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.”