Home Features British-Guyanese film-maker James Vancooten to premiere local film in Guyana, launch new...
James Vancooten, a British-Guyanese director and film-maker, is returning to his roots in a major way: with the premiere of his locally produced film The Turf, and the official launch of his production company in Guyana.
Born in London, England, Vancooten moved to Guyana at the age of six, where he spent his childhood living with his grandparents and attending Mae’s Under 12 and Mae’s Secondary School in Georgetown. His early years in the capital city left a lasting impression, shaping his perspective and creative voice.
Now based in the United Kingdom, Vancooten has built a successful career in film, starting as a runner and eventually working his way up to camera assistant on a number of large-scale productions.
His team has contributed to projects for major platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime, working under subcontracted roles on titles like Blue Story (£12 million budget), Wolf, Jingle All the Way, and Sumotherhood (£2 million budget).
At the same time, his independent projects have gained significant traction online, with several earning over a million views on YouTube. His work has also received accolades from the UK film scene, including Best Director (2019, UK Entertainment Awards) and Best Short Film (2016, Channel U Awards).
Now, Vancooten, 40, is bringing his experience home.
His latest film, The Turf, is a passion-project, shot entirely in Guyana. It tells the story of two young people from different regions whose lives unexpectedly collide.
The cast features local talent, including amateur boxer Trevlon Clarke, music artists Alex Bourne also known as “Falon Loc”, and Anthony Vancooten also known as “Dun P”; and student-actor Steffon Marques.
The production was made on a modest budget of just under GYD500,000, supported by local sponsors SIAG Security and Tolo & Sons Construction Ltd.
An exclusive premiere of The Turf will take place on August 22, 2025, for a select group of industry figures and community leaders. A limited number of tickets will be made available to the public.
The film will then be released publicly via YouTube on August 26, 2025, to ensure accessibility for viewers across the country and the world.
As part of this new chapter, Vancooten is also launching a Guyana-based branch of his UK production company. The goal is clear: to invest in local talent, improve production standards, and build a sustainable film industry within Guyana.
“I chose Guyana as the filming location because I am deeply committed to supporting and improving the quality of film-making in the country. This film represents my way of giving back to a place that has played a pivotal role in shaping who I am,” Vancooten said.
Meanwhile, the new company will offer hands-on training in all aspects of film-making—from directing and cinematography to editing and acting. Vancooten plans to partner with schools, universities, and local government agencies to deliver workshops and mentorship programs across the country.
His UK-based team, which regularly works on professional productions, is prepared to travel to Guyana and assist with this initiative.
In addition to directing and producing, Vancooten is also an actor and has starred in two of his major films, Chance The Movie and The Take Over Film.
With the premiere of The Turf, and the launch of his production company in Guyana, James Vancooten is planting the seeds of a new creative era – one where home-grown stories are told with authenticity, quality, and pride.
