By Shereita Grizzle—

For those who have been waiting, the time has come. The official Jamaican premiere of the film, Destiny, has been set for Monday at the Carib 5 Cinemas in Cross Roads, Kingston.

The red-carpet event is scheduled to start at 7 p.m., with cocktails just before the actual screening at 8 p.m. It is also expected that the film’s cast and crew, many of whom are well-known entertainers and public figures, will be in attendance, including lead actor Christopher Martin, Miss Kitty, and comedian Ian ‘Ity’ Ellis.

The Jamaican premiere of the movie was originally set to take place in the country’s two major cities, but according to the film’s director, Jeremy Whittaker, the Montego Bay premiere is no longer on the agenda. “We really wanted to go to Montego Bay, but based on circumstances beyond our control, we cannot, and so the Kingston premiere will be the only premiere event before the film officially opens in theatres,” he said. Whittaker encouraged Jamaicans to come out to the premiere as it guarantees them some exclusive time with the cast. “The meet-and-greet experience will be one to treasure, plus you get to see all the behind-the-scenes footage, things you won’t see at the theatres.”

Destiny is expected to open in theatres islandwide next Wednesday, and Whittaker expects the film will be a hit with the Jamaican audience, saying they should look out for a great movie. “It is a solid Jamaican movie and I hope the audience will enjoy it. It features a lot of home-grown talent, faces Jamaicans are accustomed to, and that I think makes it all the more exciting.” The trailer for the movie was revealed earlier this month via YouTube under Whittaker’s Grasshopper Productions label and has already amassed more than 8,000 views.

Tickets are now available for purchase at Answers Gifts and Home Centre in Tropical Plaza, Half-Way Tree, Carib 5 Box Office, Cross Roads, and Base Kingston in Manor Park. Each ticket will cost $4,500 and part proceeds from sales will go towards the Kiwanis Club of New Kingston, for the Blood Bank’s National Blood Transfusion Unit.