Gumbs’ short film, The Chair, was featured in the festival’s programme at Otrobanda Movies, standing out among various regional productions, including Good Neighbor and Mangrove. Although not part of the official competition, the film was positively received by audiences and fellow filmmakers alike.
Starring David Hooker and Rueben Lopes, The Chair delivers a compelling narrative in four minutes, demonstrating Gumbs’ emerging talent and storytelling ability. Audience members were engaged by the film’s message and several approached her to discuss her inspiration and creative process.
During a visit to the local market, Marche Bieuw, Gumbs was approached by Yurani Panjab, who expressed interest in her work and inquired about her journey into filmmaking. Many others showed similar curiosity, asking about her background, creative influences, and aspirations for future projects.
Reflecting on the experience, Gumbs shared the following message:
“The festival is a great opportunity to learn, meet new people, and get inspired. If you have a dream, chase it. Never give up on yourself, even when it gets tough. Opportunities like these show us that our stories matter too.”
The festival brought together filmmakers and storytellers from across the region, including entries from Curaçao, French Guiana, Colombia, Panama, Santo Domingo, and Suriname. Gumbs described the event as inspiring and eye-opening, noting that it has given her further motivation to continue developing future creative projects.
This participation reflects the island’s growing presence on regional cultural platforms and highlights the importance of continued support for local artistic talent. The Statian community continues to make meaningful contributions to the broader Caribbean cultural landscape.
The Statia Government commends Ms Gumbs for her dedication to the arts and for representing the island on a regional stage. Her presence at the Curaçao International Film Festival is a testament to the potential of Statian creatives and the value of investing in our youth and cultural expression. We remain committed to supporting initiatives that promote creativity, empower young people, and share Statian stories with the world.
