As the première of a movie approaches, even the most seasoned Hollywood actor, director or producer gets the jitters. It is no different for Jamaican Fernando Edwards, whose Rooted Betrayal débuts March 25 on Amazon Prime and Tubi.

Edwards stars in, produces, and directs the 30-minute psychological thriller. It is the biggest project he has been involved in since moving to Los Angeles 10 years ago.

“I am feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity. While I can’t wait to share my work with the world, I also know that there is still a lot of work to be done. I am putting in a lot of effort to market the film over the next six months while I still finalise platform placement as the first month goes along. However, I am eager to see how audiences will react to it,” said Edwards.

He disclosed that it took two years to complete the project in which he plays Andre. The other main character is Stacy, portrayed by Suely Ramos.

Edwards did not reveal the budget for Rooted Betrayal, but said most of it came from personal funds.

Naturally, he hopes it can give him a break in competitive Hollywood.

“This film has been a labour of love, and I believe it has the potential to boost my career to new heights. However, getting to this point has not been without its difficulties. I faced challenges with scheduling and coordinating with other titles in the same genre. Despite these setbacks, I will remain focused and committed to my original dates,” he said.

Edwards is from Portmore in St Catherine, Jamaica, and is a past student of Bridgeport High School. He earned a scholarship to Missouri Baptist University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business management.

Intrigued by the film industry, he moved to Los Angeles, where he enrolled in acting classes and learned other aspects of the business.

He has appeared in the HBO drama Ballers, and played Shooter in She Ball, the 2020 comedy starring Nick Cannon, Cedric The Entertainer, and Chris Brown.