Freeport, Bahamas - Under the palm trees on the beautiful shores of Grand Bahama, the family feature film,
Beneath the Blue screened against the backdrop of the azure waters to open FLIFF on Location: Grand Bahama Island, an offshoot of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
The screening was free to all and there ended up being standing room only as movie enthusiasts enjoyed the film which was shot on location in the neighbouring community of Smith's Point and at the UNEXSO dolphin sanctuary.
Minister of Works Kenneth Russell, MP for High Rock and Mrs. Russell greet FLIFF Career Achievement recipient, actor Dennis Haysbert Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
On hand for the screening was Bahamian actress Leah Eneas who flew in from Nassau. She had a prominent role in the film directed by Michael Sellers. It was announced that a third movie will be coming in the series, as well as a TV pilot. The film's underwater cinematographer, Paul Mockler, a resident of Grand Bahama, was also on hand.
"Beneath The Blue" projected on a massive screen at Taino Beach with ocean as the backdrop Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
Bahamas Film Commissioner Craig Woods welcomed the audience and introduced a pre-recorded message by movie legend, Sir Sidney Poitier, who grew up in The Bahamas. Poitier's message was powerful and moving.
International guests of FLIFF including actors, writers, producers and film star Dennis Haysbert were shuttled to the park by water on the Bahama Mama. Local Rotarians provided food and refreshments including popcorn.
ABOUT THE FILM: Alyssa
Harker, an 18-year-old dolphin researcher works with her famous
scientist father Hawk on Grand Bahama developing a dolphin language.
Beneath the Blue picks up where Eye of the Dolphin left off, showing
Alyssa's powerful bond with the wild dolphin Rasca. Having assimilated
to the island, the research center and the dad she never knew, Alyssa is
now tested when she meets a somewhat mysterious tourist named Craig.
BENEATH
THE BLUE features Paul Wesley, who stars in the smash CW hit television
series “Vampire Diaries." He was recently named one of Cosmopolitan’s
“Fun Fearless Males of 2010". Caitlin Wachs (Alysssa) was named one of
People Magazine’s “20 Teenagers Who Will Change The World” and received
the Young Star Award from The Hollywood Reporter. David Keith (Hawk) is
currently starring in the new hit Fox TV Series “Lonestar”, and is best
known for his work in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “Behind Enemy
Lines”. The majority of the shoot took place in the quaint, friendly
town of Smith’s Point, Grand Bahama, where Director Michael D Sellers
worked creatively intertwining the actors and story with the Bahamian
community both on land as well as beneath the ocean. Sellers captured
researched developments of human-dolphin interaction while bridging
fictional elements with actual ongoing supreme court rulings. Bahamian actress Leah Eneas landed a good role in this film.
Actor Dennis Haysbert in the audience enjoying the experience on Taino Beach, Grand Bahama. Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
Grand Bahama Youth Film Competition winner, Katrina Dorsett was presented with her prizes of $500 by Chantal Bethel, co-founder of the Grand Bahama Heritage Foundation, and James Sarles of James Sarles Realty presented her with a GoPro camera.
FLIFF On-Location: Grand Bahama Island
will feature:
Underwater Cinematography Workshop
by award-winning cinematographer Paul Mockler
Film Workshop by Bahamian Film
Producer, Karim Mortimer
Complimentary outdoor screenings
The inaugural ‘Grand Bahama
Youth Film Competition’ Winner’s Screening - a competition for young
filmmakers (14 to 18 years old).
Film Commissioner Craig Woods declares FLIFF On Location Grand Bahama Island officially opened Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
7 PM
– Dennis Haysbert Tribute & Reception – Neptune’s Pool
Saturday, October 29th
10 AM - 6 PM
– Made in The Bahamas –
Canal House
10 AM
–
Legend of Ivan Tors
–
Canal House
10:30 AM
–
Filmmaker Tour – Canal House Lobby
Noon
–
Cairo Exit –
Canal House
2 PM
–
Abandon Ship: The Sinking of SV Concordia
–
Canal House
2:30 PM
– Student Films
– Canal House
4 PM
–
About Fifty –
Canal House
6 PM
–
Islands of Life –
Canal House
8 PM
–
Silver Case –
Canal House
10 PM
–
Hanging Your Shorts - Count Basie Square
10 PM
– Catamaran Party - Port Lucaya Marina
Gregory Von Hausch welcomes Dennis Haysbert and filmmakers to VIP Brunch reception at the Canal House, Pelican Bay Hotel, the festival host site. Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
Sunday, October 30th
Noon
–
Andros: Living Off the Sea & Land
–
Canal House
1:45 PM
–
Late Bloomer –
Canal House
2 PM
– Awards & Closing Party
– Grand Lucayan Resort
“All Movies All
Day,” “All Access” and “Function Tickets” are now available for the Fort
Lauderdale International Film Festival on location at Grand Bahama
Island. In addition, organizers have released the full schedule of films
and special events to take place during the occasion, which will run
from Thursday, October 27 to Sunday, October 30.
Katrina Dorsett receives her prizes for winning the Grand Bahama Youth Film Competition. Pictured (l-R) Katrina Dorsett, James Sarles of Coldwell Banker James Sarles Realty; Betty Bethel,MOT; Chantel Bethel of GB Heritage Foundation. Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
In addition to two
workshops: Underwater Cinematography and Filmmaking in the Caribbean,
more than 25 films will be shown over three days during the inaugural
FLIFF On Location at the state of the art Canal House at Pelican Bay
Resort. Two films will be shown free of charge to the public in an
outdoor setting at Taino Beach and Count Basie Square.
Celebrated actors,
directors, producers and writers will arrive by sea and air for the
weekend event. Visitors and residents are encouraged to participate.
All Movies All Day tickets will sell for $7.00, Function tickets for
$15.00 and
All Access tickets for $50.00 per person.
