Short film Coffee selected for the American Black Film Festival

A short film shot in Croydon following the story of a Jamaican grandmother and her granddaughter has been selected by a black film festival.

Coffee, directed by Jordan Pitt from Gipsy Hill, is a film about empowerment and never forgetting your inner strength.

Written by Nii Odartei Evans, the film focuses on the distinctively quirky but invaluable wisdom a Jamaican grandmother imparts with her granddaughter after a traumatic break-up.

Mr Pitt said that he wanted to highlight the importance of the strength inside us and also the invaluable bond we have with our elders.

He said: “I think it’s an important reminder we all need sometimes.

We all come face to face with issues that make us question ourselves – the simplicity of the story and how the message is relayed is what really stood out for me.

“I also wanted to highlight the value of a generation that is often dismissed in today’s society and not typically celebrated on screen.

“Although the story is told through the eyes of a female protagonist, I think it’s a story we can all relate to.”

The short piece was shot in a day in Croydon.

Mr Pitt said: “I’m from South London and it’s the second film I have been fortunate enough to shoot in my hometown.

“When growing up, I always had to travel for shoots – East London, north and west, but very rarely south of the river.

“Now I am in the driver’s seat.

“It’s a great feeling to capture an area familiar to me on film and use it as the backdrop to our stories. “

The director made the artistic decision to shoot in a beautiful modern home.

He said: “It was part of the aesthetic look we were going for.

“We were able to show a black woman who has achieved a certain level of lifestyle, doing well for herself, rather than the stereotypical council estate homes or someone who is struggling.”

Mr Pitt has directed a number of short films including What Would You Do? and Hi John, which has just started its film festival journey and recently won an award for best action film at the Reale Film Festival.

He said that short films give artists the ability to experiment and find their voice as a storyteller, but that in some ways it can be challenging.

He added: “I think short film storytelling, in some ways, can be more difficult than long form stories.

“You have to be short and concise and still be able to tell a coherent story – I love the challenge it presents.”

Coffee, which has been selected for the American Black Film Festival, is set to be released on November 29.

Pictured: Jordan Pitt