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Jumping the Broom

"Jumping the Broom" is a 2011 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Salim Akil.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

"Jumping the Broom" is a 2011 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Salim Akil. It centres on two African-American families with different social and economic backgrounds who meet during a wedding weekend on Martha’s Vineyard. The title refers to the Black American wedding tradition of “jumping the broom.”

Plot

The film follows Sabrina Watson and Jason Taylor as they rush into wedding preparations after a whirlwind romance. Their families meet for the first time at Sabrina’s family estate, where cultural, social, and personal tensions surface.

Production and release

The film was directed by Salim Akil and produced by Tracey E. Edmonds, Elizabeth Hunter, T. D. Jakes, Glendon Palmer, and Curtis Wallace. It was released by TriStar Pictures in the United States on May 6, 2011. The film was shot in Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia, which served as a stand-in for Martha’s Vineyard.

Title and cultural reference

The title refers to the wedding custom of jumping over a broom, a tradition associated with some Black American marriages. The film uses that tradition as a symbolic frame for the wedding story.

Reception and distribution

The film was distributed theatrically in the United States and later made available through home and streaming platforms. It is listed as a PG-13 comedy-drama on major film databases and streaming services.

Key facts

  • The film was released in the United States on May 6, 2011.
  • The film is set during a wedding weekend on Martha’s Vineyard.
  • Its story follows the meeting and clash of two families from different backgrounds.
  • The title comes from a Black American wedding tradition in which a couple jumps over a ceremonial broom.
  • Salim Akil made his feature directorial debut with the film.
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Canadian context

The film was shot in Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia, which served as a stand-in for Martha’s Vineyard, giving it a Canadian production connection.

Frequently asked questions

Is Jumping the Broom a comedy or drama?
It is generally classified as a romantic comedy-drama.
Who directed Jumping the Broom?
The film was directed by Salim Akil.
When was Jumping the Broom released?
It was released in the United States on May 6, 2011.
What is the film about?
It follows two families from different backgrounds who meet during a wedding weekend and experience conflict and reconciliation.
What does the title mean?
It refers to the wedding tradition of jumping over a broom, which is associated with some Black American marriages.

References

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1640484/
    Supports: Release year, runtime, director, cast, genre, and U.S. release date.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jumping_the_Broom
    Supports: Plot overview, title origin, filming location in Blue Rocks, Nova Scotia, and production details.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jumping_the_broom
    Supports: Director, writers, cast, rating, release date, genre, and synopsis.
  4. The Numbers — https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Jumping-the-Broom-(2010)
    Supports: Genre and basic film identification.
  5. NPR — https://www.npr.org/2011/05/05/136022913/jumping-the-broom-worlds-and-moms-collide
    Supports: Runtime, genre, rating, and cast.