What it Means to Have Sugar Dumplin in the American Black Film Festival

Having Sugar Dumplin officially selected for the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is nothing short of a dream come true. When I first envisioned this project, I always saw it being a part of the ABFF. It’s kind of wild to say that, considering I’m a Black Canadian filmmaker—a rare species, at that—who is more focused on sharing my work abroad than at home. The truth is, for the past ten years, my work has been accepted and celebrated in meaningful ways outside of Canada. I’m not sure if it’s the type of stories I tell or the way I tell them, but they don’t seem to resonate as powerfully back home as they do elsewhere.

This became especially clear to me when I screened my film Wallflower. It had a strong festival run, but never made it to Canadian audiences. This disparity left the writers and me stumped. How could we create something of this quality, independently no less, and not even get a peep from any media, film organizations, or broadcasters in Canada? Then we got into the ABFFs, and everything clicked into place.

When I went to the ABFF in 2023 with Wallflower, it introduced me to Black storytelling on an international level. We weren’t just invited to the party—we were the party. The flavor, the whole vibe—it was unapologetic, fierce, and frankly, everything I needed to understand why my stories weren’t embraced in Canada.

Which brings me to Sugar Dumplin getting into the 2025 American Black Film Festival. To have this film—rooted in Jamaican and Caribbean culture—celebrated on an international platform with a focus on Black storytelling is both humbling and empowering. For our film to be acknowledged as valuable enough to be a part of this incredible collection of films means everything to us.

This selection is more than just an opportunity to showcase the film; it’s a celebration of the power of representation. Sugar Dumplin tells the story of a father and daughter reconnecting through food, memories, and love—an intimate portrayal of family and culture that speaks to universal themes of healing and reconciliation. To have it acknowledged at ABFF—one of the premier film festivals celebrating Black talent—is an affirmation of the importance of these stories in shaping the future of film.

As a filmmaker, this moment is deeply significant, not only for me but also for the Caribbean community and the broader Black storytelling movement. For Sugar Dumplin to be recognized on this stage represents more than just a film; it represents a shift in how stories from our cultures are being told and valued. It’s a step toward greater visibility for Caribbean narratives in global cinema.

This selection gives a voice to the kind of storytelling I’ve been passionate about my entire career—stories that reflect who we are, that speak to our shared experiences and our unique cultures. To see Sugar Dumplin embraced on such a prestigious international platform, especially in a festival like the ABFF that has long championed authentic Black voices, is a milestone I can’t take for granted.

It’s also a reminder that stories like these need to be told, not just in Canada, but everywhere. We, as Black creatives, have stories that deserve global attention. The world needs to hear our voices, see our experiences, and understand the richness of our cultures. And now, thanks to the ABFF, we get to do just that.

So, while it’s humbling and empowering to have Sugar Dumplin selected for the American Black Film Festival, this is only the beginning. It’s a moment that not only validates my work but also encourages other filmmakers of color to keep pushing, to keep telling their stories, and to keep striving for a world where our voices are not just heard, but celebrated.

In this blog, I want to reflect on what this selection means for me and how it’s a step forward for Black storytelling. Sugar Dumplin is a testament to the power of representation, the importance of owning our narratives, and the need for more spaces where stories like ours can thrive. This moment is just the start of a much bigger journey, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.

The Jamaican Premiere of Sugar Dumplin – A Film That Speaks to the Heart of Our Time

It's amazing to me when I think about how Sugar Dumplin moves people. What started as a personal desire to create a film that speaks to the sensitivity of time—how we don’t have forever to figure out how to love one another—has blossomed into something much larger than I could have ever imagined. This film has sparked a movement, resonating with audiences in a way that has surpassed all my expectations. And that’s why we had to bring it home to Jamaica.

Jamaica Showed Up for Sugar Dumplin

What can I say other than that Jamaica showed up for us and for this amazing film? Over 400 people came to celebrate the life of the legendary Oliver Samuels, who plays a pivotal role in Sugar Dumplin, and to experience the story we created for this very community. The atmosphere was electric, and the energy was palpable. As always, the crowd was full of love and support—but, being true to Jamaican nature, they wanted more!

Just like Jamaicans, who indulge in everything with a passion, they gave their feedback. To them, nothing is ever perfect, and that’s what I love about them. They’re not shy to say, “We want more of this.” What they are really telling us is that they want to see themselves more on the screen. They want their stories told authentically and owned by them—by us. They want to see Jamaica portrayed the way we know Jamaica to be, not through anyone else’s lens, but through our own eyes.

A Celebration of Culture Under the Stars

Under the stars, surrounded by friends, family, and fellow Jamaicans, we sat together, ate, laughed, cried a little, and celebrated our culture. It was a beautiful thing to witness. The premiere of Sugar Dumplin wasn’t just about showcasing a film; it was about celebrating the richness of who we are as a people. It was about connecting with our roots and sharing a story that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

As the film played, I could see it in the faces of the audience—the connection they felt to the characters, the familiar moments that hit too close to home. There’s something magical about seeing your own culture reflected on the big screen, and I’m grateful that Sugar Dumplin is able to offer that to our people. The love and support we received reaffirmed that this film is not just mine; it’s for every Jamaican, every Caribbean person, and every person who’s ever struggled to find ways to reconnect with family and heritage.

The Impact of Sugar Dumplin

From the very beginning, Sugar Dumplin was meant to be a film that spoke to the delicate and fleeting nature of time. It’s a film about love, memory, and the urgency of living in the moment—something that resonates with so many. But, beyond that, it’s about telling stories that have been overlooked for too long. It’s about providing a space for Jamaican and Caribbean narratives to thrive in the global film landscape. And, judging by the reception in Jamaica, this film is achieving just that.

The feedback we received at the premiere is a powerful reminder of why we need to keep pushing forward. Jamaican audiences are hungry for more authentic, culturally rich films that represent them in their entirety. They don’t want a surface-level version of their lives; they want to see the rawness, the beauty, the complexity, and the everyday realities that make Jamaica—and the wider Caribbean—what it is.

The Journey Continues

As Sugar Dumplin continues to make waves at film festivals and screenings around the world, I’m reminded that this is just the beginning. The Jamaican premiere was a pivotal moment, but the journey for this film and for our stories is ongoing. We’ll continue to share this story, not just with our local community, but with audiences around the world who can connect with the universal themes of family, love, and the complexities of memory and identity.

In a world where representation matters more than ever, Sugar Dumplin is a testament to the power of storytelling. It shows the world that our voices matter, that our stories are worth telling, and that we have the ability to shape the narratives we want to see.

So, to everyone who came out to the premiere, to all the supporters who’ve been with us from the start, and to everyone who believes in the power of authentic storytelling—thank you. This film is for you. It’s for all of us.

As the journey of Sugar Dumplin continues, let’s keep the conversation going, share the story, and remember that we are all a part of something much bigger than ourselves. We want to see more, and we’ll make it happen together.

Sugar Dumplin is more than just a film; it’s a movement. Let’s keep pushing forward and continue to celebrate our culture, our stories, and our people. The best is yet to come.

TIFF Market Screening

We had an incredible night at the TIFF Market screening of Sugar Dumplin where we celebrated family, culture, and community. It was a full house, and the energy in the room was unmatched as the story of Sugar Dumplin resonated with our audience. From the soulful beats to the rich Jamaican cultural references, the film captured the heart and soul of what it means to hold onto tradition while navigating the changes life brings.

Thank you to everyone who attended, from our amazing cast and crew to the supportive community that showed up in full force. We couldn’t be more grateful to showcase our work at such a prestigious event, and we’re excited for what’s next on this journey. The warm reception at TIFF is a testament to the power of storytelling, and we can’t wait to continue sharing Sugar Dumplin with the world.