MGM+ has unveiled first-look images of Cameron Monaghan and Omari Hardwick in Bosch: Start of Watch, the upcoming prequel to the hit crime drama, premiering January 10.

Based on Michael Connelly’s bestselling novels, the eight-episode series takes place in 1992 Los Angeles, following a 26-year-old Harry Bosch (Monaghan) as he begins his career as a rookie police officer. Hardwick plays veteran officer Eli Bridges.

As racial tensions, gang violence and corruption plague the city and the LAPD, Bosch becomes entangled in a high-profile heist that challenges his loyalty and helps shape the detective he will become.

The cast also includes Ariana Guerra as Rosa, JD Pardo as Cory, Kathleen Wilhoite, William Fichtner, Rafi Gavron, Raphael Sbarge, Azita Ghanizada, Kenneth Miller, Seamus Dever, Ryan McPartlin, Marco Rodriguez and Shelli Boone.

Produced by Fabel Entertainment, Bosch: Start of Watch is co-created and executive produced by Tom Bernardo and Brian Anthony, with Bernardo serving as showrunner. Connelly, Henrik Bastin, Jamie Boscardin Martin, Stephen Kay and Jasmine Russ also executive produce, alongside Theresa Snider for Hieronymus Pictures and co-executive producer Mark Douglas.

Donald Glover is taking on a major creative role in Netflix’s upcoming live-action adaptation of PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), the hit battle royale video game from KRAFTON.

Glover is attached to star in, direct, write and executive produce the series, which is currently in development at Netflix. His brother and longtime creative collaborator, Stephen Glover, will also contribute as a writer and executive producer, bringing their established creative partnership to another major television project.

The series will be based on PUBG: Battlegrounds, the multiplayer survival shooter that launched in 2017 and helped bring the battle royale genre into the mainstream. The game drops players into a large combat environment where they must gather supplies, outmaneuver opponents and survive until only one player or team remains.

While the game has built a massive global following, its premise presents an interesting opportunity for the creative team to develop an original narrative for television. Plot details, additional casting announcements and a potential release date have not yet been revealed. The project is among Netflix’s growing slate of video game adaptations.

The Glover brothers bring extensive experience in television and film to the project. Donald Glover is best known for creating and starring in the acclaimed FX series Atlanta, as well as his roles in Community, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and several major film productions. His work across acting, writing, directing and music has established him as a multifaceted creative force in entertainment.

Stephen Glover has worked alongside his brother on Atlanta and Mr. & Mrs. Smith, among other projects. Their creative partnership also extends to Swarm and the musical film Guava Island, making the new adaptation another opportunity for the brothers to develop a distinctive vision together.

The project’s executive producing team also includes Michael Schaefer for NEON TV, Fam Udeorji for Gilga, and Taeseok Jang and Sujin Lee for LV3H, KRAFTON’s entertainment-focused subsidiary involved in developing and producing original content based on the gaming franchise.

The announcement adds PUBG to Netflix’s expanding collection of video game adaptations, as the streaming platform continues to develop projects based on established gaming properties. With Glover taking the lead both in front of and behind the camera, the series has the potential to explore the franchise beyond its competitive gameplay.

Juccee Shorts has released the official trailer for Worst Roommate Ever, a romantic comedy about unexpected living arrangements, messy relationship histories, and the surprising connections that can emerge when two people are forced out of their comfort zones.

The story follows Dannie (Phaedra Syndelle), a social butterfly who believes she can fake it until she makes it, until she discovers that the man she has been dating is already in a relationship. With her romantic life turned upside down, she finds herself moving into a luxury loft that has mistakenly been leased to two tenants.

Her unexpected roommate is Cameron (Kevin Gripper), an uptight perfectionist still dealing with the fallout of his own humiliating betrayal. With no easy way out, the pair must share the space for 30 days, setting the stage for an escalating battle of pranks and personalities. But as their rivalry intensifies, an unexpected attraction begins to develop, challenging both to confront their insecurities and learn to trust again.

The film stars Phedra Syndelle as Dannie, Kevin Gripper as Cameron, Iijima Saunders as Amber, Devin Steward as Jalen, Kezia Bernard as Lexi, and Ca’ Nisha Warren as Date.

With its blend of romantic tension, comedic clashes, and second chances, Worst Roommate Ever explores what happens when two people hiding behind carefully constructed identities discover that love may be the one thing they cannot plan for.

Manny Halley Productions and BET continue to expand their relationship. BET has ordered five additional episodes of the comedy series “Lot Patrol,” airing Nov. 3, 2026. After the special premiere, the show will wrap its first season with 10 full episodes.

“Lot Patrol” follows an eccentric crew of security guards working the backlot of a major Hollywood studio, showing the entertainment business from their point of view.

The cast includes DeRay Davis (“21 Jump Street,” “Semi-Pro”), Carl Anthony Payne II (“Martin,” “House Party”), and Tamera Kissen (“White Men Can’t Jump,” “House Party”). They’re joined by comedians Skeet Carter, T.K. Kirkland, Alex Thomas, Tanjareen Thomas, Lionell Dalton, Nick Nervies, Dawn Raven, Iyana Halley and G Thang.

“‘Lot Patrol’ is a fresh, culturally rooted take on the industry. People inside and outside entertainment are realizing that the business of Hollywood is actually quite comical through a certain lens,” creator Manny Halley said. “It’s OK to laugh at how things in this town operate — particularly through an urban lens, which is a fresh angle. With this unbelievable ensemble of comedic talent, audiences get exactly what they’re looking for: a unique, genuine tone that is refreshingly different.”

The series comes from Manny Halley Productions, part of Imani Media Group. Halley created and wrote it with Ernest L. Dancy. Manny Halley Jr., Maureen Pierre and DeRay Davis produce, and Erik White directs.

A huge thank you to casting, Maureen Pierre for all the celebrity guests who visited the lot!

Director Lawrence Lamont is stepping behind the camera for Last Friday, the first new installment in the comedy franchise in 25 years. Ice Cube, who co-created the original series, will write, produce and star in the upcoming film.

Producers include Bob Teitel and Michael Gruber of CubeVision, with Jeff Kwatinetz serving as executive producer. Production is expected to take place in Southern California, supported by an $11.4 million California film tax credit. The project is slated for 40 shooting days, with 43 cast members and approximately 150 crew members.

Lamont earned widespread recognition for his directorial debut, One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and SZA. The $14 million buddy comedy generated more than $51 million worldwide before topping Netflix’s charts for four consecutive weeks.

His work on the film earned him the African American Film Critics Association’s Breakthrough Director Award and an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture.

With experience directing a comedy centered on friendship and the challenges of navigating Los Angeles, Lamont brings a fitting background to the next chapter of the Friday franchise.

Lamont is represented by WME, ColorCreative and Johnson Shapiro.

As the first Black-led anthology thriller web series shot entirely on DePaul’s Cinespace campus, Drapetomania is a student-led production bringing bold, thought-provoking Black stories to the screen. In collaboration with DePaul’s School of Cinematic Arts, Black Media Arts Club, & The Theatre School, the series creates opportunities for emerging filmmakers and actors while fostering cross-departmental collaboration. Through suspense-driven storytelling rooted in meaningful social and cultural themes, Drapetomania is building a legacy for the next generation of Black creatives.

What begins as a spontaneous road trip between siblings takes a sinister turn in Push It, the pilot episode of Drapetomania. When Imani and Sean find themselves trapped in a motel where time seems distorted and memories begin to slip away, they must confront their fears of growing apart. Blending psychological horror, dark comedy, and social commentary, Push It explores familial relationships, the realities of traveling while Black, and the bittersweet transition from childhood innocence to adulthood.

PILOT EPISODE DROPS OCTOBER 31ST ONLY ON BLKSCRIPT.COM

muVpix, the vertical micro-drama platform, released Blacked Out, an original relationship thriller, on October 9. The series is produced by Caleb Davis and Roni Davis of Creative Direction Group, the team behind Tough Love, alongside Emmy Award-winning producer Jade Martin.

Blacked Out follows an ambitious professional whose social drinking leads to increasingly dangerous blackouts. When her boyfriend disappears after a party, she must piece together the events of a night she cannot remember and confront the possibility that she has destroyed her relationship.

Selected for the American Black Film Festival’s (ABFF) inaugural microdrama showcase, the series stars Verina Banks and Daniel Augustin in the lead roles. Banks is a fan favorite from Creative Direction Group’s Tough Love, where she portrays Jordan Samuels across the New York seasons. Augustin is known for his recurring role as Maurice in Issa Rae’s Max series Rap Sh!t. His additional credits include Marvel’s Wonder Man, Grey’s Anatomy, and How I Met Your Father.

The project marks the latest collaboration from the Davises, following their upcoming independent romantic comedy Red Flags, starring Vanessa Simmons and Melyssa Ford. Written by Roni Davis and directed by Caleb Davis, the film wrapped production in Los Angeles last year and is currently in post-production.

With Blacked Out, the duo enters the vertical microdrama space for the first time. The series also represents a step in muVpix’s expansion into scripted thriller content. Following its October 9 premiere on muVpix, the series debuted on the Tough Love YouTube channel and TikTok’s Pine Drama on October 16.

“What excited us about Blacked Out is that it has romance and drama, but it also has consequences. Every reveal creates another question, which feels perfect for a format where you want viewers to immediately need the next episode,” said Caleb Davis and Roni Davis.

About Caleb Davis and Roni Davis

Caleb and Roni Davis are the Emmy-nominated co-founders of Creative Direction Group, a Los Angeles-based production company behind the Tough Love series, which has aired on TV One, Cleo TV, and BET+.

Their latest project, Red Flags, written by Roni Davis and directed by Caleb Davis, stars Vanessa Simmons and Melyssa Ford. The film wrapped production in Los Angeles and is currently in post-production.

About Jade Martin

Jade Martin is an Emmy Award-winning director, producer, writer, and showrunner with more than 15 years of experience across television, digital media, and branded entertainment.

She served as co-executive producer and showrunner of the Emmy-winning franchise The Shop and most recently directed and co-executive produced the show’s Season 8 premiere, presented by Starbucks. Her television credits also include Season 2 of On the Rise: JuJu Watkins for NBC and Peacock.

Martin has collaborated with notable talent including LeBron James, Tom Brady, Kai Cenat, Teyana Taylor, Debbie Allen, and Niecy Nash. She is the founder of Jade(d) Productions.

About muVpix

muVpix is a premium American vertical entertainment app dedicated to cinematic, mobile-first storytelling. The platform focuses on high-quality live-action series, premium production values, and compelling short-form narratives, helping shape the next generation of vertical entertainment in the United States and internationally.

muVpix is owned and operated by BlackForge Distribution, LLC, a U.S.-based entertainment company focused on developing, distributing, and expanding premium vertical content globally.

A new look at Academy Award winner Michael B. Jordan as Ricardo “Rico” Tubbs has been unveiled. The actor was spotted on the set of ‘Miami Vice ‘85,’ which is currently filming in New York City.

Take a look here. ‘Miami Vice ‘85’ opens in theaters on May 19, 2028.

Photo credit: @people

Video credit: @oscar_diazx

—Dominique Young // @heyyydommm

Vernon Davis (The Ritual Killer) and Malcolm Goodwin (Reacher) star in the new cosmic horror thriller ‘Silt,’ which centers on a group of friends who encounter ancient, supernatural forces at an exclusive lakeside sanctuary.

The feature is adapted from an original story by Davis and Tiffany Toney, with a screenplay written by director Aaron Jay Rome and writer/producer Isaiah LaBorde.

The ensemble cast features Andrea Sixtos (Arrow), David Anders (The Vampire Diaries), Olivia Grace Applegate (Love and Death), and Tommy Wiseau (The Room).

According to the official synopsis: Seeking a fresh start, Hadria (Sixtos) agrees to a weekend getaway at an exclusive lakeside estate run by a pair of hosts (Goodwin, Smitha) and owned by an eccentric local figure (Wiseau). But when the lake’s ancient, divine lore begins to manifest around them, the weekend devolves into a terrifying fight for survival against supernatural forces.

The film is an ALLABORDE Entertainment production, made in association with Roaming Lens and Real 85 Productions. The cast also includes Michael Papajohn, Krishna Smitha, Isaiah LaBorde, and Ledger LaBorde.

‘Silt’ is currently making its theatrical run through special pop-up screenings across major cities, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, New Orleans, Austin, and Dallas. Horror fans can request a screening in their city by visiting Demand the Screen.

—Dominique Young // @heyyydommm

Cudi took to social media to express his desire and initiative to write, direct and star in the film about Jean-Michel Basquiat which he describes as a love letter to Jean and had the following to say:

"For years people have asked me about playing Jean Michel Basquiat in a film,” Cudi wrote on social media. “But no project actually came to be. This year, I finally said f*ck it, ima write it myself. Did a wardrobe test, got a wig made (this isnt the final just a rough, trust me we gon get it perfect). But I wanted to tease what we been cooking a bit. This film will be a love letter to Jean, the 80s and NY city. Jean has inspired me all through out my career, and it will be the biggest honor to tell his story in a way we haven’t seen before. I know a lot of yall gon be like FINALLY hahaha I love it. This ones for all those dreamers out there."

The film begins production in 2027.

Two-time Academy Award winner Denzel Washington is set to star in an untitled feature thriller at Amazon MGM Studios’ United Artists, headed by Scott Stuber. Christopher McQuarrie is attached to direct from a screenplay written by Scott Barkan and Gregg Zehentner.

According to the official logline, the film centers on a former police detective serving a life sentence who is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Granted compassionate release with six months to live, he returns home to the estranged daughter he left behind and a grandson he never knew existed. He only wants to make amends and forget his dark past, but his dark past has not forgotten him.

In addition to directing, McQuarrie will produce the project alongside Heather McQuarrie, Katia Washington, Tommy Harper, and Joseph Restaino (producing for Hungry Bull Productions). Scott Stuber and Nick Nesbitt are producing on behalf of United Artists, while Reza Moheet and Norman Aladjem represent Mainstay Entertainment as producers. Executive producers for the film include Hungry Bull’s Tony Stopperan alongside Mainstay’s Tim Honigman and Joe Guest.

The film is slated for a theatrical release on October 1, 2027.

—Dominique Young // @heyyydommm

The Critics Choice Association has unveiled the honorees for its 9th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, taking place November 16, 2026, in Los Angeles. Emmy-nominated comedian and actor Roy Wood Jr. will host the ceremony, which is scheduled to premiere on the organization’s official YouTube channel in December.

This year’s honorees represent a diverse range of accomplishments across film and television, recognizing celebrated entertainers, acclaimed creators, and emerging filmmakers.

Debbie Allen will receive the Icon Award for her influential career spanning nearly five decades, including her contributions to A Different World and its 2026 Netflix sequel. Abbott Elementary creator and star Quinta Brunson will be presented with the Groundbreaker Award, while Chiwetel Ejiofor earns the Vanguard Award for his performance in A24’s Backrooms.

Chris Rock will receive the Director Award for Misty Green, which he also wrote, produced, and stars in. Lamorne Morris is being recognized with the Comedy Award for Spider-Noir, and Katori Hall will receive the Showrunner Award for P-Valley.

On the acting front, Jaafar Jackson earns the Actor Award – Film for portraying Michael Jackson in the biopic Michael, while Anthony Mackie receives the Actor Award – Series for 12 12 12. Stephan James (I Play Rocky) and Sophie Okonedo (Mouse) will be honored for their supporting performances in film. Ato Essandoh (The Diplomat) and Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Furious) will receive the supporting acting awards for television, with Bernstine also receiving a special STARZ #TakeTheLead designation.

Filmmaking duo Arie Esiri and Chuko Esiri will share the Breakthrough Director Award for Clarissa, while Jaalen Best receives the Rising Star Award for The Greatest.

Executive producer Shawn Edwards emphasized the importance of celebrating ambitious storytelling and recognizing the artists whose work continues to shape Black representation in entertainment.

The annual celebration remains a platform for honoring the achievements of Black creatives across the industry, highlighting both established trailblazers and the next generation of storytellers.

“How hard would you fight to stay alive?” This life-or-death question drives the pulse-pounding new trailer for Lionsgate’s upcoming sci-fi survival thriller, ‘Above the Below,’ starring Idris Elba.

When three astronauts survive a catastrophic re-entry from space, their damaged capsule plunges deep into the ocean. Trapped under water with rapidly depleting oxygen, the crew is forced to make agonizing life-or-death decisions about who will attempt a perilous ascent to the surface and who must stay behind.

Idris Elba leads the ensemble cast alongside Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Caitlin FitzGerald, and Isla Jackson-Ritchie. Behind the camera, ‘Above the Below’ is co-directed by Elba and Martin Owen, with a screenplay written by Matt Mitchell, Elizabeth Morris, and Vicki Sargent.

Check out the gripping first trailer here.

‘Above the Below’ hits theaters on December 4.

—Dominique Young // @heyyydommm

Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out, Judas and the Black Messiah) will make his U.S. stage debut in Grass, a new play written by acclaimed playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins and directed by Obie Award-winning director Sarah Benson.

Commissioned by Park Avenue Armory, the world premiere will run February 19 through March 28, 2027, in New York City. The production brings together an acclaimed creative team for a theatrical journey through the American South that explores family, identity, history, and the search for meaning.

Jacobs-Jenkins, an Armory Artist-in-Residence known for his work on Purpose and Appropriate, has established himself as one of the leading voices in contemporary American theater. A two-time Tony Award winner, Obie Award winner, Pulitzer Prize winner, and MacArthur Fellow, he is recognized for combining humor and drama to examine heritage, generational tensions, and the complexities of American family life. With Grass, he brings his distinctive perspective and sharp wit to a production that blends elements of fantasy, memory, and moral drama.

In Grass, Kaluuya portrays a son who embarks on an extraordinary road trip through the American South with his mother. Along the way, the pair encounter fellow Americans and echoes of the past as they navigate a landscape shaped by both monumental historical forces and everyday experiences. Through this surreal journey, the play examines the boundaries of identity and the connections between personal experience, ancestral history, and national belonging, particularly during periods of social conflict and upheaval.

The production also reunites the creative team behind the 2014 Obie Award-winning production of An Octoroon for the first time in more than a decade. Benson, whose directing credits include Teeth and Fairview, leads the production with her boundary-pushing theatrical approach. Tony Award-winning set designer and MacArthur Fellow Mimi Lien, a former Armory Artist-in-Residence, joins the team to create the production’s visual environment. Known for projects including Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 and Sweeney Todd, Lien has earned recognition for transforming theatrical spaces in innovative ways.

With Kaluuya’s stage debut at its center, Grass brings together some of contemporary theater’s most celebrated talents for a new work that considers how family histories, cultural memory, and national identity shape the American experience.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS

Production: Grass
Playwright: Branden Jacobs-Jenkins
Director: Sarah Benson
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya
Venue: Park Avenue Armory, New York City
Dates: February 19–March 28, 2027
Premiere: World premiere

Additional details about the play is available at https://www.armoryonpark.org/.

Watch the trailer, then stream The NextShift on Tubi! Trust us, add this one to your must-watch list.

ONE NIGHT. TWO RIVALS. NO WAY OUT.

The NextShift is the kind of movie that keeps you hooked until the very end!

When two young men from completely different worlds find themselves trapped together overnight, their rivalry turns into a fight for survival. Packed with suspense, unexpected twists, and powerful performances, this gripping thriller proves that sometimes your biggest rival becomes your only chance of making it out alive.

Written and Directed by Adio Ash and Produced by Victorious De Costa.

Now streaming on Tubi

Watch it. Feel the tension. Tell somebody about it.

Young actors Hattie Hoskins and Mark Lane III have joined the cast of One Night Out, an upcoming thriller directed by George Tillman Jr. for Orion Pictures, Amazon MGM Studios’ specialty film label.

Hoskins, an 11-year-old Haitian-American performer, has appeared in CBS and Paramount’s NCIS: Origins and Amazon’s Them: The Scare. Lane’s credits include ABC’s Abbott Elementary and the Sundance breakout film If I Go Will They Miss Me.

The pair join previously announced cast members Aldis Hodge, Wunmi Mosaku, Rory Culkin and Oona Roche in the suspense-driven feature.

Based on a short story by screenwriter Nelson Greaves, One Night Out follows a married couple whose rare evening away from their children takes a frightening turn when their babysitter disappears. With their children an hour away, the couple must navigate an increasingly tense situation as they race to get home.

Greaves wrote the screenplay, with revisions by Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo. Tillman will produce alongside Bob Teitel under their State Street Pictures banner.

Tillman is known for directing acclaimed films including The Hate U Give, Notorious and Soul Food.

Halloween weekend in Harlem starts on Thursday, October 29, and Melanin Madness is the reason. The Harlem-born movie night returns to The Apollo Stages at The Victoria for another immersive screening of Vampire in Brooklyn, and it is coming back bigger than the first run.

Melanin Madness is calling it a “movie night with your favorite cousins”, and that line says everything about the energy. This is not a quiet screening where you sit still and whisper. It is a room full of people who grew up on Wes Craven’s 1995 horror comedy, who know what Eddie Murphy and Angela Bassett bring to it, and who came to watch it together. Vampire in Brooklyn has been a Black household October staple for decades. Melanin Madness puts that tradition in a room where the reactions are half the show.

The first screening was a good enough time that the team decided to add more! This round brings a costume contest with spooky prizes, and the dress code is simple: come dressed to impress or dressed to terrify! Halloween in Harlem has always rewarded the people who commit, and the contest gives you a stage to prove it. Show up in costume, win something, and watch the film surrounded by people who did the same.

The MADNESS does not stop when the credits roll. DJ Steph Cakes is providing the music for an after-party, which means the Halloween fun runs well past the final scene. You can come for the movie and leave at the end, or you can stay for the party and make a full night of it!

Doors open at 6:30 PM and the show starts at 7:30 PM at The Apollo Stages at The Victoria, 233 W 125th Street, third floor. Tickets are $35, and a ticket with after-party access is $50. A VIP upgrade adds entry to the pre-show lounge, express entry into the theater, and a VIP wristband. The early price has already ended, so locking in your spot now is the smart move. Tickets are available at https://www.apollotheater.org/event/melanin-madness-vampire-in-brooklyn.

Black audiences have always known how to turn a movie into an event. Melanin Madness gives that instinct a home in Harlem, with a screening, a contest, and a party on one ticket. Bring the cousins, bring the costume, and bring the noise.

- REAVES // @fisher.reaves

Presented by iShowSpeed and Barack and Michelle Obama, The Eyes of Ghana tells the remarkable story of Chris Hesse, the cinematographer who served as the personal cameraman to Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah. The documentary explores a vital chapter in Ghana’s history through the lens of the man who captured it on film.

The Eyes of Ghana arrives in theaters October 28.

Jamaican psychological thriller Stew Peas is expanding its theatrical reach, with the film set to open in seven Caribbean territories on October 29, 2026, ahead of a limited U.S. theatrical release in January 2027.

iKon Media & Films announced that the U.S. Virgin Islands has joined the regional rollout, bringing the film to audiences in St. Thomas and St. Croix. The release will take place through Caribbean Cinemas, marking the exhibitor’s first distribution of a Jamaican film.

The U.S. Virgin Islands joins Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua, Guyana, St. Lucia and St. Kitts in the simultaneous theatrical launch.

Written, directed and produced by Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly, Stew Peas has built momentum in Jamaica since its premiere at Carib 5 in Kingston on June 27. The film opened nationwide on July 22 and has continued its theatrical run despite competition from major Hollywood releases.

Nixon-Kelly, who also serves as Head of TV and Film at iKon Media & Films, described the expansion as an important milestone for the region’s film industry.

“Caribbean audiences are hungry for authentic, homegrown cinema, told in our own voice on the big screen,” Nixon-Kelly said, noting that the growing international rollout represents a significant step for Jamaican and Caribbean filmmaking.

Set against the backdrop of Jamaican folklore and West African spiritual traditions, Stew Peas follows Detective Tessa Riley as she investigates the murder of her best friend. As she searches for answers, a mysterious housekeeper begins secretly undermining her marriage, setting the stage for a psychological thriller that blends crime, cultural traditions and supernatural elements.

The film stars Kerry-Ann “Chiney-K” Collins, Tarique Barrett, Shernet Swearine and Quera South. It was filmed entirely on location in Kingston, Jamaica.

The Caribbean theatrical release begins October 29 at participating Caribbean Cinemas locations across the seven territories. Tickets are available through the exhibitor’s website and at participating box offices. The film carries an A18 rating and has a runtime of 123 minutes.

Following its Caribbean rollout, Stew Peas is scheduled to begin a limited theatrical release in the United States in January 2027, extending the reach of a locally produced Jamaican feature to audiences beyond the region.

Independent filmmaker Adio Ash brings a compelling story of rivalry, survival, and unlikely brotherhood to audiences with The NextShift, a thriller now streaming on Tubi and distributed by FilmWorks Global.

Blending suspense with an exploration of race, class, and the pressures of early manhood, the film showcases emerging creative talent from New Jersey’s independent filmmaking community.

Produced in Jersey City, New Jersey, The NextShift reflects Ash’s creative vision and personal journey from Nigeria to Massachusetts and, ultimately, Jersey City. His work represents the distinctive perspectives and ambitious storytelling shaping the independent film industry.

Starring Jordyn Owens, Matthew Taylor Zuniga, and Chloe McFarlane, The NextShift follows Wesley Bennet (Owens), a promising high school basketball player whose life changes when his parents’ divorce forces him to transfer from a prestigious private school to an inner-city public school. There, he clashes with Travis “Belly” Walker (Zuniga), a former basketball standout struggling with financial pressures and the loss of his place on the team.

When a hazing incident escalates into an attempted robbery, the rivals find themselves trapped inside a bodega, forced to put their differences aside and work together to survive until morning.

Beyond its high-stakes premise, the film explores the emotional vulnerabilities beneath its characters’ exteriors. Through deliberate pacing, carefully crafted visuals, and compelling performances, Ash delivers a suspenseful story that examines what happens when two young men from vastly different backgrounds must depend on one another.

For Ash, The NextShift demonstrates the power of independent storytelling through both its subject matter and execution. His direction combines cinematography, character development, and unexpected narrative turns to create a cinematic experience that extends beyond suspense alone.

The film has also earned recognition from FilmWorks Global’s executive team, which selected The NextShift as its Best Indie Film of the Year, citing the overall quality of its filmmaking.

“Recognizing The NextShift as our Best Indie Film of the Year wasn’t just about one standout performance or a great storyline. It was about the entire cinematic experience. Adio Ash brought together the creative elements that make a film memorable, and that’s something worth celebrating.”

— Danielle Solomon, FilmWorks Global

For Ash, the recognition reinforces the impact of a film that balances raw emotion, purposeful direction, and a distinctive visual approach.

The NextShift To Open The BedStuy Film Festival

Beyond its streaming debut, The NextShift is scheduled to open the BedStuy Film Festival on Friday, October 16, 2026, at the historic Billie Holiday Theatre in Brooklyn, New York.

The two-day festival will also feature an industry conversation on Saturday, October 17, titled “Indie vs. Studio: The Filmmaking Dilemma.”

The panel will bring together industry professionals, including Ahmad Muhammad of Tyler Perry Studios, Sean Charles of ALLBLK/MACRO, Brooklyn native and featured tastemaker Victorious De Costa, and Nya Estep, among others. The discussion will explore the opportunities and challenges facing independent filmmakers in today’s entertainment landscape.

De Costa’s producing credits include Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn (HBO Max) and Jackie Robinson: Get to the Bag (FOX Sports). He is also a producer on Sunday Dinner, a reunion documentary about the 1997 film Soul Food. Directed by Brandon Hammond, the documentary features executive producers Vivica A. Fox, George Tillman Jr., and Marcia Wright-Tillman.

Festival attendees will have opportunities to meet filmmakers Adio Ash and Victorious De Costa throughout the event, connecting audiences with the creative voices behind the work.

Audiences are invited to experience The NextShift on the big screen and support independent filmmaking at the BedStuy Film Festival.

Purchase festival tickets:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-bedstuy-film-festival-tickets-2002968032303?aff=oddtdtcreator

With its combination of suspense, emotional depth, and compelling performances, The NextShift takes audiences into a world where rivalry gives way to an unexpected fight for survival.

The film is currently streaming on Tubi, with an Amazon release planned for a later date.

Watch The NextShift on Tubi:
https://tubitv.com/movies/100059117/the-next-shift

About The NextShift

Directed by Adio Ash and distributed by FilmWorks Global, The NextShift is an independent thriller starring Jordyn Owens, Matthew Taylor Zuniga, and Chloe McFarlane. The film follows two high school rivals from vastly different backgrounds whose lives collide during a dangerous overnight ordeal, forcing them to confront their differences and discover what it takes to survive together.