker Tony “Paleface” Hendriks has received JSDI development funding for two feature-film projects, The Lightning Bird and Wood and Waters, supporting the critical work required to move screen stories from concept and script toward production.

In addition, the initiative was instrumental in Jamaica hosting the production of the five-part supernatural thriller Possession, directed by Jamaican filmmaker Storm Saulter and produced by Snowed-In Productions in association with Sky Studios, with the Jamaican production partner being Cinecom Productions. 

This project was approved under the JSDI Production Rebate programme and employed more than 140 Jamaican crew members, while also incorporating professional training and international shadowing opportunities.

This activity forms part of a wider national effort to establish film and television not only as vehicles for Jamaican culture and storytelling, but as industries capable of generating employment, exports and economic activity.

Launched in 2024 with a $1-billion allocation, the JSDI provides support across development, production, completion, festival and market attendance, marketing and distribution, as well as production rebates. 

In July 2025, the Government announced that $668 million had been approved for local film productions benefiting 91 creative-sector MSMEs. By March 2026, $315 million had been disbursed through the Jamaica Screen Fund.