Film intervention launched in honour of slain Barbadian teen

A film initiative aimed at helping to combat youth violence has been launched by local producer Kerri Birch.

Titled “Once Upon a Frame”, the project serves as a tribute to 13-year-old Shawnathon Chase, who was fatally shot while watching a netball game at a community hard court in Silver Hill, Christ Church, last year.

Reflecting on the loss of the young author, Birch stated that Shawnathon’s story reflects “a growing pattern that is reshaping communities, unsettling families, and placing an entire generation at risk.”

Developed alongside 13 Degrees North Productions and Shawnathon’s parents, Sean and Zabida, the project will adapt stories written by youth into four films. This includes “Kite Heist”, penned by Shawnathon himself, and “Intergalactic Pup”, which Birch revealed “will be a fully AI-generated film.

The completed projects are slated for broadcast on state television and at international film festivals.

Birch argued that violence thrives “in environments where young people feel unseen, unheard, and without viable pathways”.

Through this initiative, she explained, “imagination replaces idleness, collaboration replaces isolation, and purpose replaces risk”, while equipping teenagers with economically viable production skills.

The project will be backed by corporate sponsors, and discussions are reportedly being held with representatives of the Ministry of Innovation, Industry, Science and Technology on the initiative.

Birch urged wider national support for vulnerable youth, concluding, “The question here is not whether we can afford to invest in programmes like these, but whether we can afford not to.”