Written, directed, and produced by acclaimed Kittitian/Nevisian-American actor and filmmaker Juliette Jeffers, Pan Gyul traces the story of a “young girl who longs to connect with her father, a revered steel pan musician, by learning to play the instrument that binds him to her older brothers.” This is Jeffers’s directorial debut.
Here is a description, followed by an article (“Caribbean Heritage and Storytelling Shine at ABFF 2026 with Pan Gyul by Juliette Jeffers”) with more details on the director, the film, and its inclusion in the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) in Miami. The screening will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 8:40pm 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 (at the corner of 18th Street and Washington Avenue, Miami, Florida).
Description (from https://www.pangyulfilm.com/): Pan Gyulis a heartfelt coming-of-age story set on the lush island of Nevis. It follows Roshan, a spirited young girl who longs to connect with her father, a revered steel pan musician, by learning to play the instrument that binds him to her older brothers. In a culture where pan is traditionally dominated by men, Roshan must find her voice, her rhythm, and her courage as she challenges expectations to earn a place not just on the stage, but in her father’s heart. Along the way, she must also navigate her mother’s disapproval and the pressures of tradition. Filled with music, culture, and emotional depth, Pan Gyul is a moving story about family, identity, and discovering the power of your own voice.
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Watch trailer here:
Excerpts from “Caribbean Heritage and Storytelling Shine at ABFF 2026 with Pan Gyul by Juliette Jeffers”:
[. . .] 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.
For more information, visit https://www.pangyulfilm.com/
Also seeJulietteJeffers.com
Written, directed, and produced by acclaimed Kittitian/Nevisian-American actor and filmmaker Juliette Jeffers, Pan Gyul traces the story of a “young girl who longs to connect with her father, a revered steel pan musician, by learning to play the instrument that binds him to her older brothers.” This is Jeffers’s directorial debut. Here is a description, followed by
