Tv producer and Long Island University Graduate Jackie Jacqueline Jackson is Jamaica’s new Film Commissioner.
Jackson comes to the position at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) with 15 years of experience, and took up the job as of Monday (July 17, 2023) to replace Renee Robinson, who stepped down in March. Robinson’s last hurrah was to facilitate the production of the Bob Marley One Love biopic which is set for release in 2024 by Paramount Pictures.
With a responsibility for the film, animation and music (FAM) unit at JAMPRO, the new commissioner holds a Masters in Media Arts Management and produced her own TV show, “Psychology of…” which began in January 2021, at the height of the pandemic.
The show is a first of its kind in Jamaica, exploring the thought process and behaviors of everyday Jamaicans.
Sally Porteous was Jamaica’s first Film Commissioner when the Edward Seaga led government launched the Commission in 1984, with a mandate to develop the film and animation sectors. In total 7 women have held the post.
Jamaica’s Film Industry
Film making in Jamaica started just over 100 years ago, and since then, the industry has been closely linked to the music industry. The Harder They Come starring reggae icon Jimmy Cliff and the cult classic Shottas starring Ky-Mani Marley and Spragga Benz are among Jamaica’s most notable films. However, since the 1960s, several international films have been shot on location in Jamaica, including James Bond.
Other than Usain Bolt, Bob Marley and Reggae, Jamaica is world-renowned for its relationship with James Bond.
Ian Fleming set three of his novels in Jamaica- Dr. No, To Live And Let Die, and The Man With The Golden Gun. The last James Bond movie, No Time To Die was shot on location in Port Antonio, Jamaica.
“Jamaica is important to the Bond series because…the people and the culture you really understand that when he (Ian Fleming) was writing about Bond saving the world, that was the world he was wanting to save, because it is an astoundingly beautiful place,” said No Time To Die producer Barbara Broccoli on the Official James Bond Podcast as she explains why Jamaica was chosen for the film intense scenes which featured music from Shaggy and Buju Banton.
Government Of Jamaica ‘Screen Fund’
In March, The Government Of Jamaica announced that it will be establishing a $1-billion Jamaica Screen Fund to provide financing for the development and production of film and television (TV) shows in the country.
Nigel Clarke, the island’s Finance Minister said that the Fund will be established in partnership with the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce.
Dr. Clarke said that the $1 billion, which is an initial amount, will be provided over two years, with $500 million in 2023/24.
The Jamaica Observer reported that “Between January 2022-2023, the Jamaica Promotions Corporation (Jampro) said it recorded an unprecedented US$21 million in film production expenditure (FPE), which is the value of production budget contributed directly to GDP through economic activity in the film industry.”
“Jampro has been working with our local partners to ensure that the Jamaica Screen Fund is supportive to the needs of our local film industry, and in line with best practices from other global film funds,” stated Jampro president Shullette Cox.
