Editor’s Note — As part of our countdown to 2025, WYDaily is revisiting its most-read and favorite stories of the year. Reporter Natalia Cartagena Diaz selected this as one of her top stories, both because it was one of the first she wrote for WYDaily, and because it stands out as an uplifting arts-and-entertainment story that reflects how local voices are shaping and contributing to the region’s cultural landscape.
JAMES CITY COUNTY — This Saturday, Sept. 27, Williamsburg will roll out the red carpet at Regal New Town for the premiere of “I’ll Find You,” a debut feature from local writer and producer Keesya Hill-Jones.
The psychological thriller, filmed entirely in Williamsburg, is said to take audiences on a gripping journey through themes of mental health, resilience, and the ripple effect of life-changing moments. For Hill-Jones, the premiere marks not only the unveiling of her latest work, but also the realization of a creative journey years in the making.
For Hill-Jones, the story was born out of reflection during the pandemic.
“Mental illness, homelessness, addiction, abuse. These are major issues people are faced with, and I felt this movie touched on all four in different ways. I just thought people could really relate to it,” she said.
The film follows Eric Timberlake, a rising NBA star whose life unravels after a career-ending injury. His struggle, and the choices he makes as a result, have consequences that ripple out to everyone around him. Hill-Jones wanted to capture the reality of how quickly life can shift.
“In a split second, your whole life can change,” she said. “I wanted to show how one person’s bad choices can trickle down and impact so many others.”
The title “I’ll Find You” reflects the dual narratives woven into the story.
“There are two stories actually playing at one time,” Hill-Jones shared. “That title allowed me to capture both, and it really comes together at the end of the film.”
Though it marks her first feature, the production came together quickly, thanks to support from the City of Williamsburg and the guidance of director Alan Delake.
“Williamsburg was very welcoming with me, finding locations and people helping me,” she said. “It is my desire to do more films in Virginia. I really want to put a great stamp here.”
The film also gave actors room to deeply inhabit their roles, she said. Hill-Jones recalled one actor going above and beyond to get in touch with the character he is portraying.
“He actually went out into the community and spent time with people experiencing homelessness to submerge himself in that environment,” Hill-Jones said. “I gave my cast flexibility to own their characters and bring something additional to the roles.”
For Hill-Jones, premiering the film in Williamsburg was intentional. She wanted to give the people of Williamsburg the opportunity to experience what people in Hollywood or New York feel when attending a premiere. It is a gift she wanted to give to the community.
Representation is also central to her work.
“As an African American woman, I feel proud to represent this new generation,” she said. “But I want to write content that can be viewed and related to by many different cultures and races. This film is one anyone can connect with.”
Beyond filmmaking, Hill-Jones is a business owner in Williamsburg who provides care for the elderly. She sees both roles — filmmaker and caregiver — as ways to bring light to her community.
“In anything I do, I try to give people the best of me,” she said. “I hope this film shows that if you have a dream, it’s possible to make it happen, even here, even now.”
“I’ll Find You” will continue its premiere tour in Washington, D.C., Oct. 11 and will also participate in Atlanta’s Peachtree Village International Film Festival Oct. 18.
