The Coronado Island Film Festival celebrated 10 years of bringing the best of cinema to the San Diego region from November 5-9. Beyond showcasing films, festivalgoers enjoyed panels with industry professionals and a special presentation of the documentary *Tug of War*, which included Beatles expert Tom Frangione’s intimate conversation with Paul McCartney.
The opening night gala, held on November 5, honored several distinguished figures in the film industry: actor Beau Bridges, stunt professional Heidi Moneymaker, costume designer Deborah L. Scott, music editor Adam Smalley, and actor Delroy Lindo.
Prior to the festivities, Delroy Lindo spoke with *Variety* about his efforts in Jamaican hurricane disaster relief, his directorial debut, and his role as Delta Slim in the blockbuster *Sinners*.
### A Personal Connection to Jamaican Hurricane Relief
Lindo’s commitment to Jamaican relief efforts is deeply personal. Born in England to Jamaican parents, he feels a strong connection to the island.
“People need to be aware that, even at the best of times, the infrastructure in Jamaica leaves a lot to be desired. For an island like Jamaica to suffer this kind of tragedy is even more devastating,” Lindo explains.
He urged people to support relief initiatives responding to Hurricane Melissa. “I would ask that however people are responding to the tragedy of Hurricane Melissa, they do whatever they can to find organizations that can help. I’m personally aware of an organization called Breds, based in Treasure Beach, but there are others. Please, please donate whatever you can because the need is huge.”
Lindo emphasizes that even without the hurricane, Jamaica faces significant economic challenges. “This tragedy has just exacerbated everything, so please give what you can.”
### Directorial Debut: *Jabari’s People*
One way Lindo plans to give back is by filming his directorial debut, *Jabari’s People*, in Jamaica.
“I have family there, and I intend to shoot a film that I will direct, co-produce, and act in,” he shares. “As a person of Jamaican extraction, I’m always looking for meaningful ways to contribute to the island. Making this film in Jamaica is one way to put people to work and contribute.”
Though Lindo has directed for theater, transitioning to film directing took longer. “I wanted to ensure the stories I tell resonate deeply with me,” he says. “This story did. I also have the rights to another project. What took me so long was just finding the right material.”
*Jabari’s People* centers on a young man who loses his mother, a doctor. After repeated expulsions from elite schools, his father sends him to live with his maternal grandparents in Jamaica’s Blue Mountains. There, embraced by the community, he begins to heal and ultimately starts mending his relationship with his father.
“There are elements of magical realism in the story,” Lindo notes. “Anyone who has visited the Blue Mountains knows it’s a very magical place.”
Currently, Lindo is working to secure financing for the film, which he admits is “challenging, extremely challenging,” but remains positive that the project is moving forward.
### Exploring Complex Characters in *Sinners*
Lindo’s portrayal of Delta Slim in Ryan Coogler’s *Sinners* showcased his range as an actor. He describes the film as “a mosaic of elements,” and notes that audiences have returned multiple times to unpack its layers.
“Each viewing reveals new aspects that resonate with viewers, which is a testament to Ryan’s genius,” Lindo says. “He uses this genre to tell a much larger, poignant, and complex story.”
On his character, Delta Slim, Lindo states: “I approached this role by trying to understand who this human being is. Delta Slim’s history and virtuosity connect to a bigger story Ryan wants to tell about the place of blues music in American culture. Because of my own life experience, I found a deep connection to this narrative.”
### Inspiration and Looking Ahead
While busy with his own projects, Lindo shared a recent favorite film: *On Becoming a Guinea Fowl* by director/writer Rungano Nyoni.
“I’m inspired by films like that because I know it couldn’t have been easy to get made,” he says. “The challenges I face getting my film made inspire me to keep moving forward. There are so many stories that don’t get told.”
Speaking to film students, Lindo expressed hope for a broader American cinema landscape. “I won’t say the landscape is narrow, but there are so many other stories that could contribute meaningfully. Watching *On Becoming a Guinea Fowl* reminds me—and this might sound cliché—that one has to believe. You can’t lose sight of your belief, especially in the face of inevitable rejection.”
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The 10th Coronado Island Film Festival honored cinematic excellence and highlighted the passion and perseverance of artists like Delroy Lindo who continue to tell meaningful stories while making impactful contributions to their communities.
https://variety.com/2025/film/news/coronado-island-film-festival-delroy-lindo-1236574405/
