Pan-African Storytelling

Direct. Shoot. Edit. Media film co.

A Pan-African storytelling company out of Jamaica. Award-winning film, documentary, music video and commercial production, built in the Caribbean and made to travel.

Upcoming screenings Book DSE
The Work

Frames

Threads of Us · Official trailer

Threads of Us film still 1
DirectingImpact docs, branded films, music videos and narrative.
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Edit & FinishStory-first edit with colour, titles, subtitles and delivery.
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CinematographyDirector of Photography for docs, brands and shorts.
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ProducingBudgets, crew, cast and delivery oversight.
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Production ManagementSchedules, permits, call sheets and cost control.
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Script DevelopmentTreatments, beat sheets and drafts for film and series.
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Actor CoachingAuditions, self tapes and on-set performance.
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Impact DocumentaryResearch, shoot, edit and social cut-downs for NGOs and brands.
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Branded Film & Music VideoTreatment, shoot day, edit and finish for YouTube and vertical.
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Festival ReadyFinal grade, subtitles, DCP and a 60-second trailer.
Behind the Scenes

On set with DSE

On location
KingstonOn location
 Directing
Notes between takesDirecting
 Production
Action unitProduction
 Director's monitor
Framing the shotDirector's monitor
What we do

Services

01

Directing

Impact documentaries for NGOs, foundations and institutions, branded films, music videos and narrative.

02

Edit & Finish

Story-first editing with colour grade, titles, subtitles and delivery, in DaVinci Resolve Studio. Finished and ready to release.

03

Cinematography

Director of Photography for documentaries, brands and shorts, with camera packages available.

04

Producing & Production Management

Budgets, schedules, crew, permits and call sheets.

05

Script Development

Treatments, beat sheets and drafts for film, series and micro-dramas.

06

Actor Development & Coaching

Auditions, self tapes and on-set performance.

Threads of Us poster
Feature Film · 2025

Threads of Us

Stitching the fabric of a nation. Directed by Mykal Cushnie, written by Donisha Prendergast, a DSE Jamaica film.

9 NominationsCaribbean Film Awards, incl. Best Director & Best Feature
Official SelectionESSENCE Film Festival · Read the story →
Best FeatureToronto Nollywood International Film Festival
Best Feature + Best ActorNewark International Film Festival
See screenings
Upcoming

Screenings & Awards

Get your tickets

Eventbrite links for upcoming screenings of Threads of Us: A Jamaican Love Story are coming soon. Email us to reserve your seat.

Reserve by email
About us

Who we are

Direct. Shoot. Edit. was founded in Jamaica in 2017 by Mykal Cushnie and Donisha Prendergast. We direct, shoot and finish stories rooted in the Caribbean and made to travel, from feature films and documentaries to music videos and brand work. One team, from first idea to final delivery.

Mykal Cushnie

Writer · Director · Editor

Award-winning director of Threads of Us, with 3 awards including 2 Best Film wins and over 11 nominations to date. Directed Mission Catwalk across 8 seasons, Savannah and the docu-series 50 Days in Afrika. Editor for PBS, BET Networks and Trace Africa, and created movies for M-Net. Commercial directing and editing with The LAB, and brand work for Google and Nike. Music videos for artists including Damian Marley, Sean Paul and Popcaan, to name a few.

LinkedInIMDbmykalcushnie@gmail.com

Donisha Prendergast

Writer · Producer · Actor

Award-winning writer and producer of Threads of Us. Produced for Beyoncé, Melina Matsoukas, National Geographic, BET and Channel 4. On screen in Savannah, which she wrote and executive produced, and Canadian Screen Award winners Akilla's Escape and Black Bodies. Writer and lead of Awaking Sankofa, which grew into an artist residency in Ghana. Developing her first feature, Istwa Dwol.

InstagramLinkedInIMDbnishavisions@gmail.com
Work with us

Booking

Screenings

Bring Threads of Us to your festival, school, church, community or organisation.

  • Screening + Q&A with the director, cast and crew
  • Panel and workshop options

Production

From first idea to final delivery, one team in-house.

  • Impact documentaries
  • Branded films and music videos
  • Narrative film and series

Post & Development

Finishing and story work.

  • Edit, colour and delivery
  • Festival-ready packages
  • Script and actor development

To book, email dseshorts@gmail.com with your project, dates, location and budget. We reply within 48 hours.

Contact

Mek we tell a story together

#wegottheshot

For bookings, press and partnerships, reach the DSE team directly.

dseshorts@gmail.com