An all-Bermudian film that journeys through the ancestral dreams of a young Gombey dancer has been nominated and honoured in the prestigious Webby Awards celebrating excellence on the internet.

Thoughts Become Things, a poetic, six-minute short produced by Bermudian creative company SJD World, has been nominated in the Creators: Art and Culture category, placing it among the top 11 per cent of more than 13,000 projects entered from around the world.

It has also been recognised as a Webby Honoree in the Video and Film: Independent Short Film category — a distinction awarded to only the top 25 per cent of all work entered and granted by the judges of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

The Webby Honoree distinction has already been awarded and belongs to the film permanently.

The nomination in the Creators: Art and Culture category now moves to a public vote, and Bermuda has until April 16 to help to “bring the People's Voice Award home”.

This recognition carries special weight for Stephan Johnstone, SJD World’s founder. In 2006, SJDWorld.com was nominated in the Webby Awards’ Best Student Website category, a moment he described at the time as feeling like “they shone a flashlight on us.”

Mr Johnstone said: “Twenty years later, that same creative spirit, now channelled into a Bermudian poetry film seen in 11 countries, is back on the Webby Awards stage with two recognitions.

“We started with a poem — a six-minute film, made right here in Bermuda, by Bermudians, about a tradition that has been part of this island for generations.

“To be recognised at the Webby Awards twice, in the top tier of more than 13,000 entries, is something we are deeply proud of, not just for SJD World, but for Bermuda.”

Adding to the momentum, Thoughts Become Things has just been shortlisted in the People’s Telly, Film and Shorts category at the 47th Annual Telly Awards, a respected film and video industry event.

The People's Telly is decided entirely by public vote and voting is open until April 17.

This shortlist, arriving in the same week as the Webby recognition, marks a significant moment for the project and for Bermudian independent film-making.

The team is still seeking sponsorship to fund the production of a music video, which will serve as the fourth visual instalment in the project, and to support continued international marketing outreach.

Mr Johnstone thanked the film’s sponsors and said anyone interested in becoming a sponsor can do so by visiting sjdworld.com/thoughts.

He said he was proud of that project has used Bermudian talent throughout.

Mr Johnstone added: “What makes this recognition particularly meaningful is what the film represents.

“Thoughts Become Things is not a film made about Bermuda by outside eyes. Every creative decision, from the writing to the direction, the music, the photography and the voices heard on screen, was made by Bermudians.”

The film was written by Mr Johnstone, a poet, directed and filmed by Marq Rodriguez, a cinematographer, and scored by Derek G Simmons, a music producer. Jayde Gibbons provided photography.

Six of Bermuda's active Gombey troupes were collaborators in the project, which was funded by Bermudian individuals, organisations and cultural institutions.

Premiered in Bermuda in 2024, it was shot across six locations embedded in the island’s history, from Mr Johnstone’s family home in Devil's Hole to Court Street, Horseshoe Beach, St David's Island, a Southampton railway tunnel and Southlands Park.

The film’s synopsis reads: “Thoughts Become Things follows a young Bermudian Gombey on a breathtaking journey as he encounters his ancestors, a tale as gripping as it is mystical.

“Rooted in themes of ancestry, identity and spiritual guidance, the film weaves traditional Gombey imagery with a dreamlike narrative grounded in spoken-word poetry.”

The film has been selected by 22 festivals across 11 countries and has won ten awards including Best Short Film at the Mosaic International Film Festival of Arts and Culture in Canada and Best Narrative Film at the International Poetry Film Festival in Los Angeles.

It is subtitled in five languages, English, Japanese, Spanish, Portuguese and French, and is free to watch on YouTube.

The project has since grown into a full multimedia body of work, including a 12-track original soundtrack on all major streaming platforms and a companion mini-documentary, Decoding Thoughts, featuring the voices of Gombey captains and community members who helped to bring the film to life.