Not only are Caribbean islands picturesque locations for international films, they are ripe for development of a thriving International Film and TV industry based in the Caribbean. Kerri Birch, Co-founder of 13 Degrees North Productions, shares why she’s living her dream in an industry with yet few players in the Caribbean with Dianne N Squires on this episode of the Island Woman Podcast. She also shares why it’s important for young people to see Film and TV in the region as an industry for viable careers.

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I loved this conversation with Kerri Birch, who co-founded Film and TV Production Company 13 Degrees North Productions with her husband Kirk.  I knew when the business was a fledgling startup and today Kerri and Kirk can boast of the several international and local productions they’ve put their stamp on including, most recently, a Victoria’s Secret campaign. 

We discuss her 20-year journey in the industry and why she is proof that careers in the industry, in the Caribbean are viable.  She also shares the tough realities of work in film and TV and underscores why gratitude is her important grounding practice. 

How’s Kerri doing on the ambition/wellbeing Island Woman scale. It’s a bit top heavy but she’s working on it. 

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Excerpts: Kerri Birch on viability of Caribbean Film Industry 

• 00:43 –  Intro: Island Woman Podcast companion for Caribbean Founders & Kerri Birch Caribbean Film and TV Industry Powerhouse 

• 01:22 – A Slate of Caribbean Productions & The Power of Gratitude

• 04:13 – Navigating the Regional Film Industry

• 05:17 – Quiet Leadership and Building Confidence on International Sets

• 05:47 – Knowing Your Worth: Working with Vogue & Below Deck

• 08:17 – Navigating Chaotic Production Logistics in Barbados

• 08:57 – Shifting the Narrative: Film as a Viable Career for Caribbean Youth

• 10:34 – Telling Our Collective History and Shared Caribbean Experiences

• 12:43 – The Symbiotic Relationship with Foreign Film Crews

• 14:37 – Using Inevitable Industry Downtime to Develop Original Content

• 16:33 – Working with Your Spouse: Setting Healthy Boundaries at Home

• 19:43 – Scoring Ambition vs. Well-Being on a Scale of 1 to 10

• 21:08 – Realising a Childhood Dream: Living Big Ambition

• 23:12 – Facing Burnout: Choosing Future Well-Being Over “Hustle”

• 25:32 – Teaching the Next Generation of Filmmakers at BCC

• 26:56 – “Once Upon a Frame”: Paying tribute to Tragically Killed 13-year-old Seanathan Chase, Youth Literacy, and Short Film Adaptation

• 28:57 – Sponsoring or Donating to “Once Upon a Frame” and Local Tax Incentives

• 30:35 – Outro 

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Get in Touch

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Connect with Dianne N Squires

LinkedIn: @Dianne N Squires 

linkedin.com/in/dianne-n-squires-a2389132

Email: diannensquires@diannensquires.com

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Connect with Kerri Birch

IG: @thatbirchgirl

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerribirch/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kerri.birch.5/

13 Degrees North: 

Email: info@13degreesnorthpro.com 

Website: http://www.13degreesnorthpro.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/13degreesnorthproductions

Instagram: @13degreesnorth

Donate to Once Upon a Frame Schools’ Project

Email: info@13degreesnorthpro.com

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Dianne N. Squires is a Strategic Communications leader, Founder of Dianne N Squires Consulting (DNSC), and host of the Island Woman Podcast. Through DNSC, her work centres on elevating voice, visibility and impact for Caribbean changemakers.