Nassau, Bahamas – As part of its overall sponsorship of the 2011 Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), RBC Royal Bank is providing individual sponsorships to 20 students from The College of The Bahamas to attend Master Classes in Acting and Directing to be held during the film festival. The classes are scheduled for December 3 and 4, respectively, from 1:30 – 4:30 pm at the Bahamas International Film Festival Press Office, Aries Conference Room at the Atlantis Resort and Casino.

“Enabling students to participate in these Master Classes ties in with RBC’s broader interest in supporting emerging artists in a wide range of artistic fields,” said Nathaniel Beneby, Jr., RBC Market President, The Bahamas, Cayman and Turks & Caicos Islands. “Not only are artists important to creating vibrant communities, the filmmaking industry is one that has the potential to contribute significantly to the economy of The Bahamas. By supporting students who are just entering this field, we ensure that we develop the talent needed to fuel this industry.”

The Master Class in Acting, will be held on December 3, 2011, features a three-hour interactive demonstration, including opportunities for the attendees to participate in scene studies with a camera and actors in a studio setting. This class will be taught by Sky Nicole Grey, actress in films BETTER MUST COME and RESTLESS CITY both of which are being screened at the 2011 festival. 

The Master Class in Directing, scheduled for December 4, 2011, is also a three-hour interactive session. This class will give aspiring directors the chance to learn the nuts and bolts of directing and to try their hand at directing in scene studies. This class will be taught by critically acclaimed Director/ Screenwriter/Producer Jordan Walker Pearlman. Raised in New York City, Pearlman is the co-principal of the Production Company CinEsssence. Pearlman’s upcoming projects include the Broadway musical Bricktop and a feature-length film DAWANA, which tells the story of America and Africa through the eyes of a young female diplomat.

“We are pleased to offer these Master Classes in conjunction with RBC,” said Leslie Vanderpool, founder and executive director of BIFF. “These classes are one more way we’re engaging new, local talent in the film industry. We encourage anyone in the community who has an interest in acting or directing to attend these classes.”  The Master Classes are open to the public for a cost of $25 per class. For more information, call (242) 356-5939 or go to www.bintlfilmfest.com .  

About RBC Royal Bank

RBC Royal Bank has a longstanding presence in The Bahamas, with operations first established on November 2, 1908.  Today, it boasts a retail network of 20 branches throughout New Providence and the Family Islands, a Commercial Banking Business Centre, and 50 automated banking machines.    

RBC FINCO, established in 1953, is a leading provider of single-and multi-family home mortgages to Bahamians and attractive interest rates for its depositors.  It has 5 branches, a mortgage center and 6 automated banking machines located in New Providence and Freeport. RBC FINCO is owned 25 percent by the general Bahamian public, representing approximately 4,000 shareholders, and 75 percent by its majority shareholder Royal Bank of Canada.  
 

About the Bahamas International Film Festival