FROM THE BIG SCREEN TO THE RUNWAY: CARIFF 2026 CELEBRATES CARIBBEAN EXCELLENCE

Homage takes Caribbean Film of the Year honors as Majah Hype, Chiney K, Christina Cooper and other Caribbean creatives are recognized during a weekend celebrating cinema, fashion and culture in Wilmington, Delaware.

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE — October 13, 2026 — The 2026 Caribbean Film Awards and CARIFF brought Caribbean cinema, fashion and cultural excellence to the forefront during a two-day celebration held October 9–10 in Wilmington, Delaware. Presented by the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, the event united filmmakers, actors, entertainers, fashion designers and cultural leaders in recognition of the Caribbean’s growing influence across the creative industries.

Leading the evening’s honors, Homage was named Caribbean Film of the Year, while Jamaican entertainer Majah Hype received Best Actor and media personality Chiney K earned Best Actress. The film Doubles captured Best Feature Film, while Deon Gibson was recognized as Best Director.
Filmmaker Christina Cooper was honored with the Film Trailblazer Award, recognizing her contributions to the film industry and creative storytelling.

The film Unbelievable received Best Original Soundtrack, with Jamaican-American actress and A’Legends founder Jenelle Alexia accepting the award on behalf of the production. Alexia, who appears in the film alongside Jamaican recording artist and actor Spragga Benz, also served as an award presenter during the ceremony.
Additional honors recognized outstanding achievements in storytelling, filmmaking and cultural representation, including Heartfall for Best Costume Design & Fashion, Threads of Us for the Caribbean Heritage Film Award, Beach Inna Bondage for Best Documentary, and Someone Loves You for the Audience Choice Award.

The festival featured screenings at Penn Cinema at the Riverfront, with the Caribbean Film Awards ceremony held at Theater N, creating opportunities for Caribbean filmmakers and creative professionals to present their work to audiences in the United States.

Beyond the big screen, fashion became another major highlight of CARIFF 2026 through the 2nd Annual Caribbean Fashion Show, held at the Sheraton Suites Wilmington Downtown. The runway featured three distinctive brands: A’Legends, Zari Isles by Nadia, and Fantasy Island Mas, each offering its own interpretation of Caribbean creativity and cultural expression.
A’Legends, founded by Jamaican-American designer Jenelle Alexia, presented its Passport to Paradise collection, featuring more than 10 designs inspired by Jamaican heritage and Caribbean culture. The presentation drew enthusiastic audience reactions and incorporated a special tribute to Breast Cancer Awareness Month through several meaningful designs.

Zari Isles by Nadia showcased a Caribbean-inspired collection reflecting the region’s rich cultural influences and distinctive fashion aesthetic, while Fantasy Island Mas embraced the vibrant spirit of Caribbean carnival, bringing colorful carnival costumes and designs to the runway in celebration of the region’s festive traditions.

Together, the three brands demonstrated the diversity of Caribbean fashion, from contemporary designs and cultural storytelling to the artistry, pageantry and colorful traditions of carnival.
The celebration further emphasized the importance of platforms that provide international visibility for Caribbean creatives, encourage cultural exchange and strengthen connections between the Caribbean and its diaspora.

Through its combination of film screenings, award presentations and fashion showcases, CARIFF 2026 reinforced the significance of Caribbean storytelling and artistic expression, recognizing both established and emerging talent while creating opportunities for continued industry growth.

2026 CARIBBEAN FILM AWARDS — OFFICIAL WINNERS
Caribbean Film of the Year: Homage
Film Trailblazer Award: Christina Cooper
Best Feature Film: Doubles
Best Actor: Majah Hype
Best Actress: Chiney K
Best Director: Deon Gibson
Best Original Soundtrack: Unbelievable
Best Costume Design & Fashion: Heartfall
Best Documentary: Beach Inna Bondage
Caribbean Heritage Film Award: Threads of Us
Audience Choice Award: Someone Loves You
Best Original Screenplay: Stew Peas
Best Short Film: I Love This Arrangement
Best Caribbean Emerging Filmmaker: Ina Sotirova
Best Caribbean Music Video: Steppah — Sharon Marley
ABOUT CARIFF & THE CARIBBEAN FILM AWARDS
Presented by the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, CARIFF and the Caribbean Film Awards provide a platform celebrating Caribbean filmmaking, entertainment, fashion and cultural expression. The initiative recognizes creative achievements while promoting greater visibility, collaboration and opportunities for Caribbean artists and professionals throughout the diaspora.
Website: caribbeanfilmawards.com