KINGSTON, Jamaica — From viral social media clips to the red carpets of the world’s most prestigious film festivals, Jamaican content creator Kerry-Ann Collins, known professionally as Chiney K, is putting the final pieces in place ahead of the June 27 world premiere of her first feature-length film, *Stew Peas*.
For Collins, the upcoming premiere is far more than a one-night celebratory event—it is the starting line of a deliberate, long-term push to transition from a successful social media influencer to a established, lasting presence in the global film industry. In conversations about her upcoming debut, she emphasized that the most intense work does not end when the credits roll on opening night; instead, it will only ramp up as she works to parlay this first project into future acting and production opportunities.
“I’m equal parts excited and bracing for the work that comes next,” Collins shared in an interview. “Of course I’m thrilled to have audiences finally see the film, but I’m also eager to hear what critics and industry insiders think. I’m hoping the work I put in on screen resonates enough to open doors for more roles beyond *Stew Peas*.”
She also opened up about the grueling reality of independent film promotion, noting that the behind-the-scenes marketing work has proven far more demanding than the acting process itself. The core goal of the outreach, she explained, is not just to boost her own career, but to shine a spotlight on the untapped potential of Jamaica’s local film scene, both for domestic audiences and the millions of Jamaican diaspora viewers around the world.
To build connections and credibility ahead of her debut, Collins recently made a high-profile appearance on the red carpet at the Cannes International Film Festival, a trip arranged through a strategic partnership with renowned Jamaican designer Marshall, founder of Lepremier Miami. Marshall has designed custom wardrobes for A-list Hollywood figures including Anthony Anderson and Swizz Beatz, and the collaboration allowed Collins to position herself as a serious contender on the global film stage, marking a clear pivot from digital content creation to professional filmmaking.
For Collins, the Cannes trip was also a meaningful full-circle moment that tied back to her long-standing academic roots in film. Long before she built a following as a social media creator, she studied film in depth during her college years, and originally dreamed of studying film in France and interning at the Cannes Film Festival itself. Though her path ultimately led her to earn a degree from California State University, Northridge, standing on the Croisette this year felt like a realization of a goal she’d held for decades.
“I’ve been building this slowly for years, and with *Stew Peas* premiering next month, my whole focus right now is breaking into the international industry,” she said. “Cannes is where every corner of the global film industry converges—you have everyone from small boutique agents to top casting directors walking that promenade. As a new actress, there was no better place for me to be. I’m grateful for the opportunity, because I’m not just here to build my own career—I want to bring what I learn back to grow the industry at home in Jamaica.”
During her time at the festival, Collins gained key insight into gaps holding back Jamaica’s film sector, most notably the absence of a formal support ecosystem that can connect local creators with international film financiers. She noted that the glitz and red carpet glamour that draws public attention is only the surface of what Cannes offers; behind the scenes, industry development programs like the Cannes impACT Lab provide emerging creators with critical training on the legal, financial, and technical frameworks global investors require to back new projects.
“Those structures are make-or-break for growing our local industry,” she explained.
Collins also pointed to Nollywood’s exponential growth as a blueprint she finds inspiring for Jamaica’s sector. The Nigerian film industry built its global reputation starting from a grassroots, direct-to-consumer model, and has grown into a $6.4 billion industry that attracts major international investment. At this year’s Cannes, she celebrated Nigerian twin directors Arie and Chuko Esiri, whose new film *Clarissa* earned a rapturous standing ovation from festival audiences, a milestone she called a win for emerging global cinema everywhere.