New filmmaker Nathaniel Lewis (left) with Bahamas Film Commissioner Craig Woods at the FLIFF on Location: Grand Bahama Island awards ceremony. Photo: The Bahamas Weekly

The Freeport News:Nathaniel Prince Lewis, one of Grand Bahama's budding filmmakers, now has bragging rights for the best overall Bahamian short film in the prestigious Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) on-Location hosted here over the weekend.

Politicking In Paradise, which is just under 30 minutes, was among 12 films made in Grand Bahama and New Providence that were submitted for viewing.

The all–day viewing session took place on Saturday at the Canal House, Pelican Bay Resort and the winner was announced yesterday at the award ceremony at the Churchill Restaurant, Grand Lucayan.

Lewis, who was the executive producer and one of seven actors in the short film, said while he had high expectations, he also tried to remain grounded in the event the film did not win.

But, hearing his name, he admits, still came as a surprise and the entire experience was humbling.

"I was shocked. I felt really good about the film," the young filmmaker, who was still reeling from the win, told The Freeport News not long afterwards.

"I had done an interview just the day before and I said regardless of whether we win, lose, or what have you, I'm just honored for the fact that we were able to even screen at this amazing festival and that the film actually got in, it got rated and it actually got in there."

The short film portrays a young liberal guy, played by Lewis, on a liberal–progressive platform, who is radical and non–politically affiliated, hoping to change the way Bay Street works and wakes up on the eve of the election with a dead prostitute and a bag of weed in his bed.

Lewis shared the moment with Director Devron Pinder and lead actress Chelsea Blues, who also attended the ceremony.

The other five actors in the film are Luckner Timothee, Ana–Alicia Carroll, Alfred Lewis, LaVaughn Hamilton and Latoya Dean.

The prize for the best overall Bahamian short film – $500.

But Lewis readily admits having the title alone was a great impetus.

"We had gotten some great reviews and definitely a lot of momentum," he said. "We had a very large crowd for the actual screening of the film on Saturday and we had a lot of persons come up to us and tell us 'you tackled two very difficult subjects – politics and religion – and you totally did an excellent job."

Lewis added that there was a rush of elation and they received great advice and appreciation from veterans in the industry as well as those who were new to the industry.

The next step is to raise funds to produce the feature length version of Politicking In Paradise, he said, adding that they have set their sights on a budget between $250,000 and $2.5 million.

Lewis adds that it is doable and have attended several workshops to steer them in that direction to be able to produce a Hollywood, quality production.

But for now, Lewis is relishing in his accomplishment and deems it a late, yet great birthday present and said, it represents a metamorphosis of his life.

"Last week I turned 22 and this week I get to see what I have done with my life," he said. "Yesterday, I was able to sit back and watch my story be told on a grand stage.

"It is like you have accomplished something that is so meaningful that can be appreciated by the masses. We do get the bragging rights to say our film has won the best overall Bahamian short film from the Blue Ribbon Panel for the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival on-Location at Grand Bahama Island."

Sponsors for FLIFF On-Location include Bahamas Celebration, TheBahamasWeekly. com, the City of Freeport Council, Port Lucaya Marketplace and Port Lucaya Marina, The Grand Lucayan Bahamas Beach and Golf Resort, Pelican Bay Resort and Sky Bahamas Airlines.

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