Justine Henzell

Justine co-founded the Calabash International Literary Festival in 2001 and has been the Festival Producer since inception. Justine sits on the National Library of Jamaica board and also advocated for the institution of the position of Poet Laureate of Jamaica and is a founding member of that sub-committee.

In addition to her work in the literary arts, Justine Henzell is an independent film producer and oversees the legacy of THE HARDER THEY COME, Jamaica’s 1st feature film which was co-written, produced and directed by her father, Perry Henzell. Henzell sits on the oversight committee for the Jamaica Screen Development Initiative (JSDI), a fund for which she lobbied for over two decades and is a founding member of the Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA).

Justine was bestowed the Jamaican National Order of Distinction (Officer Class) in 2023 for her service to Jamaica in the Film & Television Industry and the Literary Arts.