The Montserrat Government UK Office proudly celebrates the extraordinary achievement of 12-year-old filmmaker Kinara Dyer-Tuitt, whose award-winning short film Lady Oriole is earning acclaim across the UK for its powerful tribute to Montserratian heritage.
Kinara, a young performer from Basildon, Essex, created the short film as part of a screenwriting competition at the Pauline Quirke Academy (PQA) of Performing Arts in Wickford. Inspired by stories shared by her late grandmother, the film draws deeply on Montserratian culture, folklore, and identity—offering viewers a unique glimpse into the soul of the island through the eyes of a young British-Montserratian.
The film’s title, Lady Oriole, honours Montserrat’s national bird and weaves together themes of memory, grief, and identity. At its heart is the story of Mercy, a young girl who discovers her grandmother’s journal and begins a journey of self-discovery and healing.
Speaking to BBC Essex and regional media, Kinara explained her motivation:
“My heritage is very important to me. I wanted to do something that would help people understand different cultures—especially Montserrat.”
Directed by university student and PQA alumna Eden Quine-Taylor, the film was described by the academy’s principal, Teri Levett, as “like nothing I’d ever read before… I love myths and legends, but I didn’t know anything about Montserratian ones—it was fascinating.”
The project began as a conversation at the dining table between Kinara and her mother, Katheleen Dyer-Tuitt, who encouraged her to explore their Caribbean roots. That idea soon blossomed into a compelling script that would win Kinara a young screenwriter award—and spark a wider conversation around cultural pride and representation.
“The finished product is so beautiful and emotional,” said Kinara. “I still can’t believe something we talked about at home is now being seen by so many people.”
Lady Oriole is now available to watch on YouTube here:🎬 Watch Lady Oriole – YouTube
The film will also be screened at the British Film Institute (BFI) in London on Sunday 2nd November 2025, and at Cineworld in Sheffield on 16th November, as part of the PQA’s North and South regional film festivals.
MGUKO commends Kinara for proudly honouring Montserrat’s stories and showing the world the beauty of our culture through her creativity. She is a shining example of how the next generation is helping preserve and promote Montserratian identity in the UK and beyond.
We look forward to seeing where her passion takes her next.
