From Opening Night to Double Awards—Akley Olton Dominates GFF 2025

Georgetown, Guyana – August 18, 2025

The Georgetown Film Festival (GFF) 2025 celebrated the remarkable contributions of Vincentian filmmaker Akley Olton, whose films Parliament Girls and Madulu, The Seaman earned both critical acclaim and audience admiration. Olton’s body of work, deeply rooted in Caribbean culture and social commentary, underscores the region’s rising influence in global cinema.

Opening the festival, Olton’s 20-minute thriller Parliament Girls, co-written with JP Schwmon, tackled the urgent issue of violence against women in Guyana. The screening was followed by a powerful community dialogue led by activist Sherlina Nageer, demonstrating Olton’s ability to use film as a catalyst for social change and cementing his role as a transformative figure in Caribbean storytelling.

Closing the festival, Olton’s award-winning documentary Madulu, The Seaman captivated audiences, winning both the Audience Award and the Programmers’ Award (Documentary). Set in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the film follows young Omari as he engages with the cultural traditions and resilience of the Barrouallie Whalers, offering a profound exploration of heritage and identity.

“Winning these awards in Guyana, my mother’s homeland, is a deeply personal milestone,” Olton shared. “Madulu and my other works aim to celebrate and preserve Caribbean stories while sparking meaningful dialogue.”

Madulu, The Seaman has already marked historic achievements on the international stage. Participated in the IF/Then + Hulu Short Film Lab, it premiered at Hot Docs—North America’s largest documentary festival—before continuing its successful festival run across Cuba, the UK, Europe and the wider Caribbean. In 2024, the film was licensed by the Criterion Channel, one of the most prestigious collections of cinema in the world, making Olton’s work one of the rare Caribbean films to take its place alongside the greatest works of cinematic history.

The film’s trajectory continues, with an official selection at the Trinidad & Tobago Film Festival 2025, and its presentation—alongside Olton’s earlier documentary Sugar Lands—at CARIFESTA XV. These milestones reinforce Olton’s growing prominence in the region’s cultural landscape and highlight the global significance of Caribbean cinema.

The Georgetown Film Festival, a leading platform for innovative and socially impactful films, continues to elevate voices like Olton’s, whose work bridges cultural preservation with global conversations and helps redefine the Caribbean’s place in world cinema.

Media Contact:[Akley Olton][Akleyolton@gmail.com][1 784 496 4287]

About Akley Olton

Akley Olton is a Vincentian filmmaker whose work celebrates Caribbean identity, resilience, and social issues. His films—including Parliament Girls, Madulu, The Seaman, and Sugar Lands—have earned regional and international recognition for their compelling narratives and cultural significance. With his groundbreaking achievements at Hot Docs and the Criterion Channel, Olton is solidifying his contribution to the Caribbean’s creative industries and positioning Vincentian cinema on the global stage.

About Georgetown Film Festival

The Georgetown Film Festival is Guyana’s premier platform for showcasing innovative and socially relevant films, fostering dialogue, and celebrating Caribbean storytelling.

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