Cayman Airways and Film Commission Sign Historic Partnership to Position Cayman Islands as World-Class Film Production Hub

In a move to strengthen the Cayman Islands position in the global entertainment industry, Cayman Airways Limited and the Cayman Islands Film Commission announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding designed to elevate the Cayman Islands as a premier destination for film and media production.

The strategic partnership, announced February 24, 2026, unites two sectors of the Cayman Islands economy: aviation and creative industries. The goal is to showcase Cayman's stunning natural landscapes, cultural heritage, and professional production infrastructure to international filmmakers and producers.

Strategic Connectivity from Entertainment Capitals

The collaboration comes at a pivotal moment for the Cayman Islands' film industry, with growing interest from international producers seeking Caribbean locations that combine natural beauty with professional support and accessible infrastructure.

"This MOU with Cayman Airways is a real milestone in how we're positioning Cayman on the global film stage," said Rosa Harris, Director of Tourism. "Flight access is a major consideration for international film productions, and Cayman Airways' direct service from film hubs like Los Angeles and Miami gives us a genuine competitive edge and opportunity to create incremental visitation through investment in film."

Cayman Airways' route to Los Angeles International Airport provides particularly strategic value, offering direct connectivity from the heart of the entertainment industry to the Caribbean territory. As the only carrier serving all three Cayman Islands—Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman—the airline offers exclusive inter-island access crucial for productions requiring diverse filming locations.

"As the national flag carrier, Cayman Airways is proud to support the growth of our film industry," said Jahaira Goodwin, Director of Sales for North America at Cayman Airways. "We are the only carrier providing service to all three islands and this exclusive connectivity is particularly valuable for productions. Our route to Los Angeles International Airport is strategically important to growing the film industry as it provides direct connectivity from the heart of the entertainment industry to the Cayman Islands."

Supporting Local Filmmaking Talent

A distinctive element of the partnership focuses on supporting Caymanian filmmakers whose work has been accepted into international film festivals within Cayman Airways' gateway network—addressing a significant barrier for local talent seeking global recognition.

"For local filmmakers, getting into a festival is a huge milestone, but actually getting to the festival can be one of the biggest barriers," explained Brittany Kelly, Film Commissioner. "By supporting outbound travel for Caymanian filmmakers whose work has been accepted into festivals within Cayman Airways' gateway network, we're helping ensure their stories don't stop at acceptance. This is about showing up, being seen, and making sure our filmmakers have the opportunity to represent the Cayman Islands on international stages."

'The Bluff' Showcases Cayman's Film Credentials

The announcement arrives as the Cayman Islands celebrates the global release of The Bluff, a high-profile action-adventure film starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Karl Urban, premiering on Amazon Prime on February 25, 2026. Set in Cayman Brac in the 1840s, the film tells the story of a former pirate whose violent past threatens her family's peaceful life in the Cayman Islands.

Directed by Caymanian filmmaker Frank E. Flowers—who also chairs the Cayman Islands Film Commission advisory board—and produced by Anthony and Joe Russo through AGBO production company alongside Mariel, Ciseley and Zoe Saldana for Cinestar Productions, The Bluff exemplifies the collaborative model the MOU seeks to strengthen.

Though primarily filmed in Queensland, Australia, Cayman Airways and the Film Commission facilitated the filmmakers' visit to the Cayman Islands to supervise a local production crew capturing location establishing shots, aerial photography, and VFX templates. The production unit filmed across Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac, including iconic locations such as Barkers, Skull Cave, and the dramatic bluffs of Cayman Brac—showcasing the unique landscapes that position the sister islands as compelling film locations.

"Building a sustainable film industry requires collaboration across all sectors," said Flowers, whose credits include the locally shot feature film Haven and the biopic Bob Marley: One Love. "This partnership between Cayman Airways and the Cayman Islands Film Commission demonstrates our collective commitment to creating an ecosystem where international and local filmmakers can thrive."

Comprehensive Collaboration Framework

Under the terms of the MOU, Cayman Airways and the Cayman Islands Film Commission will collaborate on:

Facilitating efficient travel arrangements for production companies, cast and crew, including seamless inter-island connectivity to Cayman Brac and Little Cayman with strategic focus on CAL's Los Angeles route

Joint promotional initiatives to raise awareness of the Cayman Islands as a film destination at industry events and trade shows in key entertainment hubs like Los Angeles

Coordinating logistics support across all three islands for incoming productions

Developing comprehensive packages that highlight both the islands' diverse filming locations and accessibility via Cayman Airways' network

Competitive Advantages for International Productions

The Cayman Islands offers filmmakers a compelling proposition combining natural assets with practical advantages. The territory provides pristine beaches, dramatic coastal formations, lush tropical landscapes, and state-of-the-art production support through the Film Commission, a government entity under the Department of Tourism that promotes the islands as a prime location for film, television, music videos, photoshoots, and advertising productions while facilitating permitting, licensing, and production logistics.

Production incentives include a cash rebate on qualifying expenditures, access to English-speaking professional crew, modern infrastructure, political stability, and year-round favorable weather conditions. The territory's proximity to major North American markets, combined with its distinctive Caribbean character, provides authentic tropical locations with convenient logistics—a combination increasingly sought by international producers.

Growing Momentum in Caribbean Film Industry

The partnership reflects broader momentum in Caribbean film production, with the region experiencing increased interest from international studios and streaming platforms seeking diverse locations outside traditional filming hubs. The Cayman Islands' combination of tax incentives, production infrastructure, accessibility, and distinctive visual character positions the territory competitively within this growing market.

The Film Commission serves as liaison between government partners and international production companies, streamlining permitting processes and coordinating arrivals—addressing logistical considerations that significantly influence production location decisions.

With direct connectivity from Los Angeles and Miami, inter-island access to diverse filming environments, growing local filmmaking talent, and now formalized collaboration between aviation and film sectors, the Cayman Islands demonstrates the comprehensive approach required to build sustainable creative industries in smaller territories.

Looking Forward

As The Bluff introduces global audiences to Cayman Islands locations through a major streaming platform release, the Cayman Airways-Film Commission partnership provides the infrastructure and collaborative framework to capitalize on increased visibility and interest from the international entertainment industry.

For production companies and filmmakers interested in exploring the Cayman Islands as a filming location, the Film Commission provides comprehensive resources and support at www.visitcaymanislands.com/cayman-film-commission. Information about flight connectivity and production travel logistics is available at caymanairways.com/film.