Winner of NOFF2020 Narrative Features Competition: Special Jury Recognition

After the death of famous runner Jeffrey Jacobs, the Jamacian public becomes enamored with the details of his life and speculates as to the motivation behind his murder. Jeffrey's father, a reserved and kind farmer, struggles to grieve while inundated by the inescapable coverage. Through moments of blinding rage and quiet contemplation, the camera is a window into a life burdened by the death of a child that will never know justice. Against a backdrop of beautiful vistas, Right Near the Beach takes a lyrical approach to the exploration of homophobia in Jamaica. Rather than treat the murder as a voyeristic mystery, the film challenges us to contemplate the anguish of loss while everyone else debates the value of one person’s life. -Greta Hagen-Richardson