Independent Documentary Filmmaking in Jamaica An Interview with Esther Figueroa

Esther Figueroa, PhD, is an independent Jamaican filmmaker with over twentyfive years of experience in political documentary cinema. A self-taught activist filmmaker, her work focuses on local knowledge, Indigenous cultures, social injustice, community empowerment and, most recently, environmental issues. Her poignant documentaries give voice to those outside of mainstream media and aim to counter dominant narratives and practices that are driven by commercial and political interests. This interview, which took place via Skype on 20 September 2010, concentrates on Figueroa’s documentary work in Jamaica, particularly her latest feature-length documentary Jamaica for Sale 2009/2010), and discusses her filmmaking career in the context of Caribbean cinema and society.