The cast and production team of Jamaican psychological thriller Stew Peas are gearing up for Saturday’s inaugural Caribbean Film Awards, where the locally produced film will be vying for honours in six categories.

Among those in contention is popular Jamaican entertainer Kerry-Ann “Chiney K” Collins, who earned a Best Actress nomination for her role in the film.

The production, written, directed and produced by Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly, is also nominated for best feature film, best director, best screenplay, Caribbean Heritage Film Award and Caribbean Film of the Year.

With the awards ceremony just a day away, the nominations have once again placed the spotlight on the Jamaican thriller, which has been making strides both locally and internationally.

The recognition comes ahead of the film’s regional theatrical release on October 29, when it is scheduled to open in seven Caribbean territories through Caribbean Cinemas.

The rollout will include Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua, Guyana, St Lucia, St Kitts and the US Virgin Islands, ahead of a limited United States theatrical release in January 2027.

According to production company iKon Media & Films, Stew Peas will become the first Jamaican film distributed by Caribbean Cinemas, marking a significant milestone for the local film industry.

The thriller follows Detective Tessa Riley as she investigates the murder of her best friend, unaware that a mysterious housekeeper is secretly working to destroy her marriage.

Drawing on Jamaican folklore and West African spiritual traditions, the film stars Collins alongside Tarique Barrett, Shernet Swearine and Quera South. It was filmed entirely in Kingston.

Following its premiere at Carib 5 in Kingston on June 27, the film opened in cinemas across Jamaica on July 22 and has maintained a presence on local screens.

Speaking recently about the film’s growing regional reach, Nixon-Kelly welcomed the support for Caribbean productions.

“Every new territory confirms what we’ve known all along: Caribbean audiences are hungry for authentic, homegrown cinema, told in our own voice on the big screen,” she said.

The six nominations now present another opportunity for Stew Peas to gain regional recognition as the Jamaican production awaits Saturday’s awards ceremony.