The Georgetown Film Festival (GFF) will screen “Sugar Island,” a film by Afro-diasporic filmmaker Johanné Gómez Terrero, on Saturday March 28 at 7:00 PM at the Herdmanston Lodge Hotel, Georgetown. The screening is part of GFF’s monthly film series, supported by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
“Sugar Island” is a powerful examination of the Caribbean’s colonial history. The film delves into the colonial roots of the sugar industry and its exploitation of Black bodies, juxtaposing past resistance against slavery with contemporary struggles. Through the lens of protagonist Makenya’s journey into teenage motherhood, Gómez Terrero intertwines social consciousness with ancestral wisdom.
Gómez Terrero positions her work within a Caribbean and decolonial framework, exploring Complex Thinking, Anti-Racist Struggle, and Marronage Cinema. She is a graduate and chair coordinator at EICTV Cuba and holds a Master’s Degree from ESCAC in Spain
The evening will also feature three short films produced by GFF in partnership with the Government of Canada and the International Development and Relief Foundation as part of a mental health awareness campaign:
“Prayers and Prescriptions” directed by Kevin Garbaran, “The First Step” directed by Jaheim Jones, and “A Phone Call Away” directed by Nickose Layne.
Each film addresses mental health challenges faced by individuals in Guyanese communities—exploring grief, loneliness, depression, and addiction—while highlighting the power of conversation, support, and compassionate intervention. Through these stories, the campaign seeks to spark dialogue, reduce stigma, and remind audiences that no one has to face their struggles alone.
The screening is open to the public and has drawn interest from Georgetown’s diplomatic community. For more information or to RSVP, contact Akbar Singh on: (+592) 615-8413
About Georgetown Film Festival
The Georgetown Film Festival is Guyana’s premier platform for showcasing local and international cinema, with a focus on Caribbean and Latin American filmmakers. Through year-round programming including monthly screenings, workshops, and an annual festival, GFF creates space for cultural dialogue and supports emerging filmmakers in the region.
