JAFTA & UNICEF Open Call

The Jamaica Film and Television Association, in partnership with UNICEF Jamaica, invites filmmakers to apply to participate in a documentary film initiative - Women and Children in the Wake of Hurricane Melissa. This initiative is focused on the lived experiences, resilience, and recovery journeys of women, adolescent girls, and children affected by Hurricane Melissa.

The initiative will commission three (3) short documentary films (5–8 minutes each) that prioritise dignity, equity, and rights-based storytelling, and contribute to advocacy and public awareness to improve how recovery efforts serve women, adolescent girls, and children.

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About the Project

Hurricane Melissa significantly disrupted communities across western and southern parishes, impacting housing, livelihoods, education, health, and access to essential services. Through this initiative, JAFTA and UNICEF seek to ensure that the voices of women and children are not only heard, but honoured through ethical, thoughtful, and trauma-informed documentary filmmaking.

Selected filmmakers will be commissioned to produce one short documentary film that:

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• Highlights post-hurricane realities faced by women and adolescent girls

• Reflects resilience, agency and strength

• Promotes gender equality and challenges harmful stereotypes

• Contributes to advocacy and public awareness to improve how recovery efforts serve women, adolescent girls, and children

This initiative is intended for filmmakers who demonstrate not only strong storytelling ability, but also emotional intelligence, ethical awareness, and care. The subject matter involves trauma, displacement, and vulnerability, and must be approached with respect and responsibility.

Applicants should demonstrate:

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• A human-centred approach to documentary storytelling

• Sensitivity to gender, safeguarding, and child protection considerations

• An understanding of ethical and trauma-informed practice

• A clear vision for impact and advocacy

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be active JAFTA members at the time of application

• Be Jamaican filmmakers (emerging or experienced)

• Be available for the full duration of the project

Submission Requirements

1. Film Treatment (3–5 pages) outlining:

   • Concept and narrative approach

   • Visual style and tone

   • Ethical approach, including safeguarding considerations

   • Intended impact and audience

2. Director’s Bio (maximum 1 page)

3. Portfolio / Showreel / Links to Previous Work

4. Mentorship Component

   • Applicants must identify a young or emerging filmmaker to serve as a mentee within their production team

The mentee’s proposed role and learning objectives should be clearly outlined

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How to Apply

Submissions should be sent electronically in PDF format to: info@jaftaonline.org

Submission Deadline: Sunday January 18, 2026 at 11:59pm

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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