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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival shines a spotlight on Grand Bahama
By Robbin Whachell, Editor, The Bahamas Weekly
Nov 4, 2011 - 1:10:13 PM
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Group photo of visiting filmmakers, MOT reps, and FLIFF administration in front of the Grand Lawn at the Grand Lucayan Resort in Freeport. FLIFF on Location: Grand Bahama Island 2011. Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
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Freeport, Bahamas -
The inaugural year of FLIFF on Location: Grand Bahama Island was a resounding success!
The initiative started a year prior when Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) was invited to screen
Beneath the Blue in Freeport at the Regency
Theatre during their 25th festival season in 2010. This sparked the idea of having an "On
Location" 4-day segment for Grand Bahama Island.
A team of people from various walks of life were called to the Grand
Bahama Ministry of Tourism offices to help get the plan in motion.
The result was a well-run and highly appreciated festival by Bahamians, visiting tourists, actors and filmmakers who came from as far away as Australia to enjoy film and camaraderie while taking in the unique location of Grand Bahama Island.
Pelican Bay Hotel's Canal House was the host site and proved itself as an ideal film festival venue. Some of the filmmakers were as young as 12 years old, with the winner of the Grand Bahama Youth Film Competition, Katrina Dorsett (14 yrs) having the opportunity to not only screen her film in Grand Bahama to family and friends, but she was also flown to Fort Lauderdale to screen "Cyberbullying" there as well. The youth competition is said to be opened to the entire Bahamas next year.
FLIFF on Location opening night film at Taino Beach. Leah Eneas of the Bahamas is seen right on the big screen in the American film, Beneath the Blue shot entirely on location in Grand Bahama and directed by Michael Sellers. Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
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The festival opened with
Beneath the Blue which was shot on location of Smith's Point, Grand Bahama and at the UNEXSO dolphin sanctuary. The outdoor screening was set against the backdrop of the Bahamian waters off Taino Beach and the festival was kicked-off by a powerful pre-recorded message by Sir Sidney Poitier. Sir Sidney's daughter Pamela Poitier was present and also had her film screened during the festival.
Two workshops were offered during the weekend, one with world renowned underwater cinematographer and Grand Bahama resident, Paul Mockler, as well as a filmmakers workshop with Bahamian director Kareem Mortimer. No stranger to Grand Bahama, Bahamian actress Leah Eneas, known for her roll in
Beneath the Blue, flew in from Nassau to attend many of festival events
."
I have got to say, that hanging with all those positive, creative and progressive people makes me want to keep motivated!" said Eneas after her visit.
What's a film festival without celebrities!? Dennis Haysbert came in for the entire weekend, and said he was thrilled to spend some time in Grand Bahama and anticipated taking in some diving, snorkeling, horseback riding and time on the golf course. Haysbert was continuously charming and humble, always speaking to anyone who approached him to take a photo. Haysbert received a Career Achievement Award during the festival and is known for his many roles, in particular those in
24, The Unit, Far From Heaven, Waiting to Exhale and of course as the Allstate Man on TV.
Dennis Haysbert receives his Career Achievement Award by Bahamas Film Commissioner, Craig Woods. The award is a cultural replica of a Bahamian Junkanoo participant Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
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Films, films, films! Visiting international films featured were:
Beneath the Blue (USA)
, Delhi in a Day (India)
, Happy (USA)
, Miss South Pacific: Beauty & Sea (USA / Fiji)
, Last Rites of Joe May (USA)
, Legend of Ivan Tors (USA),
Cairo Exit (Egypt)
, Abandon Ship: The Sinking of The SV Concordia (Canada)
, About Fifty (USA, FLIFF opening film during FLIFF On Location: Sunrise)
, Hanging Your Shorts, Silver Case (Italy / USA
), There Once Was An Island (New Zealand)
, and
Late Bloomer (USA)
. All were acknowledged for their important participation in the first ever film festival for Grand Bahama Island.
The festival showcased the following Bahamian films:
Addicted, Bui, Comin’ over Tonite, Jasmines, Knocking Duh Conch Style, Politicking In Paradise, Salt Cay, Shakespeare in LYTES,
Islands of Life,
Surprise,
Andros: Living Off the Sea & Land,
Unashamed and
Cyber-Bullying. Taking top placement at the award ceremony was Nathaniel Lewis'
Politicking in Paradise and Devron Pinder's
Knocking Duh Conch Style, and Jackie Dack's
Shakespeare LYTES.
At the screening of the American-Italian film, Silver Case. Actor, writer, producer, Ana Maria Belo from Australia with actors from Silver Case (left to right: Chris Facey, Brian Keith Gamble, and Vincent De Paul Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
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On top of the many events of film festivals such as galas, mix & mingles, screenings, workshops, awards, and after parties, visiting film people participated in a familiarization trip by way of a Jeep caravan around the island to see all that the destination of Grand Bahama has to offer. Many of those visiting said they couldn't wait to come back!
"The weekend was a blast all around. From the Dennis Haysbert tribute
to the screening of some great films, from getting to know some very talented film
makers. Everyone was so kind and welcoming. We feel very fortunate and
honoured to screen 'Silver Case' at such a great event!" said Chris Facey of Los Angeles, one of the lead actors in
Silver Case which was screened to a large audience on the final night.
"
On Location: Grand Bahama Island was a
magnificent experience! Everyone was so welcoming, professional and
attentive to the cast of 'Silver Case'. I look forward to returning to
Grand Bahama Island for future events," said actor Brian Gamble also of Silver Case.
At the awards ceremony in Churchill's at the Grand Lucayan. The festival has most certainly inspired the youth of The Bahamas strive for and to actualize their in film making! Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
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All events throughout the weekend were open to the public and were offered at an extremely reasonable price. All Access Passes were only $50, and a 1-day film pass they were only $7. If you missed your chance to attend, than you will get another opportunity next year!
The benefits and bi-product of
such a wonderful festival is that now the island has a handful of new and
very
enthusiastic filmmakers who were able to create
first films,
all sparked by the FLIFF American-Bahamian partnership.
Grand Bahamians were also afforded the opportunity to rub shoulders with film people and view thought-provoking films they might not otherwise see.
For more information on FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama Island click HERE and to view TheBahamasWeekly.com comprehensive photo Galleries visit The Bahamas Weekly's Facebook page.
To view the films entered in Grand Bahama Youth Film Competition visit their Facebook page.
To gear up for FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama Island 2012 and the great
opportunities available in the film industry on Grand Bahama Island '
Like' their Facebook page.
FLIFF on Location: Grand Bahama sponsors were: Bahamas Celebration, TheBahamasWeekly.com
, The City of Freeport Council, Port Lucaya Market Place and Port Lucaya Marina, The Grand Lucayan Bahamas Beach and Golf Resort, Pelican Bay Hotel and Sky Bahamas Airlines.
For ALL related FLIFF on Location: Grand Bahama articles / video CLICK HERE
Pamela Poitier (FLIFF featured filmmaker and daughter of Sir Sidney) with FLIFF Career Achievement honouree, Dennis Haysbert at the Canal House, Pelican Bay Hotel. Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
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From Nassau, actor Leah Eneas (left) and Bahamian filmmaker Kareem Mortimer at the outdoor screening of Beneath the Blue, of which Eneas had a prominent role. Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
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The group of visiting and international filmmakers / actors to Grand Bahama are acknowledged. Far left is Bahamas Film Commission Craig Woods and far right is Karen Seymour of Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism. Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
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Some of the Bahamian filmmakers who had their film screened at FLIFF on Location: Grand Bahama Island during the awards ceremony at Churchill's. Photo: TheBahamasWeekly.com
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© Copyright 2011 by thebahamasweekly.com
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