KEVIN Garbaran has been writing short fiction for a while now, but when he joined Rae Wiltshire’s film-making workshop recently, he decided to try his hand at a short film called ‘Old Toy Train.’

Produced by Wiltshire, Kevin is the Director and Script Writer of the film, which is just one of those being produced under the Georgetown Film Festival.

While trying his best not to give away too many details about the plot, Kevin told Buzz this week that the film explores the family dynamics between an elderly man and his daughter returning to his childhood home in Guyana.

The elderly man has a chronic mental illness and the daughter finds herself in a position where she has to make a very difficult decision.

Commenting on what led to this story idea, Kevin said during Wiltshire’s workshop they were asked to write something that was personal.

“For me, [it was] memories and childhood experiences I value and cherish.”

Born at Haslington, East Coast Demerara, and raised at Zorg on the Essequibo Coast, Kevin, who was shortlisted in 2019 for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize, has been able to incorporate details from his childhood to add a more personal touch to the story.

Of course, working on a film has not been without its challenges.

“In the workshop, we were told what to expect on a film set but it’s only when you’re on the location and see the challenges; the many takes you have to do just to get a few minutes of footage.”

However, Kevin is convinced that he and the team have a good story to tell and he feels encouraged by the fact that he has Wiltshire’s support.

“For Rae to have faith in my vision; he’s an experienced filmmaker. His most recent film got screened in London a few months ago. So for him to have that kind of faith in me, I think I am in good hands.”

The film, which will be released around November 2023, has four actors: Michael Khan, Marisa Morgan-Bonie, Renita Doodnauth-Dindyal, and Adhinav Richard, an eight- year- old first-time actor.

“I’m pretty sure we have a really good story to tell. Friday (today) is our last day of shoot. Another film has already been filmed and is in the editing process now and a few more films are to be done to be released at once in November. We still have to do post production work and I believe Rae wants to get a few films completed to screen them all at once,” Kevin shared.

As a word of advice to those who want to get into films, he said: “You first have to find that faith and belief in yourself to put out your work, to actually put it to paper. I think that’s a major hurdle to get past first….The best way is to network; collaborate with other creatives.”