Private Project

Traytown

The charismatic and ambitious Aria Sawyer pulls out all the stops on her campaign to becoming Traytown's next Member of Parliament. At a fundraiser to secure the votes of Jamaica's elite, with her husband Dimitri on her arm, Aria coaxes the money and backing her campaign needs with a smile on her face that never falters. Yet behind that smile lays a secret with the power to cancel her dreams of being MP in a heartbeat. When her power-hungry husband Dimitri finds out about her ongoing affair with Janelle Rose, a spunky journalist, he makes veiled threats that Aria cannot afford to take lightly. Faced with a choice between power or love, in a world where her love for Janelle is condemned as criminal, Aria clings to the safety net of remaining Dimitri's wife. As she watches Janelle walk out of her life, Aria puts on a smile next to her husband while her eyes question if she made the right choice.

  • Nadean Rawlins
    Director
  • Gareth Cobran
    Director
    OnePeople: The Celebration
  • Letay Williams
    Writer
  • Nadean Rawlins
    Producer
  • Jovi Rockwell
    Key Cast
    "Aria Sawyer"
  • Gabrielle Murdock
    Key Cast
    "Janelle Rose"
  • Ramon Walker
    Key Cast
    "Dimitri Gavins"
  • Paul issa
    Key Cast
    "Richard Hill"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 46 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    July 14, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Jamaica
  • Country of Filming:
    Jamaica
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16.9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival
    Port of Spain
    Trinidad and Tobago
    September 12, 2020
    Caribbean Premiere
Director Biography - Nadean Rawlins, Gareth Cobran

Nadean Rawlins is a multi-award-winning actress and now Director/Producer. She has directed and produced five (5) stage plays. TrayTown is her first short film as Director/Producer.

Gareth Cobran is a noted Director of Photography having worked on (5) short films and collaborated as director on the documentary OnePeople: The Celebration.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Traytown the feature film was entered in the British Council film lab in Jamaica 2018 and was one of the top films selected for a grant at a pitch session in 2019. Writer Letay Williams' talent and passion for her work led me (Nadean Rawlins) to attach myself to the project so I could join in telling the story of this young woman's battling with her sexuality and the desire for power in a society where both are a challenge. Collaborating with Gareth Cobran was a dream as he was able to lend his perspective to the story as well as apply his apt skill of director of photography.

It was a dream working with the cast and crew who had no issue working on the project considering its content; lack of acceptance of same sex relationship in Jamaica.

We are truly excited about the final cut of Traytown the short.