The Jamaica Media Alliance (JMA) is a beacon of empowerment, dedicated to amplifying Jamaican voices and stories on the global stage. Our mission is to foster a thriving Jamaican entertainment industry by providing education, training, and support to local talent.
We are a collective of passionate individuals, rooted in the rich tapestry of Jamaican culture, working tirelessly to create opportunities for our community.
We believe in building a strong foundation within Jamaica, collaborating with existing institutions to enhance their capacity and reach. By nurturing a vibrant ecosystem, we aim to create sustainable jobs and economic growth for our people.
We are committed to authentic partnerships that celebrate Jamaican culture and heritage. Our approach is rooted in respect, collaboration, and a deep understanding of the Jamaican spirit.
Together, we are building a platform that showcases the world the brilliance and diversity of Jamaica’s creative talent. Join us in this journey as we empower Jamaican storytellers, enriching lives and inspiring generations to come.
Championing Industry Growth: We advocate for policies and legislation that create a thriving media ecosystem in Jamaica
Empowering the Next Generation: Investing in education and skills development to foster a skilled and empowered workforce
Attracting Global Talent: Encouraging international productions to choose Jamaica as their filming destination
Driving Economic Impact: Leveraging the power of media to boost tourism and contribute to Jamaica’s overall economic prosperity
Jamaica Media Alliance (JMA) empowers Jamaican storytellers by fostering a thriving local film industry, attracting international collaborations, and providing comprehensive support to nurture the next generation of talent.
JMA’s beloved founder Paul S. Eckstein maintained a long-time attachment to Jamaica. His understanding of character, and ability to bring strong stories to the screen, made him one of the
most sought-after show-runners in the industry.
(During the pandemic he moved his entire writer’s room for the series he created, “Godfather of Harlem”, to beautiful Treasure Beach, Jamaica.)
Paul’s dream was to support the existing Jamaican film industry through building out the infrastructure; attracting investment in equipment and state-of-the-art soundstages, matched with training programs to encourage local talent, helping to kick-start more local projects while attracting sustainable outside productions to the Island.
In June, 2023 Paul invited a small group of industry friends to join him for their first trip to the Island. He spent two weeks introducing them to some of the most prominent members of the Jamaican film community. Their eyes were opened to the magic of Jamaica, as well as the potential from its strategic location in the English-speaking Caribbean, experienced film production teams, and its vast variety of locations.
As part of their visit, they took part in screenwriter’s workshops, and attended the Caribbean’s foremost literary festival, Calabash. Paul shared with them the authentic Jamaica he had come to
love over the years – reflected in the country’s motto “Out of Many, One People.”
On the last day of that visit, the guests went to pick him up on their way to the airport, and discovered Paul’s body in his room. He had passed peacefully into his next chapter.
Paul’s passing galvanized the Jamaican film community to rally behind his vision, and to embrace the outsiders with whom he had shared his dream.
Among those privileged guests were John Buffalo Mailer, an industry veteran with over 25 movies to his credit. Buffalo enlisted his friend and colleague George Jarkesy, (an outside-of-the-box thinker when it comes to developing new industries and enhancing existing ones) to help the
group form a non-profit with the mission of enhancing education and opportunities for Jamaica’s film and TV industry.
This infusion of talent, resources, and networking immediately attracted
other strong supporters of the industry, both on and off the Island.
The Jamaica Media Alliance was born!