Nine years ago, a young performer named Kyvon Edwin left his home in Saint Lucia to chase a big dream in New York City: refining his craft as an actor and storyteller. That initial leap of faith has grown into a thriving, multi-faceted career in global cinema, marked by a string of milestones that showcase both his talent and his unwavering commitment to centering authentic Caribbean narratives on the world stage.
After two years of rigorous training at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute, Edwin graduated in 2019, laying a solid foundation for what would quickly become a burgeoning career in film. His work has already earned him a spot at the renowned Short Film Corner at the Festival de Cannes, one of the most high-profile platforms for emerging cinematic talent. Beyond his work in front of the camera, Edwin launched his own production banner, Roots Production, a venture that has already sent multiple original short films to screenings at festivals across the globe.
Most recently, Edwin earned a spot as a finalist in the NAACP Cinematic Shorts Competition, a landmark achievement that opened doors to invaluable industry connections. Through the competition, he got the chance to network with top executives and established talent from some of the most recognizable entertainment studios and companies in the world. As part of the program, Roots Production co-created the short film *In/Finite* with NAACP Studios, with Edwin stepping into roles as co-writer and co-director alongside collaborator Auriyana Armour. Advancing to the competition’s finals also granted him access to the annual NAACP convention, the organization’s awards week, and exclusive visits to major Hollywood studios.
Speaking candidly to St. Lucia Times, Edwin reflected on his winding journey, calling it eventful but reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to storytelling. Even as he has taken on producing, directing and enterprise leadership, Edwin says his first love remains acting – a passion that first ignited when he was a theatre-loving teenager growing up in Saint Lucia, and one that has never faded. “In the midst of pursuing filmmaking, I still audition and go out for film projects,” he shared, emphasizing his identity as a full-time storyteller first.
Roots Production, for Edwin, is more than just a business: it is a purpose-driven platform to amplify underrepresented stories and create meaningful cultural impact. In 2023, he took on nearly every key role for one of the company’s flagship projects: *Lettre La (The Letter)*, a short film inspired by the iconic late radio host Juke Bois’ beloved cult show of the same name. Edwin produced, wrote, directed and starred in the project, which cast a roster of local talent including Okeema Moore, Rory Clarke, Rudolph Shaw, and even Edwin’s own mother, Yvonne Edwin. After completing a run on the global film festival circuit – where strict rules often bar films from public screenings before their festival premieres conclude – *Lettre La* is finally set for its first public screening in Edwin’s home country of Saint Lucia. The screening will take place as part of the upcoming Arts and the City event on April 26 and 27, with screening times to be announced by Caribbean Cinemas and the Cultural Development Foundation.
A second original short from Roots Production, *Bagay La Nou Pòté (The Things We Carry)*, marks another milestone for Edwin, who served as producer and director on the project. The film was funded through a mix of grants, corporate sponsorships, and community crowdfunding, and was filmed entirely on location in Saint Lucia with a mostly local cast and crew. The story follows one full day in the life of a young rising cricket star, a narrative rooted deeply in Saint Lucian culture. “When I was thinking about this story, something just clicked about how much cricket is a cornerstone of our culture – how we go to games and enjoy it, how we support our players. I thought it was a very nuanced look at what it means to be Saint Lucian,” Edwin explained. He drew inspiration from iconic Saint Lucian athletes like cricket star Daren Sammy and track star Julien Alfred, whose incredible careers grew from humble beginnings. “Just seeing our athletes who have incredible careers when they’ve come from such humble beginnings, I just wanted to reflect that story,” he said.
*Bagay La Nou Pòté* has already screened at two major North American festivals: the Chelsea Film Festival in New York and the Pan African Film Festival in Los Angeles, and has been submitted to dozens more festivals around the world. For Edwin, the next step for the story is to expand it into a fully realized coming-of-age hybrid series that follows the young protagonist’s journey to earn a spot on the West Indies cricket team, and he is currently building momentum and securing support for the development process.
Beyond his own original projects, Edwin is also supporting the next generation of Caribbean filmmakers as a producer on upcoming Saint Lucian director Shanice Brette’s new feature. The film centers on a Saint Lucian woman navigating the final week of her pregnancy during a sweltering New York summer, as she comes to terms with what impending motherhood will mean for her. “I’m really excited about that project as well,” Edwin says.
Building a successful film career as an emerging storyteller from a small Caribbean nation has not been without its challenges, but Edwin’s vision has remained consistent through every step: to create cinematic work that tells authentic Caribbean stories that resonate with audiences around the globe. For the 9-year journey from a young immigrant actor in New York to a festival-screened, NAACP-recognized filmmaker, that vision continues to drive every new project he takes on.