GBPA IS A FLIFF SPONSOR: The successful Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival, FLIFF on Location returns to Grand Bahama next month, due to the generous support of corporate sponsors like The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA). Pictured (left to right) during a cheque presentation are: Donna Mackey, Bahamas Film Commission/Ministry of Tourism; Denise Adderley, Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board; GBPA-VP Moxey; Tiahjah Smith, FLIFF Student entrant; and Laquez Williams, FLIFF Open Category entrant.

Sunday, 23rd September, 2012 – Freeport, Bahamas – The Grand Bahama Port Authority, Limited (GBPA) is a contributing sponsor of this year’s Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) with FLIFF on Location, slated to be held October 25 – 28 on Grand Bahama Island.  Event organizers and two young FLIFF film entrants were recently welcomed by GBPA Vice President, Ginger Moxey, who chatted with the group and presented a sponsorship cheque.

Extending commendation, Vice President Moxey first praised the organizers on the return of the film festival.  “Last year’s event was an eye-opener for many international filmmakers on the potential that exists here in Grand Bahama for the production of major movie films.  With the festival’s return this year, it shows that you’ve built on the interest that was spurred last year and we’re pleased to render our support as you showcase the advantages of our island and skill sets of our residents to an even greater array of persons in the film industry,” she said.

Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board’s Director of Marketing Services, Denise Adderley concurred.  “The objective of this event is to really highlight Grand Bahama as a destination for film making.  So, we have about 15 to 20 filmmakers and producers that are confirmed for next month’s event and they’ll have an opportunity to see the destination and see the potential that lies here and hopefully return to shoot a movie because that’s our real goal and objective in exposing them to the destination,” Adderley added.

Also on hand for the cheque presentation were two of thirteen successful entrants in the film competition of the festival.  Moxey extended congratulations to the duo as well, for their creativity and entrance into a non-traditional career field for young Bahamians.  “Not only is Grand Bahama blessed with a natural beauty for film making but we have scores of talented young persons who have received training from similar projects in the past and others whose unknown talents are discovered through festivals such as these,” she stated.  “Therein lays an even greater reason for GBPA to show its support for the arts.”

Bahamas Film Commission/Ministry of Tourism representative, Donna Mackey was similarly enthused by this year’s level of competition entrants.  “We’re really pleased to have seen an increase in the number of film competition submissions.  Also, the substance and creativity were greatly improved with really impacting themes,” she noted.  According to Mackey, competition categories were broadened to allow more members of the community to participate, with prizes of $300, $500, and $1,000 to be awarded to winners in the Student, College and Open categories, respectively.

GBPA EXECUTIVE MEETS FLIFF ENTRANTS – GBPA-Vice President, Ginger Moxey (centre) met two of the young local filmmakers entered in this year’s Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) slated to be held next month in Grand Bahama. Pictured (left from right) are: Tiahjah Smith, FLIFF Student entrant; GBPA-VP Moxey; and Laquez Williams, FLIFF Open Category entrant.

Student finalist, Tiahjah Smith revealed that her entry into the film competition was unplanned.  A recent graduate of Sunland Baptist College, Tiahjah’s submission entitled ‘The Blame’ was really a Religious Knowledge class project done by her and two other students.  The short film documents the experiences of a bullied, female student and won the attention of her Religious Knowledge teacher and FLIFF’s Blue Ribbon Panel who screened the submissions.  Taihjah offered this comment. “I would definitely enter again and encourage others to do so because you never know unless you try.”

Laquez Williams, a finalist in FLIFF’s Open Category expressed similar sentiments.  Director of the media ministry at Jubilee Cathedral, William’s 30-minute film was produced by some 15 persons for a church conference.  After receiving positive feedback, he too entered the FLIFF film competition and now eagerly awaits announcement of the winners at next month’s festival.  With a Bachelors’ degree in Multi-media and Business, Williams was able to exercise his skills as assistant scriptwriter, director, cameraman and assistant editor. “To others I would say, ‘give it a try’,” Williams offered.  “You would be surprised to see what you can pull out of people even whilst they’re acting and how they can be healed because of that interaction.”

FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama Island  is a collaboration between the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board. The event has been made possible through the generous support of the following sponsors: Pelican Bay Hotel; TheBahamasWeekly.com; Mackey Media Ltd; Bahamas Celebration Cruises; Bahamasair; Balearia Bahamas Express; Grand Bahama Port Authority and Group of Companies; Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board; FLIFF; Ministry of Tourism and SkyBahamas Airlines.

The film festival will feature: Career Achievement Award presentation to Giancarlo Esposito; Films made in The Bahamas; Underwater cinematography workshop, including a shark dive, by award-winning cinematographer Paul Mockler; Independent Films from around the world; Complimentary outdoor screenings; and Student film competitions. 

For more information go to  FLIFF 2012 on Location: Grand Bahama Island  

or the  Event Page on Facebook .