When Jono Thompson, a BA (Hons) Illustration and Visual Media student at London College of Communication (LCC), first came across a casting call for a documentary marking the 75th anniversary of Windrush, he didn’t hesitate to apply. “It seemed very specific to me, and I felt like I didn’t want to miss it.”
That decision would take him from his family home in East London to the Barbados Independent Film Festival, where he would attend the screening of the 'Windrush75: Forging Ahead' documentary featuring his own family’s story — and, in the process, gain a deeper connection with his Caribbean heritage.
'Windrush75: Forging Ahead' is a commemorative documentary, funded by LCC and commissioned by LCC lecturer Maureen Salmon, to honour the legacy of the Windrush generation — Caribbean immigrants who came to the UK between 1948 and the early 1970s to help rebuild post-war Britain. Many faced racism and unequal treatment, and their contributions were long overlooked.
Directed by LCC alum r. and collaboratively produced by students from a range of courses across LCC, the film features three young London-based creatives of Caribbean heritage as they reflect on their personal journeys, creative practices, and visions for the future. Interwoven with their narratives are the migration stories of their families who came to the UK during the Windrush era.
Jono appeared in the film alongside his parents and grandparents and also contributed original graphics to the project. For Jono, it was a rare chance to formally document the stories he’d grown up hearing, and to hear them in fuller detail.
“My parents were enthusiastic about being interviewed, and my grandparents were happy to be involved too. The story of how each of them got here is so interesting, as well as the things they tell us about growing up in Barbados and how different it was coming here in the 60s and having to adjust. I’ve always thought it was important to capture their stories. They have an immense wealth of experiences — things that I think need to be heard.”
During the interviews, Jono heard some more details of his family’s stories. He recalls a particularly emotional story his mother tells of an incident of racism from her neighbours from her childhood. “When my mum was telling one of her stories, I could see on her face that she was reliving it — she got a bit emotional as she was saying it... To have access to a record of my parents and grandparents telling their stories is very valuable to me. Like a kind of time capsule that you can bring out years in the future.”
'Windrush75: Forging Ahead' was screened across the UK — including at the Windrush Caribbean Film Festival, a private screening hosted by Warner Bros., and as part of Peckhamplex’s Black History Month programme. But when the film was selected for the Barbados Independent Film Festival, Jono made his first-ever solo trip to attend.
He stayed with relatives in St. George, and the trip gave him a chance to strengthen those relationships in a meaningful way. “It was the first time I’d been to Barbados alone and as an adult,” he says. “We really got to talk and bond properly. My uncle and auntie and other relatives and friends came to the screening — they were proud, and it was well received. A Bajan (Barbadian) story being told in Barbados felt refreshing for everyone.”
The screening, held at the Barbados Museum, marked a meaningful moment for Jono: “I felt almost like I was more Bajan there, in Barbados, watching myself talk about my family and how our home is very much at the heart of it. Seeing it on the screen as a viewer, it felt like more than just my family memories – it felt like a story worth sharing.”
Beyond the screening, the trip had a deep personal and professional impact on Jono. “I’ve gained confidence with travelling and feel more comfortable navigating new environments,” he says. “Networking was a big thing too. I can get anxious, but I pushed myself to strike while the iron was hot — and I ended up meeting other Bajan comic book artists, animators, illustrators, publishers and content creators.”
For Jono, the most meaningful part of the trip was spending time with family. “Even if I hadn’t managed to network, I’d have been happy just getting to know my aunt and uncle better. I got both, which I’m really grateful for. Looking back, it’s quite encouraging.
Jono’s trip to Barbados didn’t just deepen personal connections, it also became a turning point in his creative journey. The visit sparked the idea for his final degree project, Vessel — a comic shaped by the island’s culture, landscape, and history.
“I got a lot out of the trip in terms of influence and inspiration for my current creative project... I paid more attention to how it looks and feels — the climate, the nature, and the culture.”
Set in a lush, tropical world, ‘Vessel’ draws heavily from the Bajan countryside and coastline. “The trees, the light, the colours, the whole atmosphere really shaped the mood of the world I’m building. It’s inspired by movies and games too, but that tropical setting really came from my trip.”
At the centre of the story is a warrior-like character, guided by a mysterious trident — a direct reference to the Barbados flag. “When I realised the trident on the flag was broken, I looked into it more. It symbolises freedom from colonialism. In my comic, the trident controls the character, almost like it's ruling or enslaving him. The story becomes about him building the strength to resist it — and eventually breaking free.”
While at the Barbados Independent Film Festival, Jono was interviewed by cultural ambassadors about how he’s exploring Bajan identity through his work: “It made me realise how much I want that connection to be part of my art — to make it more personal and authentic.”
Reflecting on the experience, Jono says: “This journey helped me feel more familiar with where I’m from — and now I get to bring that into my art.”
As he approaches graduation, Jono is finalising his comic — a vivid blend of Caribbean history, personal heritage, and fantasy — and is already in conversation with a local publisher in Barbados.
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