On Friday, the red carpet will be rolled out at Caribbean Cinemas by Sunny Isle on St. Croix to highlight two new locally made films. The team behind the Film Over Gun Violence initiative returns with a bigger, festival-style premiere aimed at both entertainment and violence prevention.
The evening will showcase the films “Bottled Love” and “Verified,” the latest projects from Blue Tarp Productions in collaboration with the Center for Educational Growth’s Film Over Gun Violence program and community arts partners.
The Source connected with Diana Dias and George Cannon III, owners of Blue Tarp Productions, to learn more about the films and the upcoming red carpet premiere.
Two Short Films Will Premiere on Friday
“Without giving too much away, the new films premiering on Dec. 19 are titled ‘Bottled Love,’ and ‘Verified’,” Blue Tarp Productions said in a written response to the Source.
“The film ‘Bottled Love’ centers on the lives of three sisters, delving into the impact of unspoken trauma, unresolved conflict, and emotional pain particularly experienced among young people,” Blue Tarp Productions said.
“The film examines how these internal struggles, if left unaddressed, can accumulate and eventually erupt in ways that are harmful. Rather than focusing solely on the aftermath, ‘Bottled Love’ looks at the moments leading up to destructive choices, exploring the pressures, silence, and emotional turmoil that often precede them. This story is deeply human. It’s a story about what happens before the breaking point, and it reflects the real experiences of many families and communities in the Virgin Islands,” Blue Tarp Productions continued.
“The second film being shown on Friday, ‘Verified,’ explores the pressures young people face trying to stay relevant in today’s social media – driven world,” Blue Tarp said. “The film reflects how online visibility, validation, and constant comparison influence identity and self-worth, while subtly revealing the emotional strain that comes with maintaining a digital presence. As the character’s values are tested, the story asks a powerful question: will she choose popularity or integrity?” the team revealed.
How the Films Were Created
Blue Tarp Productions explained how the filmmaking project came to be.
“The new films grew directly out of CFEG, the first online and internationally accredited nonprofit school in the USVI, and its FOGV initiative. This program is one of many of CFEG’s humanities and arts programs, and it is a particularly special flagship education and film initiative, designed to redirect youth and communities away from violence to the art of filmmaking by giving them real training, mentorship, and a platform to tell Virgin Islands stories,” Blue Tarp stated.
CFEG builds the classroom and research side, while Blue Tarp Productions leads professional production and “story-to-screen” training.
“We believe we can address gun violence by using storytelling as prevention. We are changing the scene by educating and providing young people alternatives to gun violence,” the team declared.
What began as a summer program has now expanded into a year-round community film movement, with CFEG, Blue Tarp Productions, Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, and local production companies Team Faktornize, Nano Tech Productions, and Big Wave VI all collaborating on new work and building what they call a Virgin Islands film economy.
Student Filmmakers Return as Alumni
The Friday premiere will bring back some familiar faces who participated in Blue Tarp Production’s 2024 films, “Bullet Proof Dreams” and “Fall.” Last year’s films have become award-winning shorts.
“Some of the young people from last year’s program returned in support roles and behind-the-scenes positions, which has been really rewarding to see,” according to Blue Tarp Productions. “Their confidence, professionalism, and understanding of the filmmaking process have grown tremendously since last summer. We have also introduced new local actors and creatives, giving even more Virgin Islanders an opportunity to step into film. That mix of returning youth and new faces reflects exactly what we’re trying to build: continuity, growth, and expanding access to film opportunities within the community.”
The Blue Tarp team noted that the new films will build upon the themes of last year’s productions.
“All of our films form a larger conversation about prevention, healing, and community responsibility,” Blue Tarp Productions emphasized.
Indeed, the production company itself was formed with that exact mission in mind.
“Blue Tarp Productions was created to tell Virgin Islands stories through a local lens and to provide hands-on opportunities for Virgin Islanders — especially youth — to learn film and media production,” the team explained. “The company grew out of a desire to create something sustainable that blends storytelling, education, and community impact. From short films to training programs, the goal has always been to build capacity right here at home.”
“The films were shot on St. Croix, and audiences will recognize familiar neighborhoods, everyday settings, and cultural details that make the story feel real and close to home. We intentionally chose locations that reflect daily life in the territory, so viewers can see themselves and their surroundings represented honestly on screen,” Blue Tarp said.
Red Carpet, VIP After-Party and a Growing Film Movement
At the premiere itself on Friday, at which the red carpet opens at 6 p.m., organizers promise an even more elaborate experience than last year’s debut.
“The film premiere will be held on Dec. 19th at Caribbean Cinemas on St. Croix, and audiences can again expect a red carpet experience similar to last year, but bigger and better,” Blue Tarp Productions announced. “It is St. Croix’s very own mini film festival. And a new addition this year is an exclusive ‘VIP after-party’ at St. Croix Cellars, designed to connect community members directly with cast, crew and local executives.”
For Blue Tarp Productions and CFEG, the Friday event is as much about the future as it is about opening night.
“The films are part of a bigger movement, not a one-off event. FOGV as a CFEG-led initiative is built by Virgin Islands artists, filmmakers, and community partners to create real opportunity for youth and local talent, while using storytelling to confront gun violence and its ripple effects,” Blue Tarp Productions shared. “Every film strengthens the ecosystem and shows that a Virgin Islands film industry isn’t an idea we’re only talking about; it’s something we’re actively building, project by project,” the team said.
After the premiere, Blue Tarp Productions plans to keep the films in circulation through local community screenings, while also submitting them to regional and international festivals that highlight social impact and Caribbean stories. Longer term, the group aims to make the films available on streaming and online rental platforms and to build “an ongoing pipeline where each release leads to the next film, the next training cohort, and the next set of community screenings, so the impact doesn’t end when the credits roll.”
Tickets for the Friday premiere and VIP after-party are available online, and organizers encourage community members to purchase in advance, as seating is limited.
Additional information is available from Blue Tarp Productions on the organization’s Facebook page.
