Caribbean coffee culture and creatives blend at this Jamaican festival in Pines
If you’re looking for an island-flavored wake-up call, this upcoming Pembroke Pines festival is where you’ll want to be.
The Jamaica Brew Literary & Film Festival makes its way to the Southwest Regional Library on Saturday, Jan. 31, for its third year of celebrating Caribbean coffee culture and writers.
Festivities are free and hosted by the Consulate of Jamaica in Miami — led by Consul General Oliver Mair — from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kicking off the seven-hour celebration is a complimentary brew of Blue Mountain Coffee, the island nation’s signature roast from which the festival gets its namesake. The event was first created to recognize Jamaica Blue Mountain Coffee Day, observed on Jan. 9, the South Florida Caribbean Network reported on Jan. 19.
The world-renowed Arabica Typica brand’s history dates to late-19th century Jamaica, when beans were harvested in the 24-mile-long Blue Mountain range in the island’s southeast region, according to the brand’s website.
A micro-climate exclusive to the area — set apart by its “misty cloud cover, and regular rainfall,” over-3,000-foot altitude and volcanic soil — is what creates the “unique flavor profile” it claims is superior to the average roast.
“It’s an event that’s a platform to tell our stories to the world — about our worth and who we are as a people,” Mair told the South Florida Caribbean Network.
Post-brew, an afternoon of storytelling follows, highlighting Jamaican authors, filmmakers and creatives.
Twelve writers will share their works, including Kingston-born author, actress and media personality Sharon Gordon, whose children’s audiobook “Sheribaby” — which chronicles a young girl’s adventures in post-independence Jamaica — is under Grammy consideration.
Dub poet Malachi Smith is set to lead talks on Hurricane Melissa’s October 2025 landfall and will share several stories from his December visits to schools hit hardest by the storm, according to SFCN.
For kids, a “Ring Ding”-style children’s corner — themed after the Jamaican children’s vareity show — is available and will pay homage to the series’ beloved host, Miss Lou.
A two-hour short film showcase caps the event, writes SFCN, and features a special tribute to the late Jimmy Cliff, a prolific ska and reggae musician who died in November from seizure-induced pneumonia.
Admission to the event is free but requires registration. To save your spot, click here.
This story was originally published January 20, 2026 at 1:13 PM with the headline "Caribbean coffee culture and creatives blend at this Jamaican festival in Pines."
