Caymanian filmmaker Jazz Pitcairn took her vision of a feature film, ‘Ivan’, to the next level at the 8th annual AT&T Untold Stories, an annual pitch competition in partnership with Tribeca Festival.
The year-round mentorship programme offers a chance for filmmakers to win US$1 million and turn their pitch into a full-length feature film that will premiere at next year’s 2026 Tribeca Festival.
Pitcairn was among five emerging and historically underrepresented filmmakers presenting their stories on 5 June at the Tribeca Festival Hub in New York to a committee of renowned industry professionals, including Stephanie Hsu, Andrew Ahn, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Gina Rodriguez, David Fortune, and Kellyn Smith Kenny, AT&T’s chief marketing and growth officer.
Although Pitcairn didn’t win, she told the Cayman Compass, “Untold Stories has been an unforgettable experience, and I’m filled with gratitude—for the opportunity, for the platform, and for the chance to share a piece of Cayman with the world.”
Pitcairn said the milestone film pitch was made possible by “a community of people who believed in the project”. She thanked Armada Films, Cayman National Cultural Foundation, local filmmakers Joel Lawson and Tevin Vernon, Bruce Gordon and Shemila Eden at Zeal, and the National Trust for their support.
Pitcairn applied online for the Tribeca/AT&T Untold Stories programme, the largest production prize of its kind in the world and a widely sought-after competition.
“I was encouraged to apply by Bryce Norbitz. She runs the Tribeca programmes. She was a guest speaker when I did the NYU Production Lab fellowship and talked to us about the programme,” Pitcairn said.
‘A love letter to Cayman’
During the 10-minute pitch, Pitcairn, along with her producer Nikkia Moulterie, presented the artistic vision of her full-length film, “a contained thriller about one woman’s fight to secure her first seat in parliament [and] the many women who rally around her in the category 5 hurricane that reminds them all that what is most important is each other”.
A “love letter” to her mother, grandmother and the Cayman Islands, the feature film, Pitcairn explained, will build on the foundation of the award-winning short film, ‘Ivan‘, which premiered last year for the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Ivan.
Pitcairn noted during the live pitch, the feature will bring character and story to life, “introducing new characters and widening the lens to explore the complexities of Caribbean politics, the weight of leadership and the threat of climate change”.
Pitcairn was then placed in the hot seat, answering questions from the committee, where American actress and philanthropist Gina Rodriguez asked how the women plan on filming the atrocities a hurricane can bring, considering the expense of water.
Acknowledging the film is an undertaking, Moulterie noted, “We are taking it step by step. There are locations that still reflect the 2004 hurricane, so that’s the lowest lift.”
Moulterie said the production plan will include “20 shoot days in Grand Cayman [and] five days at water tank stages in the Dominican Republic”.
Pitcairn’s career began with Emmy-award winning work for HBO’s ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’. She then made her directorial debut with ‘Ivan’ at the 43rd annual Hawaii International Film Festival, held in October 2023.
The film has been accepted into several Oscar-qualifying film festivals and won awards, including best score for an international film at the Garden State Film Festival in 2024.
It was also nominated in 2023 for a Hollywood Music in Media Award for best score in a short film (live action).
Star-studded feature film
Pitcairn said they’re still actively fundraising to bring ‘Ivan’ to life, “through both financial contributions and in-kind support—and we’re especially looking to connect with Caymanian partners who believe in the power of local stories. This experience has shown me that people believe in ‘Ivan’, and that kind of belief is what fuels us as we move into production.”
For the full-length film, Pitcairn confirmed Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph will be among a star-studded cast and crew.
“We’re thrilled to have Emmy winner Sheryl Lee Ralph attached in a key role—her presence brings such depth and gravitas to ‘Ivan’. We’re also building a powerful team behind the scenes, including cinematographer Ian Takahashi (‘The White Lotus’), stunt coordinator Manny Siverio (‘The Dark Knight Rises’), and local executive producers Frankie E. Flowers, Rohan and Brittany Small.”
Pitcairn said a recent grant from NYU’s prestigious Production Lab has been “a huge boost”.
“It’s exciting to feel the momentum building as more people believe in and invest in this story,” she said.
Pitcairn also confirmed the 2024 Cayman Islands Film Commission established an official cash rebate programme in which ‘Ivan’ will be the first film to participate.
“My hope is that our film will raise the global profile of the Cayman Islands, establish new job opportunities and inspire a new generation of creatives,” she said.
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