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ART THAT AWAKENS
art that awakens by Caribbean heritage Writers
we are...Conch Shell Productions
OUR MISSION
At Conch Shell Productions (CSP), our mission is to awaken American audiences to the unique voices of emerging Caribbean diaspora and the Caribbean theatre and film artists.
To do so, we create spaces for Caribbean heritage artists to own their narrative, and for audiences to learn more about them and their work.
Our initiatives include our new works development incubator CSP Artist Collective, new works reading series (Bluelight Series, Conch Shell New Works Fest, Reset Series), artist workshops, CSP Artist Chat monthly talk show, and our Conch Shell International Film Fest.
Ever since our first theatre festival in 2019 (Hear Her Call Caribbean American Women's Theatre Festival) Conch Shell Productions has inspired social change by sharing the work of over 120 Caribbean heritage film and theatre makers with over 15,000 audience members (in person and online) redefining perspectives about Caribbean heritage communities with varied stories, and building bridges between our artists and audiences.
Conch Shell Productions, Inc. is a Queens, New York-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our programs are made possible thanks to generous support of individual donors, foundations, and corporate sponsorships.
Be part of a growing movement to amplify Caribbean voices in film!
Join us on Thursday, September 18th, 2025 at Queens Public Library for a powerful evening of short films at our CSIFF Community Screening— presented in partnership with Queens Public Library.
This is a free public event spotlighting bold, thought-provoking films by Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora filmmakers.
Date: Wednesday, Sept 18th 2025 - 5pm-7:30pm
Location: Queens Public Library Forest Hills Branch
Admission: Free | All are welcome!
Participate in a dynamic Q&A session with featured filmmakers!
Connect with community members who value authentic, underrepresented stories!
(This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrant program, a program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature and administered by Flushing Town Hall.)
About the films
"Noisy" written & directed by Dominican American filmmaker Cedric Hill
Sam, a kind but withdrawn architect, feels increasingly alienated from the noise and pace of New York. While navigating the crowded hell of a summer commute, he notices April—a woman who doesn’t flinch at the chaos around her. She’s focused, still, and deaf. Their connection starts with a simple tap on the knee and blooms into an honest, delicate exchange through sign language. As the subway grinds through delays, detours, and sweltering impatience, their conversation unfolds in gestures, glances, and quiet revelations. April, a welder unbothered by noise, and Sam, who has always preferred the clarity of sign over the ambiguity of words, discover a space between them that feels like peace—without pretense or performance. A one-train ride becomes a turning point. A first touch becomes a promise. And a night of delays leads to something they both weren’t looking for—but deeply needed.
CSIFF Award: 2021 - Best Film + Best Screenwriter winner
(Language: American Sign language + English Subtitles)
"Fuego" written & directed by Puerto Rican-Mexican American filmmaker Edwin Franko
FUEGO (2022) is a reflective short film that follows Gio, a stagnant bartender caught between past and present, as he shares a story with two regulars at the bar. Watching an old VHS tape of his father dancing salsa, Gio recalls the advice he never quite understood—about life, passion, and keeping one’s "fuego" alive. Through memory, music, and moments of self-awareness, Gio finally begins to understand what fueled his father—and what might finally spark his own fire.
CSIFF Award: 2021 - Best Screenplay
(Language: English)
"Victorine" written & directed by Haitian American filmmaker Lunise Cerin
On the one year anniversary of her mother's passing a Haitian American dancer claims her place in a long line of powerful women.
CSIFF24 Award Nominee
(Language: English, Haitian Creole (w/English subtitles)
"Raices" written & directed by Puerto Rican filmmaker Misael Martinez
The sinking of a cargo ship serves as a warning for a Caribbean island. In "Raíces," we explore Puerto Rico's pursuit of food sovereignty from an intimate perspective, considering the impact of colonialism and the efforts of grassroots movements to reduce dependence on imported food. Each of these initiatives contributes to a shared goal of food sovereignty and empowerment, from urban gardens revitalizing concrete landscapes to non-profit organizations promoting economic self-sufficiency. Despite the challenges, hope flourishes in the fertile soil of resilience and unity.
CSIFF24 Award Nominee
(Language: Spanish w/ English subtitles)
"See You Yesterday" written & directed by Guyanese American filmmaker Stefon Bristol
From executive producer, Spike Lee, this film follows two Brooklyn teenage science prodigies who build make-shift time machines to stop one's brother from being wrongfully killed by a police officer.
CSIFF Award: 2024 - Best Student Film + Best Cinematographer
(Language: English)
Why Attend?
Watch compelling short films that reflect the richness and complexity of Caribbean heritage & meet filmmakers.
About SONS OF AN UNKNOWN FATHER
Sons of an Unknown Father tells the story of the first Black saint of the Americas, Martin de Porres. Born into slavery in Lima, Peru in the 1600s, Martin aspired to break through the chains of his bondage by devoting his life to the Catholic Church. But no matter how virtuous Martin was, nothing could break through the barriers of his oppression. Until one day, Martin discovers he has the power to heal people with his bare hands. Suddenly viewed as the second son of God, people come from far and wide to meet the man with the magic hands. Martin's burden becomes too much and he is forced to make a decision - self-preservation or self-sacrifice?
Language: English & Spanish
THEMES EXPLORED:
Faith, fatherhood, family, redemption
About THE BUZZER
AMELIA and her longtime partner MATTHEW are applying to foster a kid. The Newark homeowners, though of color, are considered part of the gentrifying wave that's radically changing the city. They are reminded of this fact loudly and often by their sole tenant, OCTAVIA. The couple navigates the surprise of Amelia's ex, DAVIDA unexpectedly showing up to evaluate the couple's foster application. When young TALARIQ becomes AMELIA and MATTHEW’s foster son, the couple's collective and individual understandings of class, race/ethnicity, family, sexuality and love are strained and tested.
Language: English
THEMES EXPLORED:
class, race/ethnicity, family, sexuality and love
CAsting notice! Submission deadline July 31st, 2025
Production details: Actor stipend: $125
Zoom Rehearsals(up to 10hrs)
Aug 27 or 28 (3hrs)
Sept 11 or 13 (4hrs)
Sept 17 or 19 (3hrs)
In-Person Rehearsals(up to 6hrs): Location- in Manhattan (TBD)
Sept 29 (3hrs)
Oct 1 (3hrs)
Performance date: Oct 2nd
Performance location: Forest Hills Library 108-09 71st Avenue Forest Hills, Queens
Performance time: 5:30pm-7:30pm
THE BUZZER
a play by chandra thomas
Synopsis:
AMELIA and her longtime partner MATTHEW are applying to foster a kid. The Newark homeowners, though of color, are considered part of the gentrifying wave that's radically changing the city. They are reminded of this fact loudly and often by their sole tenant, OCTAVIA. The couple navigates the surprise of Amelia's ex, DAVIDA unexpectedly showing up to evaluate the couple's foster application. When young TALARIQ becomes AMELIA and MATTHEW’s foster son, the couple's collective and individual understandings of class, race/ethnicity, family, sexuality and love are strained and tested.
CHARACTER BREAKDOWN:
AMELIA CABRAL – she/her, Black, mid 30s
independent minded, smart, struggling to find her way, feels pulled in different directions; longtime partner/girlfriend to Matthew.
MATTHEW DUTTA – he/him, South Asian, mid 30s
charming, intelligent, always looking for solutions where others see problems; longtime partner/boyfriend to Amelia.
DAVIDA OLIVERA – she/they, Latine, mid 30s
extremely loyal and dedicated, but broken when betrayed; takes her job very seriously.
TALARIQ TOMPKINS – he/him, Black, early teens
warms up slowly; though he has never attended school regularly, he’s smart way beyond his age. Seeking 18+ to play younger.
MISS OCTAVIA JACKSON – she/her, Black, early-mid 60s
lived in Newark most of her life; has an opinion about everything (and read “everything” as meaning everything!)
**As this play leans comedy, actively seeking ACTORS WITH STRONG COMEDIC SENSIBILITIES.
NON-EQUITY PRODUCTION
Join conch shell productions' actor list
We are thankful for the amazingly talented community of actors who have breathed life into the characters imagined and written by the CSP community playwrights of the years. If you would like to be considered for future readings and productions, click the link below and submit your info.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about our upcoming events, or opportunities to support our mission, feel free to email us.
CONCH SHELL PRODUCTIONS INC
Queens, New York, New York 11367, United States
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