Three St. Thomians are about to take the stage, bringing their passion for filmmaking abroad to South Africa. Joshua Crawford Barry, the director of the documentary “Footsteps to Tomorrow,” along with Kitania Weston and Keano Brin, will make up the team of creatives using their talents to share untold stories.
Barry, a junior at Howard University, majoring in TV and film with a minor in photography, has taken up the responsibility of directing a South African documentary. Barry first fell in love with film as an eighth grader at Antilles School. His photography skills helped him better understand lighting in film. During his senior year of high school, Barry started working for a local newspaper, combining his passion for art and storytelling. As Barry went on to Howard University, he started his own photography business, taking photos on Howard’s campus and in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia area.
By his sophomore year at Howard, Barry’s growing portfolio had garnered the attention of Kenrick Isaac, who proposed the idea of creating a documentary “for the students, by the students.” Enthralled by the concept, Barry didn’t waste any time in rising to the challenge and did not at finding talent scouting. Through collaboration a team of three creative minds from the U.S. Virgin Islands was born: Weston, Brin and Barry..
Barry recruited Weston as the first member of his team. Her interest in the arts has followed her up through her life to present day. The theatrics of the storytelling in the shows and movies she watched as a young girl, along with the beauty of the island surroundings, set her on the track towards following a career in photography.
“The ability to bring something from your imagination into a real thing is something I admire and strive for in my photography,” Weston shared.
It was not until her senior year in high school that Weston’s path became clear: this was her calling—to be a photographer. Her journey in photography began by capturing the natural beauty of her island home and her friends. This career decision has been the drive to push her into diverse creative spaces, such as a news internship and film sets. Her most recent venture into the world of filmmaking is her involvement with the Paradise 48 Film Festival, where Weston worked as a still photographer, assistant director, and producer.
Through Weston, Barry met another talented artist, from St. Thomas, Brin. He came into arts early through his natural disposition towards drawing, painting, and other kinds of creative projects. Starting college with a declared major in computer science helped show him an early interest in technology but by his sophomore year he felt unfulfilled.
This led Brin into the field of multi-platform production, where technological abilities interlaced with artistic passions. After Brin changed majors, he bought his first camera, which catapulted him into the learning process of how to be great at videography and photography. Upon graduating from college, he returned to the USVI, working on different commercial projects, interviews, and live events to build his skills. His role in building out a media company’s private studio further solidified his expertise and confidence.
After two years of professional growth, Brin decided to further his career by working for an independent brand, Key Visuals. He eventually relocated to Los Angeles in pursuit of his final goal: cinematography. Now working on various film productions, Brin’s journey in film has just begun.
Together, Barry, Weston, and Brin make up an impactful proof of artistic collaboration grounded in their shared heritage. They are making history as storytellers of the Virgin Islands.
To support these storytellers and their upcoming venture, click here to donate to their GoFundMe.
