Throughout his life, Dexter Copeland says he has never failed to notice the suffering the people of Linden, his hometown, have endured as well as the way they have overcome their struggles.
It is with this in mind that Copeland, a filmmaker, actor and musician, decided to bring awareness through his films to their often unseen stories of triumph.
Copeland, recently announced as the winner in the age 21 and over category of the 2019 Digicel Pan Caribbean Film Competition, told Stabroek Weekend that he always dreamed of becoming a filmmaker and so when he was old enough, he decided to pursue his dream. He began shooting films in 2016 and immediately decided to film persons in his community, whose stories and voices aren’t often heard. “I was inspired by seeing how nature accepts an individual when others neglect the needs of the people that [are] less fortunate and to see how a kind gesture can carry someone far away,” he said. “My mission is to be able to continue to using my talents to creatively bring about positive change in my society,” he added, before noting that his motto is “Create to inspire.”
For Copeland, the most challenging part of his journey so far has been the fear that he is not good enough to be on the international stage. “It was a mental battle,” he noted, before saying that he eventually overcame his fear. He said he became persistent and kept focusing on his goal, which made him gain the needed confidence.
With his newfound confidence and the encouragement of a friend, Diana Chapman, Copeland entered the film competition, which was designed to identify talented persons from the Caribbean and take them to the Turks and Caicos International Film Festival to showcase their work.
Copeland entered his short film, titled “The Journey,” which tells the story of a young vagrant who is helped to develop his talent.
When he posted the film on his Facebook page, Copeland noted that it was shot in half a day without any high end audio equipment, that the script was done in an hour, and that the actors had short notice.
Throughout the process he remained optimistic and when he was announced as the winner, Copeland said that he could not contain himself but he remained humble. He said he is extremely grateful to the people who voted for his film in the contest and to those who have supported him through the process. Everything, he said, would not have been possible without them and representatives of Digicel. Apart from the public voting, the winners in the various categories were also selected by a panel of judges. (Another Guyanese, Aderes Thompson, won in the 13 to 17 category for his short film, “A Day in the Life of a GTI student.”)
“I am hoping it will place me in a better position to help develop the film industry in my native country, Guyana, and throughout the Caribbean,” Copeland said before revealing that he will be showing the film in this year’s Turks & Caicos International Film Festival, to which he won a trip. “I understand that winning this competition has catapulted me onto an international stage and I am ready for the heightened responsibility it comes with,” he stated.
An eager Copeland disclosed that he is looking forward to learning essential industry information at the film festival, which will empower him and those in the industry, especially from his home community. In addition, he said, he is excited about networking with other filmmakers and is hopeful that he will be presented with the opportunity to collaborate with a Hollywood filmmaker and become inspiration to not only Guyanese, but to persons from all over the world who may be second-guessing their talent.
Copeland said he will continue to use his talents in film responsibly, especially since he will be filming real-life stories, which he hopes can resonate with audiences. “I am looking forward to a lifetime of great experiences in film,” he added.
The Turks and Caicos Film Festival opened on Friday and will conclude on Monday.