A Bermudian screenwriter has earned her first movie credit for work on an award-winning film.

Sia Spence was appointed associate producer on the full-length feature Waterboyz, which opened in US theatres last September.

The film, which is also available on streaming services such as Apple TV and Tubi, has since received critical acclaim.

Bermudian audiences will have the opportunity to see Waterboyz when it makes its island premiere next Saturday at the Crime Stoppers 8th Annual Film Experience Weekend.

Ms Spence will attend the screening along with the film’s producer, Tirrell D. Whittley, and executive producer, Dolapo Erinkitola.

Ms Spence, who studied media production at college in the US, went on to land a job as a contracted creative executive for Mr Whittley’s production company, Liquid Soul.

An accomplished screenwriter and instructor who has written two films, Ms Spence was tasked with editing the first draft of the Waterboyz screenplay.

She said: “I was consulted on the script and after that, as an associate producer, had an administrative role.

“I made sure that all the producers were on the same page so that the film was on track and made on budget. I was very much in the background.“

Waterboyz tells the story of best friends Drew and Dolo growing up in Atlanta, with ambitions to broaden their horizons.

To finance their dreams, they sell bottled water on street corners, and are soon confronted by a local gangster and his crew.

Ms Spence said: “They come across individuals who are not as clean as them and as a result they have to navigate hurdles to chase their dreams, but only one of them makes it out.

“I was inspired by the film’s message because there is so much violence among young people today but the film shows that you can come out of whatever situation you’re in.

“Just because you come from the streets, you don’t have to stay on the streets.

“You can overcome obstacles and conflict — you just have to keep pushing and make the right choices.”

The film stars Alani “La La” Anthony, Quavo, Omar Dorsey and Rockmond Dunbar.

Independent film-maker Coke Daniels went on to win the Best Director prize at the American Black Film Festival in Miami for his work on Waterboyz.

Ms Spence had a successful career as a singer in Bermuda before she decided to change course and study at the American InterContinental University in Atlanta.

She said: “Since graduating in 2017, I have been actively working in the film industry, climbing my way up the ladder and discovering my niche in screenwriting and script consultancy.

“Film-making has become another love.”

Since working on Waterboyz, Ms Spence has picked up a second associate producer credit for another film, Little Brother. Her two full-length feature screenplays are being “shopped” to investors and networks.

Ms Spence was invited to enter the film in the Crime Stoppers fundraising festival being held next week after meeting organisers in Bermuda, who were impressed by the film’s anti-gun violence message and its connection to the island.

She said: “It’s going to be a powerful moment for me as a Bermudian film-maker with an associate producer credit on a theatrical release.”

• The Crime Stoppers festival screening of Waterboyz will be at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute at 6.30pm next Saturday