ST. THOMAS — Scheme Queens 2: Caribbean Heist, a sequel filmed primarily on St. Thomas and featuring Virgin Islands talent both in front of and behind the camera, will return to the island for a red-carpet premiere at Caribbean Cinemas on Thursday, October 8.
Red-carpet arrivals are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., followed by the screening at 7:30 p.m., according to organizers. The event is intended as a homecoming for a production that used St. Thomas not simply as scenery but as an integral part of the film’s setting and story.
The film stars Ernestine Johnson Morrison, Brii Renee, B. Simone, Jeremy Anderson, Natasha Ellie and Jason Louder. It was written and directed by Cas Sigers and produced by Ty Johnston-Chavis and Errol Sadler.
Virgin Islands performers also appear in prominent roles, including Lekia Gumbs, Lorenzo Kean, Alexey Dubovoy and Khalarni Rivers, while other local actors appear throughout the film. Virgin Islanders also worked alongside the visiting production team in multiple behind-the-scenes roles.
Organizers credit Benny D, John P. Wheatley and TK Petersen with helping initiate early conversations with the filmmakers that ultimately led to St. Thomas becoming the setting for the sequel.
In Caribbean Heist, the Queens flee the United States with stolen jewels and seek refuge with Audra’s family on St. Thomas. Their attempt to disappear quickly unravels after they are robbed and a confrontation leaves them indebted to a dangerous local family. Faced with a $2 million ultimatum, they must carry out another theft, this time targeting a ceremonial mask tied to the island’s cultural history, while an old adversary follows them to St. Thomas.
For Laurika Jude, production manager for the St. Thomas shoot, the premiere represents more than a movie screening. She said the production gave Virgin Islanders an opportunity to gain experience working alongside an established film team while demonstrating the territory’s potential as a production location.
“This project gave Virgin Islanders an opportunity to work alongside an experienced production team while also showing what St. Thomas can offer as a filming destination,” Ms. Jude said. “We have the locations, the talent and the potential to build a stronger film industry here. Productions like this give us an opportunity to demonstrate that while creating real experience for local cast and crew.”
The production also credited the USVI Film Office, the Government of the Virgin Islands and the V.I. Economic Development Authority for supporting the project, along with local businesses, community partners and residents who assisted during filming. Organizers said the October premiere will give the community an opportunity to see the finished film on the big screen while recognizing the people and locations that contributed to the production.
Tickets for the October 8 screening are being sold through Eventbrite. An Eventbrite listing independently confirms the Scheme Queens 2: Caribbean Heist event at Caribbean Cinemas on St. Thomas for that evening.
