The U.S. Army veteran’s urban drama ‘Squatta’ draws on observations from Trinidad and Jamaica’s communal settlements.
American filmmaker James Williams is bringing his debut feature film to his alma mater this month. According to the Jamaica Observer, Williams will present Squatta at Howard University’s homecoming celebration on October 10, marking a significant milestone for the Maryland-born director who graduated from the institution’s prestigious film school in 2008.
Squatta is an urban drama with deep Caribbean connections. The production involved two filming campaigns in Jamaica, with the most recent round taking place in Kingston last June. The cast includes Jamaican actors Christopher Daley, Stokley Brown, and Kadeem Wilson in substantive roles, alongside dancehall deejay Mr Easy. These performers are expected to participate in a panel discussion alongside Williams during the Howard event.
The filmmaker’s creative journey for the project spans nearly two decades. Williams first drafted the concept in 2008 after observing the dynamics of communal settlements during a visit to Trinidad and Tobago. He later refined his vision while in Kingston, where he encountered similar communities that informed the film’s narrative and setting. Initial production began in Warrenton, Georgia in early 2025, with a total budget of US$250,000.
Williams brings significant life experience to his directorial debut. A United States Army veteran, he served for 21 years and attained the rank of captain before pursuing filmmaking. He earned his bachelor’s degree in radio, television and film from Howard, where he has maintained connections with faculty members over the years.
The director expressed enthusiasm about returning to Howard with his completed work. “I’ve long stayed connected with the faculty at the film school and to finally return with this project to kick off homecoming is one of the biggest honours of my life,” Williams told the Jamaica Observer. The film is expected to release later in 2026, introducing Caribbean audiences and international viewers to his perspective on urban life and communal settlement experiences.
Howard University, located in Washington DC, is among the most acclaimed Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. Its film school has produced notable entertainment industry figures including Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show), Taraji P Henson (Baby Boy, Empire), and Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther).
Squatta represents a significant moment for Caribbean cinema, with a diaspora filmmaker bringing a Caribbean-set urban drama to international audiences. The film’s focus on Jamaican and Trinidad-inspired communal settlement narratives, combined with its Jamaican cast and production presence, positions it as a culturally rooted project that reflects Caribbean storytelling on the global stage.
Written & Edited by Orlyn Edwards. Published by Caribbean Air Force Media.
Category: Entertainment · Island routing: Jamaica