Actor Dennis Haysbert receives his Career Achievement award from Bahamas Film Commissionerm Craig Woods - Photos by The Bahamas Weekly
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Freeport, Bahamas -
Accomplished
actor Dennis Haysbert was
the first recipient of the FLIFF
On
Location: Grand Bahama Island
,
Career Achievement Award.
The award ceremony took Friday, October 28th, 2011 at the
Canal House at Pelican Bay. The well attended event included a cross section of Bahamian residents and international film industry producers, directors, writers and actors that flew in from around the world specifically to attend Grand Bahama Island's first ever Film Festival and to scout out the island as a possible location for future productions. Also in the audience was special guest, Patricia Poitier. The award was presented by Bahamas Film Commissioner, Craig Woods.
Actor Dennis Haysbert and Bahamas Film Commissionerm Craig Woods - Photos by The Bahamas Weekly
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Those in attendance were treated to a dynamic video montage chronicling the career of Mr. Haysbert. After the short ceremony and presentation, a cocktail reception followed where persons were afforded the opportunity to mix and mingle with Mr. Haysbert; a great majority of eager fans gathered around him to have their photos taken with the world famous actor and to get autographs.
Pamela Poitier - Photos by The Bahamas Weekly
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Dennis Haysbert,
found success in film and television and has maintained a constant
presence on screen over the years. He has appeared in films such
as
Waiting to Exhale,
Love & Basketball,
Jarhead
and
Kung Fu Panda 2.
On television,
he has played the president of the United States on
24 and now
appears as Jonas Blaine in the CBS series,
The Unit. In
addition, he is the easily-recognizable television spokesman for Allstate
insurance.
Pamela Poitier, Karen Seymour MOT and Dennis Haysbert - Photos by The Bahamas Weekly
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In an earlier
interview archived on the imdb.com website, Mr. Haysbert spoke about
his love for acting.
“From the
time I was 10 I think I knew that I wanted to act, and then there was
the caption under my high school picture, [so] it was obvious I had
no doubts,” he said. “I knew what I wanted to do. But I also
had a catalyst, an older brother who died of cancer, and I just happened
to be with him the [day] before he died. He asked me a simple question,
'What do you want to do?' And I said, 'Well, I want to be an actor.'
He asked, 'Where do you want to do it? Can you do it from here?' and
when I said 'No, not really' he said, 'Well, get the hell out of here
then because tomorrow's not promised.' I'll always remember those words.
'Tomorrow's not promised.'”
Bahamian actress Leah Eneas poses with Dennis Haysbert - Photos by The Bahamas Weekly
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Terrance Roberts,
director of Business Development in the Ministry of Tourism & Aviation,
said it is a privilege to pay tribute to an actor of Mr. Haysbert’s
talent. He described him as distinguished and professional, and
pointed out that many actors could aspire to be like Mr. Haysbert.
MOT adviser, Rembrandt Albury poses with Mr. Haysbert - Photos by The Bahamas Weekly
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FLIFF On Location:
Grand Bahama Island takes place October 27 – 30, 2011. Tickets for the
tribute are $15 and can be purchased on Pelican Bay Hotel.
Pelican Bay managerial staff pose with Mr. Haysbert - Photos by The Bahamas Weekly
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Dennis Haysbert and Donna Mackey, MOT - Photos by The Bahamas Weekly
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Nat Cambridge and his band entertained the crowd with smooth calypso tunes - Photos by The Bahamas Weekly
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Charles Moss and Betty Bethel MOT, pose with Mr. Haysbert - Photos by The Bahamas Weekly
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