Freeport, The Bahamas - The committee for the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival (FLIFF) on Grand Bahama announces the first GRAND BAHAMA YOUTH FILM COMPETITION for Grand Bahamians between the ages of 14 and 18 years old. Entries will be accepted beginning May 1^st through August 1^st, 2011.  

FLIFF on Grand Bahama will take place from October 26^th through October 30^th. It will be the very first time an international film festival has come to Grand Bahama and the Committee is using this opportunity to open this exciting event to Grand Bahama’s young people. The festival will take place at the Pelican Bay Hotel’s new conference center, The Canal House, which will be turned into a multi-theatre complex for the event. The new facilities and convenience of being adjacent to Port Lucaya Square makes it an excellent choice.

The committee has created an original video invitation, with well-known personalities Jenelle Hollingsworth, Tomacina Culmer, Tempestt Stubbs, Rico Thompson, Jackie Dack and Lyndah Wells.  

So…Who are we looking for?  We are calling all 14 to 18 year olds who live in Grand Bahama and are cool, dynamic and creative - with fresh, authentic ideas.  

What are we asking? We’re asking our young Grand Bahamians to make an original film, lasting 5 minutes or less…and the topic? Why, “A CONVERSATION IN GRAND BAHAMA”, of course!  

“A CONVERSATION IN GRAND BAHAMA” can be anything! It can be a normal conversation between people just talking, or it can be a topic from wherever your mind takes you. You can use animation, comedy and fantasy. It can be a musical, science-fiction or a reality script. In fact, “A CONVERSATION IN GRAND BAHAMA” should be a reflection of unbridled, youthful imagination. In other words, anything goes.  

What equipment will be needed? Well, that’s easy… A cell phone, a pocket video camera - or in fact, any video camera. But most important is to work with your own original, innovative and creative ideas!  

The deadline for entries will be August 1^st, 2011. One winner will be selected along with four runner-ups.  

Our winner will win the following prizes: 1. A featured screening of his/her film at the FLIFF on Grand Bahama International Film Festival in October, 2011 on Grand Bahama as well as in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Travel and accommodation will be included for the winner and parent/guardian to Fort Lauderdale as part of the prize. 2. An opportunity to personally meet the Directors of the Ft. Lauderdale International Film Festival (FLIFF) and visiting filmmakers.

3. Participation in a filmmakers’ workshop on Grand Bahama during the film festival. 4. A GOPRO Hero HD Camera…and 5. A CASH PRIZE OF $500.00.  

Our four runner-ups will each win a KODAK Zi8 pocket video camera.  

To find more information: Check out our pages on Facebook, Youtube and Vimeo. Simply search for GRAND BAHAMA YOUTH FILM COMPETITION….or click on this link, http://youtu.be/TjXiK9J7fBk to see our invitation to join us in making “A CONVERSATION IN GRAND BAHAMA”.