American filmmaker James Williams returns to his alma mater Howard University on October 10 for a pre-screening of Squatta, his first movie. The event is part of the Washington DC-based school’s annual homecoming celebrations.

Williams began production on Squatta last year in Georgia. He has done two rounds of filming in Jamaica, most recently in June when scenes were shot mainly in Kingston.

Squatta, an urban drama, has a strong Jamaican presence, with actors Christopher Daley, Stokley Brown and Kadeem Wilson having substantive roles. Daley, Wilson and dancehall deejay Mr Easy (who has a role in the film), will participate in the Howard panel discussion.

Williams expects Squatta to be released this year. The Maryland-born director is looking forward to introducing it to the film faculty at Howard, where he graduated from in 2008.

“I’ve long stayed connected with the faculty at the film school and to finally return with this project to kick off homecoming is one of the biggest honours of my life,” said Williams.

Howard University is arguably the most acclaimed of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the United States. Its film school graduates include Phylicia Rashad of The Cosby Show; Taraji P Henson (Baby Boy, Empire) and Chadwick Boseman, star of Black Panther, the 2018 blockbuster movie.

Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in radio, television and film from Howard University. A United States Army veteran, he left the military after 21 years with the rank of captain.

His initial draft for Squatta was made in 2008 after observing the dynamics of a communal settlement during a visit to Trinidad and Tobago. Williams updated that rough cut while in Kingston several years later, and saw similar communities.

The first scenes for the movie were shot in Warrenton, Georgia in early 2025. Squatta has a budget of US$250,000.

— Howard Campbell