Redefining Barbadian Storytelling Through Film

Long before he sat behind a judging table or a policy brief, Christian-Kendahl Rock was studying how people see – how a frame can shift emotion, how a camera angle can change meaning and how a single story told well can ripple far beyond the island’s shores. It is that curiosity that continues to shape his work as External Coordinator for NIFCA’s Film and Video category, where he is helping redefine what it means to make and share Barbadian stories. 

This year, Rock reimagined the festival’s judging process, introducing a secure digital portal that allows jurors to screen films at their own pace. While to some it might seem like a small procedural tweak, to him it signals the start of something bigger. “The festival should not be the end of the journey,” he explained. “It should be the start.” And in his vision, NIFCA is not simply about awards or technical standards; it is a springboard for local storytellers to reach a global audience while staying rooted in Caribbean culture. 

For Rock, storytelling begins with observing the world around you. “We have to open our indoors, go into our rum shops, go on the buses, go into the schools, go to our church on the street and tell these stories that exist already within Barbados. Because the reality is, we Caribbean people are natural storytellers. We don’t need to copy recycled Hollywood stories; we are unique enough to create our own.” His emphasis on authenticity underscores both his creative philosophy and his approach to mentoring emerging filmmakers. 

Christian-Kendahl Rock—capturing the soul of Barbados, one story at a time.

This philosophy of discovery also informs Rock’s approach to mentoring emerging filmmakers as his classes are carefully designed not just to teach techniques but to instill the discipline of creation, an ethos he emphasizes repeatedly: “Never, never stop creating. If you constantly create, you are going to be better. If you stop, you’re not going to be better, simple. We need our creators moving from one thing into the next, and the angle should not be to just get money… if this is what you love, you should just constantly create.”  

At the same time, Rock is realistic about the challenges facing Barbadian filmmakers, noting that too few creators are accessing available resources or viewing filmmaking as a long-term pursuit. “You can’t be a filmmaker and not watch films,” he stressed. “Because growth begins with curiosity; so factors like paying attention to light, sound, rhythm. The stories are already there, we just have to tell them.” That philosophy also informs his advocacy for a national film act, which he sees as a framework to support local talent while attracting international productions. 

In all of this, inclusion and the next generation remain central. Rock believes that opportunities in filmmaking should not be optional but essential and accessible to all who want to tell their stories. His work demonstrates that fostering a thriving creative community requires both mentorship and structural support, alongside inspiration and passion. 

If there is one lesson to take from Rock’s approach, it is that the magic of filmmaking lies in vision, courage and the willingness to keep creating. “You don’t need the most expensive camera to make magic,” he reminded emerging filmmakers. “You just need to understand your craft and keep creating.”  Ultimately, his words are more than advice, rather they are a call to dream boldly and craft stories that resonate long after the screen goes dark in Barbados and beyond.