Season 2, Episode 5: Behind every summer is a community that keeps Fire Island alive. This episode explores the history of the beloved Pines Pantry through the eyes of its iconic Pantry Girls, alongside the volunteer firefighters of The Pines and Cherry Grove who protect the island from fires, hurricanes, beach erosion, and an uncertain future.
PAN GYUL to Screen at American Black Film Festival's 30th Anniversary
The screening will take place on Saturday, May 30, at 8:40 p.m. in Screening Room #2 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
By: Chloe Rabinowitz
Pan Gyul, a moving coming-of-age short film written, directed, and produced by Kittitian/Nevisian-American actress and filmmaker Juliette Jeffers, has been officially selected to screen at the 30th Anniversary American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami Beach. The film is part of the festival's curated "Voices of Culture" showcase, which highlights stories from across the global Black experience. The screening will take place on Saturday, May 30, at 8:40 p.m. in Screening Room #2 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. Attendees can register on-site starting May 27 at the Registration Center at the Miami Beach Convention Center (enter at the corner of 18th St. & Washington Ave).
Set against the lush, vibrant backdrop of Nevis, Pan Gyul follows Roshan, a determined young girl who begins learning the steel pan in hopes of reconnecting with her father, a musician. As she navigates family expectations, cultural traditions, and personal discovery, Roshan embarks on a heartfelt journey centered on identity, courage, and belonging.
The film marks Jeffers' directorial debut and is believed to be among the first narrative films centered on Nevis to screen at international film festivals. Pan Gyul has already garnered notable recognition, including nominations for Best Short at the Pan African Film Festival and Best Screenplay at the Las Vegas Black Film Festival. The film was also selected for the Diversity in Cannes Showcase ahead of its ABFF screening.
"Pan Gyul is my love letter to Nevis and my father," said Juliette Jeffers. "I wanted to celebrate the beauty, music, and spirit of Caribbean culture while exploring themes of family, identity, and finding your voice. The steel pan becomes a symbol of legacy, pride, and intergenerational connection."
Raised in the Bronx by Caribbean parents from St. Kitts and Nevis, Jeffers has built a dynamic career spanning television, film, theater, writing, directing, and arts education. She currently appears in recurring roles on The Residence and Tulsa King.
In addition to her on-screen work, Jeffers has directed more than 30 solo theater productions and remains deeply committed to community-centered storytelling and arts advocacy. Through Pan Gyul, she is partnering with the Nevis Film Commission to expand the island's local film industry and amplify authentic Caribbean stories on a global stage.
Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, the American Black Film Festival remains a premier festival dedicated to Black film and television storytelling, celebrating both emerging and established creatives from around the world. The festival's 30th-anniversary edition will take place May 27-31, 2026, in Miami Beach.
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