The Director

Tristan
Barrocks

Jamaican-Canadian Director, Writer & Educator

Telling human-centred stories that centre Black voices, Caribbean identity, and the experiences that don’t always make it to screen.

15+

Years Directing

W3

Multiple Award Winner

ABFF

Festival Recognition

Biography

Tristan Barrocks is a Jamaican-Canadian director, writer, producer, and educator redefining the storytelling landscape from Toronto — with a body of work that spans award-winning short films, national documentary series, and high-impact branded content.

His 2024 documentary, A Letter From the Fathers Chapter II, is a deeply moving exploration of fatherhood, identity, and legacy, offering an intimate look at the transformative experiences of men navigating their roles as fathers. Meanwhile, his 2025 feature film, Sugar Dumplin’—a visually rich, emotionally charged story rooted in Jamaican and Caribbean heritage—is making waves on the festival circuit, premiering at the Oscar-qualifying Pan African Film Festival.

Tristan’s storytelling has also been showcased through projects like the critically acclaimed digital release Dear Black Dad (2021), the 2023 web series Wallflower, the documentary series Connecting the Dots (2019), and the heartfelt special Mother to Mother (2022). His films have screened at prestigious festivals, including the American Black Film Festival, Essence Festival, and the Swedish International Film Festival, earning him recognition as a rising force in the industry.

His directorial excellence has been honoured with multiple W3 Awards, further cementing his reputation as a visionary filmmaker. His work has also been featured on platforms like PlayBlack, Glossy Inc., Loop News, and Medium, where his unique storytelling approach continues to capture attention.

Beyond his own filmmaking, Tristan is committed to mentoring the next generation of storytellers. He is a two-time participant of the Diversity of Voices Initiative, a CMF Radicalized Production Portfolio judge, and a professor at Seneca College, where he teaches emerging filmmakers how to craft compelling narratives.

With A Letter From the Fathers Chapter II (2024), Sugar Dumplin’ (2025), and an ever-growing slate of projects, Tristan Barrocks is carving out a bold path in film and television. Whether behind the camera or in the writer’s room, his mission remains the same: to create stories that inspire, challenge, and leave a lasting impact.

Recognition

Craft acknowledged
by those who know.

W3 Award

Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts

Multiple wins for excellence in advertising and storytelling — one of the most respected honours in digital media.

W3 Award

Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts

Multiple wins for excellence in advertising and storytelling — one of the most respected honours in digital media.

W3 Award

Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts

Multiple wins for excellence in advertising and storytelling — one of the most respected honours in digital media.

W3 Award

Cohort & Delegation Member

Active participant in coalitions that amplify underrepresented voices in Canadian arts and media.

W3 Award

Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts

Multiple wins for excellence in advertising and storytelling — one of the most respected honours in digital media.

W3 Award

Academy of Interactive & Visual Arts

Multiple wins for excellence in advertising and storytelling — one of the most respected honours in digital media.

Teaching & Mentorship

Professor of Digital Media

Seneca College · Toronto

Mentoring the next generation of filmmakers — bringing real-world production experience into the classroom.

Representation

The Digital Storytellers

Represented Director

Represented for commercial and branded content work by The Digital Storytellers.

OYA Arts Coalition

Cohort & Delegation Member

Active participant in coalitions that amplify underrepresented voices in Canadian arts and media.

Available For

Commercial · Narrative · Documentary

Open to brand partnerships, narrative projects, documentary series, and speaking engagements globally.