Trinitario — On the Edge
Trinitario — On The Edge is a 16mm analog short documentary about four cocoa farmers across Trinidad who share their very unique perspectives about the past, present, and future of cocoa farming in the Caribbean twin island; Narratives told by the farmers themselves.
The co-directors’ focus is to create an empowering narrative about what it means to be a farmer, and how prevalent challenges of farmers across the region can be overcome innovatively by combining generational wisdom and living in harmony with the surroundings.
Involvement: Creative Production
Funded by Angostura Limited and the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) with additional support from Cargo Consolidators Agency Limited (CCAL), Kandyse McClure, and a crowdfunding campaign, the project grew beyond the film to bring the farmers of the Original Trinitario Cocoa Education Foundation (OTC) further into the story.
What started as a simple idea, to revive interest in Trinidad’s cocoa industry through storytelling, became a wider body of work around the film: a 16mm short documentary exploring the people and heritage behind Trinitario cocoa, a promotional trailer, international festival outreach, documentary photography for exhibition, and storytelling workshops with those working across the sector.
Together, these pieces helped bring greater visibility to Trinidad’s cocoa farmers and the cultural, ecological, and economic value of their work. By connecting farmers with researchers, processors, and others shaping the future of cocoa, the project created space for different perspectives to meet — and for Trinidad’s cocoa story to be seen, heard, and carried forward.
Together with Co-Directors — Denise Speck & Oliver Milne | Director of Photography — Oliver Milne | Producers — Denise Speck, Angostura Limited & Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility (CCPF) Cargo Consolidators Agency Limited (CCAL), Kandyse McClure | Editor + Colorist — Oliver Milne | Location + Sound Recordist — Jelani Serrette | Music Composer — Solman | Post-Sound | Supervisor — Evan DeVitto | Poster + Artwork — Charlotte Tom
Awards + Nominations
