Jamaican storytelling will take center stage in Maryland this weekend when the acclaimed psychological thriller Stew Peas makes its United States screening debut as part of Jamaica’s 64th Independence celebrations.
The two-day event, scheduled for August 22–23, is endorsed by the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, D.C. and forms part of the Embassy’s activities commemorating Jamaica’s 64th year of Independence. The screening provides an opportunity for Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica in the Washington metropolitan area to experience one of the country’s latest independent film productions while celebrating Jamaica’s rich creative talent and cultural heritage.
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The event is presented by LBA Holdings, LLC, as lead sponsor, in partnership with the Prince George’s Arts & Humanities Council, and is hosted in association with Wellspring Manor & Spa.
The weekend opens on Saturday, August 22, with an invitation-only Artist Meet & Greet at The Barn at Wellspring in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The celebrations culminate on Sunday, August 23, with a public reception and screening at Greenbelt Cinema in Greenbelt.
Written and directed by Jamaican filmmaker Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly and produced by Horane Henry of Ikon Media & Films, Stew Peas brings a distinctly Jamaican perspective to the psychological thriller genre.
The film follows Detective Tessa Riley, who struggles to balance the demands of family life while investigating the murder of her best friend. Her life takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious housekeeper enters her home with dangerous intentions, unleashing a chain of events that brings buried secrets to the surface.
At its core, Stew Peas explores family, relationships, identity and the complexities of Jamaican life, offering audiences a gripping story firmly rooted in Jamaican culture.
Lead sponsor Lisa Brown Alexander, CEO of LBA Holdings, LLC, said the screening represents an opportunity to showcase Jamaican creativity to audiences in the United States.
“*Stew Peas* is a powerful example of the storytelling talent coming out of Jamaica, and I am proud to bring this film to audiences in America,” Brown Alexander said. “Supporting artists and creators is a lifelong commitment for me, and this event is a natural extension of that work.”
For producer Horane Henry, the American screening marks an important milestone for the film and for Jamaica’s independent film industry.
“We are proud of the work we put into this film, and we are thrilled to bring it to audiences in America,” Henry said. “This film has the ability to transcend physical boundaries and cultures, and Greenbelt is an important step in showing what independent Jamaican filmmakers can do on the global stage.”
Nixon-Kelly said bringing the film to the Jamaican and wider Caribbean community in the United States was especially meaningful.
“Sharing Stew Peas with our people at home was essential, and now we get to bring that same energy to the Jamaican and Caribbean diaspora in America,” she said. “This story is rooted in home, and I am excited to watch it connect with audiences who carry that same culture with them here.”
The film features an ensemble cast led by Tarique Barrett, Mr. World Jamaica and Mr. World Caribbean, who makes his feature-film debut. He is joined by Kerry-Ann “ChineyK” Collins, Shernett Swearine, Quera South, Moses Wallace, Kimberlee Dobson and Andre Campbell.
Adding to the film’s growing recognition, Stew Peas has received six nominations at the inaugural Caribbean Film Awards 2026. The nominations include Best Feature Film, Best Director for Nixon-Kelly, Best Actress for Kerry-Ann Collins, Best Screenplay, Caribbean Heritage Film Award and Caribbean Film of the Year.
The U.S. premiere therefore represents more than a film screening. It is a celebration of Jamaican creativity, culture and resilience and provides a platform for independent Jamaican filmmakers to connect with audiences across the diaspora.
As Jamaica celebrates 64 years of Independence, the presentation of Stew Peas in Maryland underscores the enduring reach of Jamaican culture and the ability of Jamaican artists to tell compelling stories that resonate both at home and on the international stage.
For members of the Jamaican and Caribbean community in the Washington metropolitan area, the screening promises an opportunity to come together, celebrate Jamaican talent and experience a homegrown production on the big screen in the United States.
