Actor, model and broadcaster Justin Awn is calling for greater efforts to be employed in order to boost Jamaica’s promising film industry.

Awn, who many remember for his role as Farouk Tavares on The Blackburns of Royal Palm Estate was, in November 2024, honoured by Jollywood Jamaica for outstanding achievement in the entertainment sector.

“There are three key words that have a similar meaning: marketing, advertising, and promotion. We need a massive boost of that as much as possible. There are many different forms of art/entertainment and Jamaica has a nice pool of talent. There are so many creative people on the island. The industry is still growing and in order for any industry to grow there must first be a community of unified people. We are a small island in the sun—paradise. There are not that many in the industry. If we combine our forces we can be stronger together and grow towards a brighter future for all. Surround yourself with others that are on your same mission and push through together. There is strength in unity. We are stronger together. Buy Jamaican, build Jamaica,” he told Observer Online.

Justin Awn

The prestigious ceremony was held in New Kingston and saw a street being blocked off for smooth proceedings. Also honored were Barbara Blake-Hannah, Munair Zacca, Shauna Chin, Fae Ellington, Michael Tingling, Lachu Ramchandani, Jeffery Anderson-Gunter, Michale Nicholson, Bobby Smith and others.

In the meantime, Awn holds this accolade in high regard, especially after all he has managed to accomplish in his longstanding career.

“I have been working in the entertainment industry as an actor for many years now along with doing many other things within the creative sector locally and abroad. For example, being on the number one show in the Caribbean for 10 years (Royal Palm Estate) along with getting opportunities to work on Gotham (Batman), Law & Order SVU, Blue Bloods and many others. Jollywood Jamaica is the only entity in Jamaica that actually highlights Jamaican actors and other people in Jamaica doing good things on an equal level. They have been doing that for a while now and it feels great to be recognized for my contributions. I do it for the love of it so I never expect things like this to happen. They placed my handprint, footprint and autograph in cement which is now located in their museum…,” he explained.

Awn has modeled in the United States for international brands such as Polo, Macy’s, Arden B, Coach, Victoria’s Secret, Ralph Lauren, Nautica and French Connection.

He has several other projects in the works that will be premiered in due course.

“I just came back from filming in the States. I worked on a few other projects that are currently being released in theaters in New York and Washington DC along with Howard University. One full length feature film and two short films which include The Facility and Home. I don’t play a gangster in these films which I normally get casted for so these are completely different. I’m actually filming in Jamaica at the moment for a few other film productions that will be released in a few months once filming wraps. These are being done by Goodvybz Entertainment, of which I’ve worked with for about 10-15 years on different film productions. (Everything Gone Wrong, The L.O.V.E. & Trance). I am also working on a project for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital along with other projects in the making,” he said.