CCTA’s Inaugural Rising Stars Programme Opens Doors for Creatives in St. Kitts and Nevis
For more than four decades, the Caribbean Cable & Telecommunications Association has played a significant role in delivering content to cable audiences across the region. But according to board member Patricia Walters, the organisation is now turning its attention toward something equally important — developing and commercialising Caribbean talent.
Speaking during the 2026 CCTA Conference in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Walters described the launch of the inaugural Rising Stars Programme as a deliberate investment in the future of the Caribbean’s creative economy.
“The whole world has changed,” Walters explained. “Traditionally, we’ve been looking at content from other regions and not the Caribbean. We know the Caribbean has rich content, but we need avenues to get that content commercialised.”
The Rising Stars Programme was created to bridge that gap by connecting emerging creatives with established industry professionals who can mentor, guide, and expose them to international opportunities.
The inaugural staging held in St. Kitts and Nevis, brought together aspiring videographers, actors, scriptwriters, content creators, distributors, and media professionals for three days of mentorship, networking, and industry training.
What initially started as an initiative designed for 30 participants quickly exceeded expectations.
“The response locally has been fantastic,” Walters shared. “We got over 70 applications. We couldn’t take all 70, but we increased the programme by 25%, moving from 30 to 40 Rising Stars.”
For Walters, success is not solely defined by fame or celebrity status, but by whether participants leave with tools that can positively shape their creative journeys.
“If only one Rising Star achieves huge commercial success, it would have been worth it,” she said. “But if all 40 participants walk away with something that helps them on their journey, that too would be a fantastic achievement.”
A key component of the initiative focused heavily on mentorship and relationship building, with Walters encouraging participants to remain intentional long after the conference concludes.
“The whole point of this is networking,” she stressed. “Get people’s contact details. Keep in touch. The Rising Stars cannot just sit back and expect people to push on them. We have given them this opportunity.”
Throughout the programme, participants engaged with regional and international media professionals including executives and creatives connected to major networks and distribution platforms. Walters noted that several mentors had already expressed interest in introducing participants to international distributors and wider industry opportunities.
However, she also emphasised that the responsibility for growth must be mutual.
“When someone opens a door for you, you have to make the effort,” she said. “If you’re struggling, go back to the mentor and ask for help. The responsibility is on both sides.”
Walters also candidly addressed the importance of commitment and professionalism within the creative industry, expressing disappointment that some selected participants failed to attend portions of the programme despite strong public interest.
“We had over 70 people apply,” she noted. “So when some selected participants do not show up, it does a disservice to those who were not selected and would have valued the opportunity.”
The initiative itself was championed by media executive Johnny Miles, whom Walters credited as one of the driving forces behind bringing the programme to life.
“This has been something Johnny has spoken about for years,” she said. “This is inaugural in the Caribbean, and it will now become an annual event at CCTA.”
While this year’s programme was uniquely positioned in St. Kitts and Nevis, Walters revealed that future editions are expected to rotate throughout the Caribbean and potentially expand to destinations such as Miami and Puerto Rico.
Importantly, she confirmed that standout participants from St. Kitts and Nevis may receive sponsorship opportunities to attend future editions abroad.
“The ones who are serious about this opportunity, we will remember them,” Walters said. “Wherever it is next year, whether another Caribbean island or elsewhere, we intend to sponsor a few participants from here to attend.”
As the curtains close on the inaugural programme, Walters believes the Rising Stars initiative represents far more than a workshop series. Instead, she sees it as the beginning of a sustainable regional platform aimed at unlocking Caribbean creativity and positioning local talent on the global stage.
“We have the talent,” she said. “Now we’re creating pathways for that talent to grow, connect, and succeed.”
