I had the opportunity to attend the premiere of FIRST, a romantic drama that began as a web series and has now been transformed into a feature film, available on Prime Video.
The film, which follows Charles (played by Will Catlett), an aspiring documentarian whose chance reunion with childhood friend Robin sparks an unexpected journey of love and self-discovery, explores the emotional complexity of relationships and the beauty of finding true love.
FIRST was originally created by Jahmela Yarbrough, who, as an actress, found herself yearning for roles that reflected the depth of Black love on screen.
“You know, I’ve always had an affinity for love stories and I created it originally as an actress who just wanted to play the ingénue and I wasn’t seeing those opportunities,” Jahmela explained. “I wrote it so fast that I was just trying to get the story out, and I didn’t plan on making this series. But over time, I actually connected with Issa Rae, and she really wanted to see more of the story.”
What started as a passion project quickly transformed into a successful web series.
This heartfelt exploration of Black love has already garnered multiple festival honors, including the coveted Jury and Audience Awards at the Essence Festival, the Audience Award at the Pan African Film Festival, and recognition as a Screencraft Feature Film Finalist. These accolades have added to the film’s growing recognition and success as it continues its journey into the hearts of viewers.
The premiere was a celebration of love, creativity, and the collaboration that went into bringing FIRST to life. Many of the same cast and crew from the web series returned to continue the story, creating a sense of unity and connection in the filmmaking process.
Jahmela’s husband, Brandon Yarbrough, who co-directed the film, reflected on the personal significance of the project.
“This is our first film together. We had our first child during this film. This is more than just love—it’s a lot for us and our family. This project is about ushering in the next generation of content for us.”
Will Catlett, who stars as Charles, shared that the film’s journey had deep personal meaning for him as well.
“Each day is a new first. This project, starting from Issa Rae’s channel, launched so many firsts for me. My career really took off after this,” Catlett said.
FIRST is now available to stream on Prime Video, and its blend of romantic storytelling and personal milestones makes it a must-watch.
Whether you’re discovering the story for the first time or following its evolution from web series to feature film, FIRST offers an authentic portrayal of love, growth, and the human experience.
*Originally posted on EURweb.com
