A short film inspired by a Bermudian landmark will be shown on the silver screen at an American film festival.

Isle of Devils was produced by Bermudian film-maker Kalilah Robinson and filmed on island with a crew made up mostly of Bermudian talent.

The film tells a fictionalised story about Portuguese Rock, an enigmatic rock carving from the 1500s, and what led up to its creation.

Ms Robinson said that she wanted to showcase Bermuda and its talent to tell stories that were not always recognised.”

She added: “I think as a Black person, and especially as a Black woman, if I can show these stories then someone could feel like they could tell their own, similar stories.

“I love our island and I definitely want to show more stories about it.”

Isle of Devils follows Father Damiåo, a Portuguese missionary who washes ashore an uncolonised Bermuda as the only survivor of a shipwreck.

He soon encounters a mysterious woman whom he tries to get close to, despite his superstitious understanding of the island.

Ms Robinson said that the project was “incredibly special” to her because she had been dreaming about it since her childhood.

She explained over social media: “In elementary school, Bermudian kids learn about Portuguese Rock, an historical carving on a cliff face on the island’s south shore.

“A few weathered characters and the still legible date — 1543 — serve as the earliest evidence of human habitation of the island, as well as its oldest graffiti.

“But who left this inscription? What caused them to be there? What became of them given that Bermuda wasn’t officially ‘settled’ for another 66 years?”

Ms Robinson later went on to describe the story as a period piece with elements of drama and survival thriller.

Ms Robinson served as the screenwriter and producer, brought aboard several people she knew from her time in film school.

However, she said that most of her team was Bermudian, with even the lead actor, Jason Eddy, being an alumnus that Ms Robinson knew from her time at Saltus Grammar School.

Ms Robinson said: “I actually had Jason in mind while I was writing the part of Father Damiåo.”

Filming for Isle of Devils took place in the late 2010s after Ms Robinson was able to get funding through the Bermuda Arts Centre Legacy Fund.

She admitted that it was difficult trying to find a beach that appeared untouched by people.

Isle of Devils’ production eventually stalled by the Covid-19 pandemic and later by the SAG-AFTRA Hollywood labour union strikes of 2023.

Ms Robinson added that, like many other independent films, the team had to pause occasionally to secure funding.

She said: “It took a little while, but we were very keen to have this shown to people.”

Isle of Devils will premiere on Sunday at the Micheaux Film Festival at 1.30pm Pacific Daylight Time.

The film will be available for streaming, but Ms Robinson said that she hoped to bring the film to Bermuda.