Justine Henzell
Justine Henzell is an independent producer and oversees the legacy of THE HARDER THEY COME, the award winning movie, co-written, produced and directed by her father, Perry Henzell, which continues to reach a global audience almost 50 years after its release. A newly remastered blu ray collectors edition was released by SHOUT! in 2019 with hours of bonus videos.
In August 2019, Perry’s 2nd feature film NO PLACE LIKE HOME also filmed in 1970s, Jamaica premiered at the Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Justine had overseen the restoration of that film whose footage had been lost for decades.
As a freelance film producer Henzell has produced film & TV projects ranging from feature films to commercials for local and overseas clients and directed two feature length documentaries highlighting the history of Jamaica i.e. “OnePeople-The Celebration” and “Jamaica Arise”.
Henzell is an advocate for film in Jamaica and so in 2015 instigated and became a founding member of the Jamaica Film & Television Association (JAFTA) a representative body for all Jamaican film professionals. In 2016 Henzell spearheaded JAFTA Propella! which supports the production of short films by Jamaica filmmakers annually. Henzell was also a member of the original chapter of Women in Film & Television Jamaica.
In 2020 Henzell started an weekly film series at the historic 10a West Kings House Road venue. Classic and contemporary films are shown from a high quality projector in the courtyard now dubbed “The Perry Henzell Cinema” with lively discussions following. There are plans to develop an exhibit of Jamaican film to be housed at 10a which as the birthplace of Jamaican films is fitting.
In addition to her work in film Justine is a co-founder and producer of the Calabash International Literary Festival which was first staged in 2001 and is now internationally recognised as a fixture on the world literary circuit. Calabash has been privotal in the careers of Jamaican writers such as 2015 Man Booker Prize winner the novelist Marlon James and 2019 Windham Campbell winner the poet Ishion Hutchinson.
Also in the literary arena Justine lobbied for years and was eventually successful in having a Poet Laureate of Jamaica appointed as an officially designated national position in 2014. She has served on the Poet Laureate committee since its inception.
In 2012 Justine was honoured to be named by the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica and The Gleaner as one of the 50underFifty Business Leaders Shaping Jamaica’s Future. Justine has served on many public sector boards such as the Entertainment Advisory Board and the Jamaica Tourist Board.
Born in Kingston, Jamaica, where she still resides, Justine has two adult children, Drew and Dylan, in whom she is well proud.
