Nevis Launches Film Commission, Marking New Era for Island’s Creative Industry

In a bid to position itself as a premier destination for international film and television production, the island of Nevis formally launched its new Film Commission this past Sunday at the Nevis Performing Arts Center (NEPAC). The event—part celebration, part strategic move—signals a serious commitment to growing a local creative economy around the island’s culture, history, and striking natural beauty.

The June 22 launch included a cocktail reception and a screening of Hamilton’s America, a documentary exploring the Broadway hit and its real-life namesake, Nevis-born Alexander Hamilton. The evening’s tone was celebratory but purposeful, with remarks from Nevis Premier Mark Brantley and newly-appointed Film Commissioner Pamela Martin, both outlining how the Film Commission aims to make the island more accessible to filmmakers and producers from around the globe.

“This is a giant leap forward for Nevis’ film ambitions,” said Brantley. “What began during the pandemic with MSR Media’s productions is blossoming into something bigger—an economic opportunity tied to creativity.”

Martin emphasized that the Commission isn’t just a symbolic gesture. It’s a practical support arm for productions looking to film on the island, offering a centralized contact point, logistical help, and local incentive programs. “We want to make it easy for filmmakers to choose Nevis,” she said.

The launch drew a number of high-profile guests including Minister Spencer Brand and Deputy Governor General Hyleta Liburd—an indication of how seriously the island is treating its cinematic future.

Following the screening, director Alex Horwitz joined virtually for a live Q&A, offering an unexpected full-circle moment: he shared that Hamilton’s America had originally planned to include on-location shooting in Nevis, but scrapped the trip during the Zika virus outbreak. The conversation offered a poignant reminder of the island’s place in American history—and its potential to serve as both a literal and narrative backdrop in future storytelling.

In recent years, Nevis has quietly emerged as a Caribbean filming hub. Titles like A Week in Paradise (distributed by Lionsgate) and Christmas in the Caribbean (starring Elizabeth Hurley) have already put the island on the production map, with releases on major platforms like Amazon Prime.

The Nevis Film Commission is hoping to build on that momentum, pitching the island as a scenic, low-hassle, incentive-friendly location for films, television series, commercials, and photo shoots. The strategy is about more than scenery—it’s about jobs, training, and spinoff benefits that come from a thriving local media ecosystem.

With the Film Commission now formally in place, Nevis is aiming to do more than just attract film crews. It wants to build a creative industry. And it’s rolling.