The LAB Studios Originals is set to premiere Surprise! I Love You, a new Caribbean romantic comedy short film, globally on YouTube September 20.
The film follows Imani (Nadia Adelay), a spontaneous romantic who takes a leap of faith and flies to Jamaica to surprise the person she loves, only to discover that romance rarely sticks to the itinerary. What starts as a hopeful gesture quickly spirals into a string of unexpected twists, awkward run-ins, and comedic complications that test the limits of modern, long-distance love.
Rounding out the story are Malik (Derrick Levy), calm, grounded, and confident; Tasha (Shanice O. Morrison), an unapologetic standards-setter who knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to walk away from what doesn’t meet them; and Desi (Tiffany Silver), whose presence in the friend group adds another layer of commentary and comedy to Imani’s romantic misadventure. The cast also includes Damel Spooner and Andre’ Skeen, who plays Marvin, described as funny, outspoken, and never short on an opinion.
Blending Caribbean culture, cross-border romance, and friend-group dynamics, Surprise! I Love You leans into the gap between the love people imagine from a distance and the reality that greets them once they arrive. Beyond the laughs, the film touches on cultural adjustment, modern dating, and the vulnerability of taking a romantic risk that doesn’t go according to plan.
The short is part of The LAB Studios Originals, a Kingston, Jamaica-based production company built around high-quality, distinctive Caribbean storytelling aimed at international audiences. Created with a digital-first Caribbean audience in mind, the film is designed to showcase contemporary Jamaican humor, culture, and relationship dynamics through a fresh lens on the classic rom-com format.
Surprise! I Love You premieres globally on YouTube September 20, 2026.