On this Jamaican Independence Day, a moment for celebration, reflection, and cultural pride, filmmaker and author Max-Arthur Mantle is boldly reclaiming the narrative around Jamaican queerness with his upcoming feature film, BATTY BWOY!. The film, currently in pre-production, is a groundbreaking cinematic project that centers the Black, queer Caribbean experience through the story of Mark Palmer, a young Jamaican man navigating the cost of love, truth, and visibility in a society that still criminalizes same-sex relationships.
Mantle, whose 2015 novel Batty Bwoy received critical acclaim for its unapologetic portrayal of queer Caribbean life, is now bringing that story to the screen. But the road to production has been anything but easy. Despite growing support in the diaspora, Mantle faces both emotional and financial hurdles, especially due to the lack of institutional support from Jamaica itself. Still, the filmmaker presses forward, determined to shift hearts and minds through one of the most powerful tools of all: storytelling.
“This film is not a ‘Come Back to Jamaica’ tourist advertisement — it’s a social impact film addressing one of Jamaica’s ugliest scars,” Mantle told GLAAD.
With a stellar cast including Jamaican-American actor David Reivers, Obie Award-winner Sheldon Best, trailblazing trans model Connie Fleming, and rising star Damian Thompson in the lead role, Batty Bwoy promises to be more than just a film for the queer Jamaican community.
Though Mantle has faced a lack of funding from his home country due to cultural pushback, he’s leaning into international solidarity to bring the project to life. This Independence Day, BATTY BWOY! serves as both a reclamation and a revolution, a defiant declaration that Jamaican queerness is not only valid, but vital.
The film is still in pre-production and needs support. Those interested in contributing financially, in-kind, or through partnership opportunities can reach out via info@battybwoy.com. Donations can be made through its GoFundMe campaign here. You can also follow the project on Instagram at @battybwoyfilm.
GLAAD spoke to BATTY BWOY!’s creator and cast about the challenges, power, and promise of bringing this landmark film to life.
GLAAD with Max-Arthur Mantle (Writer/Director)
GLAAD: You’re making history with BATTY BWOY! and you’ve been candid about the lack of financial support from Jamaica due to cultural pushback. How are you navigating the emotional and logistical toll of telling a story your homeland isn’t ready to embrace?
Mantle: Jamaica still criminalizes being gay. The anti-gay laws — remnants of British colonial rule — make consensual same-sex relations punishable by up to ten years in prison. This means government funding for film projects often censors any content that challenges these laws. Many private sector allies are afraid to support the film openly, fearing backlash.
There’s a deep-rooted hypocrisy in Jamaican society. LGBTQ people exist in every sector, often contributing significantly, but their identities are ignored or denied. The country, in some areas, has reached “tolerance,” but it has not reached acceptance.
When I changed the title from The Other Bwoy to BATTY BWOY! , it was like dropping a bomb. The new title — taken from my novel — is raw, defiant, and necessary. I’m reclaiming a slur meant to shame us.
I’ve been away from Jamaica for over thirty years, and I’ve decided not to return until the production begins. It’s heavy — emotionally and mentally. There’s trauma there. But my goal is not tourism. My film is about truth, resilience, and hope. It’s for that closeted boy in Jamaica who feels invisible — to let him know he is not alone, and it gets better.
GLAAD: In telling Mark Palmer’s story — of a young man risking everything for love and selfhood — what emotional truths were non-negotiable for you to include?
Mantle: First, that being gay is not a lifestyle or a choice. That idea still lingers in Jamaica, and it’s harmful. God doesn’t make mistakes. Mark’s struggle comes from societal hate, not from being gay.
I also wanted to highlight “polite homophobia,” especially in uptown Jamaica. These are families who don’t throw their kids out, but who push them toward conversion therapy, or insist they pray the gay away. It’s more insidious.
Finally, authenticity in casting was key. Jamaican characters have often been reduced to caricatures in Hollywood. I insisted on a Jamaican-led cast who know this story — who’ve lived it or stood beside it. That makes all the difference.
GLAAD: Beyond visibility, what kind of social impact do you hope this film can have?
Mantle: In Jamaica and the Caribbean, we need to move from tolerance to respect and acceptance. “Batty Bwoy” is a term meant to dehumanize. I want us to take that back. Reclaim it.
Regionally, the LGBTQ movement is facing setbacks. From Puerto Rico to Trinidad and even back in Jamaica — we’re seeing legal rights rolled back. And with anti-LGBTQ sentiment growing globally, including in the U.S., the Caribbean feels that impact. “When America sneezes, the Caribbean gets a cold.”
This film can be a global wake-up call. It’s a message that love and dignity transcend borders, and that queer Caribbean lives matter, not just for what we contribute, but for who we are.
GLAAD: How can people help bring BATTY BWOY! to life? What does solidarity look like right now?
Mantle: We need co-production partners from the U.S., UK, and Canada. We’re open to private investors, brand sponsorships, and equipment donations from filmmakers. Even one day of donated gear or time can make a difference.
We have fiscal sponsorship through Healing with Hope, so donations are tax-deductible. We’re also crowdfunding here.
Follow us on Instagram at @battybwoyfilm and spread the word. Visibility builds momentum. And if you believe in the power of stories to change lives, this is one to invest in.
From the Cast of Batty Bwoy
GLAAD: What drew you to BATTY BWOY! and this particular story?
David Reivers (Mason): Being Jamaican-born, I was very pleased to see a script that used Jamaica as the backdrop. I’m an ally, and this story shines a light on the real struggles of the LGBTQ+ community — especially in a place like Jamaica. It’s a powerful story about resilience and overcoming life’s challenges, and I wanted to be a part of that.
GLAAD: The film challenges some of the most dangerous silences in Caribbean culture. What kind of conversations do you hope your performance will spark?
Damian Thompson (Mark Palmer): I want audiences to feel something — to be moved. My goal is to spark conversations about humanity, about what we uplift in others. We’re more alike than we think. Rather than judging how someone got to where they are, recognize that they made it. That’s the spirit of BATTY BWOY! .
GLAAD: As an actor, especially if you identify as Caribbean or queer, how did this story speak to you personally?
Sheldon Best (Bruce): Both sides of my family are Caribbean, half from Jamaica. So just hearing the title “Batty Bwoy” gave me goosebumps. I know this story. It’s deeply personal. It’s healing to be seen in a narrative like this to know others will feel that same recognition. And doing it in patois? That’s the icing on the cake.
GLAAD: You’ve broken barriers as a Jamaican-born trans model, and in BBATTY BWOY! , you’re cast in a cisgender role. What did it mean to you to be included in this story beyond identity-based casting?
Connie Fleming (Sarah): As an Afro-Caribbean American trans woman, it’s incredibly affirming to be part of this project. Art is about reflecting the human experience — and that transcends gender. This role gave me the opportunity to connect with a story that is about truth, complexity, and beauty. That’s what I live for as an artist.
Batty Bwoy is a call to action, a love letter to the queer Caribbean community, and a long-overdue reclaiming of space in cinema.
This Jamaican Independence Day, as the island celebrates its freedom, Batty Bwoy dares to ask: What does liberation look like for all Jamaicans?
Follow the journey at @battybwoyfilm, and be part of the movement to bring this revolutionary story to life.
Donate to the GoFundMe here: https://gofund.me/83c04d50
