Guadeloupe’s Creative Voices Shine at New York African Diaspora International Film Festival

Guadeloupe’s Film Talent Finds Global Stage in New York

For two weeks at the end of 2025, the rhythms of Guadeloupe’s stories will pulse alongside those of the wider Caribbean at the 33rd annual New York African Diaspora International Film Festival (NYADIFF). As the festival opens its doors to “bold and visionary storytellers,” filmmakers from Guadeloupe join a chorus of voices representing Jamaica, Guyana, Curacao, Bonaire, Martinique, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago, and more. This year, the spotlight swings decisively toward the Caribbean, promising a showcase of cultural excellence rarely seen on such a prominent global stage.

Complex Histories and Diverse Voices on Screen

NYADIFF has built its reputation on showcasing films that challenge stereotypes, illuminate urgent social issues, and celebrate resilience. Guadeloupe’s entry, “Fanon,” co-produced with Trinidad & Tobago, exemplifies the festival’s commitment to complexity and depth. The film, named after the famed psychiatrist and philosopher Frantz Fanon, delves into the legacy of colonialism and the ongoing struggles for identity across the Caribbean. It’s not just a story about Guadeloupe—it’s a narrative that resonates with diasporan communities worldwide.

Dr. Reinaldo Barroso Spech, festival co-director, frames the event as a platform for voices “often silenced—indigenous, Afro-descendants and immigrants.” For Guadeloupean filmmakers, this is a chance to explore the layers of their own history and culture, from creole-speaking communities to the island’s Afro-Latino heritage. The festival’s program, spanning documentaries, shorts, and feature premieres, gives these filmmakers room to clarify, enlighten, and entertain, moving far beyond the clichés of palm trees and sandy beaches.

Caribbean Diaspora in Dialogue with the World

Guadeloupe’s participation in NYADIFF is part of a much broader dialogue. Fourteen films from fourteen countries will be screened at venues including Cinema Village, Symphony Space, and Columbia Teachers College. Audiences will encounter not just Caribbean stories, but perspectives from Africa, South America, Europe, and Asia. Films from Morocco, Kenya, Nigeria, and Egypt join those from Brazil, Chile, and Peru, painting a vivid picture of the global African diaspora and its interconnected histories.

One of the festival’s most anticipated moments is the screening of “The Eyes of Ghana,” a documentary executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama. While the film focuses on Ghana, its themes of post-colonial transformation resonate strongly with Guadeloupean narratives, inviting reflection on how colonial legacies shape contemporary society across continents.

For those unable to attend in person, the festival offers a virtual program, streaming a dozen selected films to audiences worldwide. This digital access extends the reach of Guadeloupean cinema, allowing its creative voices to travel far beyond New York and the Caribbean.

Celebrating Roots: Music and Tribute

The festival’s celebration of Caribbean culture isn’t limited to film. On November 29, the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music will host a pan-jazz tribute to calypso legends Lord Kitchener and the Mighty Sparrow, with performances by the Garvin Blake Quartet. This event underscores the interconnectedness of Caribbean art forms—music and cinema both serve as vehicles for storytelling, memory, and resilience. For Guadeloupe, whose musical traditions are as rich as its cinematic ones, such tributes affirm the vital role of the arts in preserving and celebrating identity.

Looking Forward: Guadeloupe’s Place in Diasporan Cinema

As NYADIFF continues its mission to foster dialogue and understanding, Guadeloupean filmmakers find themselves at a crossroads of tradition and innovation. Their work, showcased alongside that of their Caribbean neighbors and global peers, challenges audiences to rethink familiar narratives and engage with the complexities of diaspora life. Whether through the lens of historical reflection or contemporary social critique, Guadeloupe’s creative voices stand as testament to the power of film to build bridges and spark conversation.

In a world where stories are often simplified or ignored, festivals like NYADIFF remind us that the Americas—and the Caribbean in particular—are defined by complexity and diversity. Guadeloupe’s participation is more than an artistic achievement; it’s a statement about visibility, representation, and the enduring relevance of the region’s culture on the world stage.

Guadeloupe’s presence at the NYADIFF underscores the island’s evolving role in global cinema. By confronting stereotypes and amplifying silenced voices, its filmmakers not only enrich the festival’s narrative tapestry but also invite international audiences to reconsider what it means to belong to the Caribbean diaspora. In 2025, Guadeloupe’s stories are not just being told—they’re being heard.