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Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival Last Updated: Feb 9, 2010 - 4:27:43 AM
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Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
(VIDEO) Lenny Kravitz at Bahamas' premiere of "Precious" at Film Festival - Jan 20, 2010 - 9:03:35 PM

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Nassau, Bahamas - The 2009 Bahamas International Film Festival opened with the Bahamian film "Children of God" on December 11th and closed with the award winning film, Precious, which was also a premiere screening for The Bahamas on December 17th.

The Bahamas Weekly brings you video coverage and interviews on the red carpet with a star of the film, Bahamas' own Lenny Kravitz; the Precious screenplay writer, Geoffrey Fletcher;
Jason Guerrasio, Managing Editor of Filmmaker Magazine; and the Founder and Executive Director of BIFF, Leslie Vanderpool.

Kravitz, who had his acting debut in Precious came in from the Bahamas' island of Eleuthera where he has a home and is presently working on his next album, Negrophilia....
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
(VIDEO) Johnny Depp and Sir Sean Connery interviews at Bahamas Film Festival - Dec 20, 2009 - 9:15:40 PM
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Nassau, Bahamas - American actor, known to be 'the sexiest man alive' received a career tribute award at the 6th annual Bahamas International Film Festival on December 13th at the Balmoral Club in Nassau. The event was sponsored by Swiss private bankers, Lombard Odier Darier Henstch and The Balmoral .

The Bahamas Weekly News Team, media sponsors of the event, were on hand for the red carpet arrival and are pleased to present this VIDEO coverage containing an interview with Mr. Depp, along with comments from Sir Sean Connery, a patron of the Festival who also lives in The Bahamas and presented the award to Depp.  You will hear from founder and executive director of the festival, Leslie Vanderpool, as well as view scenes from the tribute for Depp.
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
(PHOTOS) BIFF closes with Precious and Kravitz and top awards - Dec 19, 2009 - 1:14:25 AM
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Nassau, Bahamas - After a stellar week of events, tributes, panels, and over 60 films from 20 countries, The Bahamas Film Festival came to a close last night with a screening of the Golden Globe nominated film, Precious directed by Lee Daniels.

Film buffs took part in a red carpet arrival at Galleria Cinemas, a screening, and a Question and Answer session with moderator, Jason Guerrasio of Filmmaker Magazine, Lenny Kravitz and Geoffrey Fletcher.

Lee Daniels, a supporter of BIFF was expected to attend, but was unable due to his recent demanding schedule with all the positive attention the film is getting; and so screenwriter, Geoffrey Fletcher flew in from New York to represent the film. ..
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
(PHOTOS) Johnny Depp accepts Career Achievement Award at the Bahamas International Film Festival - Dec 19, 2009 - 12:36:01 AM

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Nassau, Bahamas - American actor, Johnny Depp graciously and humbly received a career achievement award last night during a tribute held in his honour at the 6th annual Bahamas International Film Festival.

The actor, director and musician arrived at The Balmoral Club in a pin-striped suit to be first greeted by Festival founder Leslie Vanderpool, and then fielded questions from the press before attending a private reception in the historic mansion where he met Sir Sean Connery for the first time.

When asked how he felt about receiving the award he said he was "a little stupefied by the notion" of winning awards...
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
(PHOTOS) Bahamian Gavin McKinney receives Tribute at BIFF - Dec 18, 2009 - 11:27:39 AM
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Nassau, Bahamas - The 2009 Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) presented the esteemed Bahamian underwater Director of Photographer Gavin Mckinney with their first Bahamian Tribute Award at this year’s Festival on December 15th at the College of the Bahamas performing arts theatre. Friends and family and visiting filmmakers came out to support McKinney on the special occasion.

 

‘We are so honored to recognize one of our very own Bahamian industry professionals who is making a name for himself all around the globe within the film world,' said Leslie Vanderpool, Executive Director and Founder BIFF who is also a personal friend of McKinney and his family.


Presenting the award was Mrs. Robin Symonette, wife of the Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister .  It  was Mrs. Symonette who helped influence Vanderpool to award McKinney with the tribute...

Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
(TRAILER) "Precious" to close Bahamas International Film Festival - Dec 17, 2009 - 7:15:30 PM

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Nassau, Bahamas  –  Prescious directed by Lee Daniels is set to close 2009 Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) which takes place from December 10th through 17th.

Winner of three awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, including the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic Competition, Lee Daniels’s Prescious: Based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome.

This touching drama will screen on Thursday, December 17th at Galleria Cinemas.

View the film's trailer within...
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
(PHOTOS) Oscar Nominee Sophie Okonedo Receives Rising Star Award at BIFF - Dec 17, 2009 - 3:20:02 PM
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Nassau, Bahamas - English actor Sophie Okonedo, best known for her Oscar nominee best supporting actress performance for her role as Tatiana, the hotel manager's wife in Hotel Rwanda arrived in The Bahamas yesterday and attended a tribute held in her honour during the Bahamas International Film Festival.

The tribute was held at the Balmoral Club and Okonedo received a  Rising Star award presented to her by Charley Walters.

A montage of her roles were shown to the audience.  The film "Skin" is one of the films running in the Bahamas International Film Festival.
A Question and Answer session took place afterward hosted by actor, writer and journalist, Elliot Kotek...
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
BIFF to award Academy Award Nominee Sophie Okonedo as its 2009 Rising Star Honouree - December 16th - Dec 16, 2009 - 9:55:13 PM
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Nassau, Bahamas November 12, 2009 The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) announced that Academy Award nominee Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda, Skin) will be honored with BIFFs 2009 Rising Star Tribute. The announcement was made by BIFF Founder & Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool. The award will be presented on December 16th, and tickets can be purchased to attend. The event takes place at the Balmoral. 

The Festivals prestigious Rising Star Award is given to an actor or actress whose noteworthy performances have put them on the path for elite and lasting stardom in the industry. Sophie Okonedo will be on hand for the special award tribute presentation on Wednesday, December 16th at the Balmoral Club in Nassau, Bahamas.

Commented Vanderpool, "Having Sophie Okonedo as the 2009 BIFF Rising Star honoree could not be any more perfect. She is one of the most talented and gracious actresses on screen today...
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
Local Bahamian Filmmakers Win Cash Prizes at BIFF - Dec 16, 2009 - 3:21:49 PM
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Nassau, Bahamas – Winners of the Bahamas International Film Festival’s Filmmaker Residency Program were announced at the Balmoral Club in Nassau following the Festival’s tribute to Johnny Depp and the BIFF film awards presentation on December 13th. The announcements were made by Festival Founder and Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool and esteemed Filmmaker Residency advisors Kelly Moore, Steven Beer, Nathaniel Kohn, George Heller and Marisa Polvino.

BIFF’s Filmmaker Residency Program will award a total of $10,000 to local Bahamian filmmakers Vashti Anderson, Miguel Drayton and Ithalia Johnson. Vashti Anderson’s screenplay and film project is titled “Cold Calypso” and she will receive $5,000 for its development and production. Michael Drayton will receive $3,000 for his film “Granny Vs The Undead,” while Ithalia Johnson was awarded $2,000 for her screenplay “Play Me a Life...”
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
Gavin McKinney to receive Bahamian Tribute Award at BIFF - Dec 15, 2009 - 6:24:00 PM
Nassau, Bahamas - The 2009 Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) is pleased to announce that the esteemed Director of Photographer Gavin Mckinney will be honored with the first Bahamian Tribute Award at this year’s Festival, taking place at College of the Bahamas on December 15th at 7pm.  The announcement was made by BIFF Founder and Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool.

Commented Vanderpool, ‘ We are so honored to recognize one of our very own Bahamian industry professionals who is making a name for himself all around the Globe within the film world...’
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
BIFF Names 2009 Festival Award Winners - Dec 14, 2009 - 1:03:03 PM

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La Soga” “Morenita” “Traces of the Trade” and “Gaining Ground” Take Home Top Prizes

Nassau, Bahamas – Competition winners were announced on the evening of December 13th at the awards ceremony for the 6th Bahamas International Film Festival, held at the Balmoral Club in Nassau. The announcements were made by Festival Founder and Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool and BIFF jurors following a special career achievement event honoring Johnny Depp.

The Festival showcased 86 films from 26 different countries, including 38 features of which several are world or international premieres and nearly all Bahamian premieres. The four competition categories at BIFF are Spirit of Freedom: Narrative; Spirit of Freedom: Documentary; New Vision; and Short Film.

Enclosed is the official winners list...

Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
(PHOTOS) 'Children of God' opens Bahamas International Film Festival - Dec 13, 2009 - 7:29:02 PM
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Paradise Island, Bahamas -- The Bahamas International Film Festival got underway last night with a world premiere screening of "Children of God" a film by Bahamian Kareem Mortimer.  The film stars Van Brown, Johnny Ferro, Mark Ford, Margaret Kemp, Stephen Tyrone Williams and a plethora of Bahamian cast.

The screening took place at the Atlantis Theater to a full audience.
Residents of Nassau can see the film over the next week - check the BIFF schedule.

Founder and Executive Directory of BIFF, Leslie Vanderpool opened the Festival and welcomed the visiting film makers saying Film Festival are all about 'dreams'.  Giving remarks at the opening screening was the Deputy Prime Minister of The Bahamas, the Hon. Brent Symonette; Director General of Ministry of Tourism, Vernice Walkine; and a representative from Atlantis.
  The audience was treated to a pre-recorded message by Bahamian actor Sir Sidney Poitier...
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
Sammy T rocks BIFF patrons at La Hipica - Dec 13, 2009 - 1:08:21 PM
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Nassau, Bahamas - The Bahamas International Film Festival showcased two of their films in an out of the ordinary way on December 12th.  Both Morenita (Mexico) and A Zona (Portugal) were screened on a large lawn area out at La Hipica next to Good Fellows Farms.

After the screening Sammy T from the UK took to the stage and put on a lively and interesting performance with a mix of sounds ranging from punk rock to similarities of the Rolling Stones. Sammy writes all his own songs and said his influence is pop culture.

Attendees danced on the lawn for hours and the band played well past their appointed time, aiming to please the audience and enjoy their guest gig in The Bahamas...
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
Johnny Depp to receive Bahamas International Film Festival Career Achievement Award - December 13th - Dec 12, 2009 - 4:42:53 PM
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Nassau, Bahamas – December   2, 2009 – The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) announced today that three-time Academy Award® nominee Johnny Depp will be honored with the prestigious Career Achievement Award at this year’s Film Festival, taking place December 10-17 in Nassau. The announcement was made by BIFF Founder and Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool.

Depp will be on hand for the special tribute and presentation at the Balmoral Club in Nassau. Legendary leading man Sir Sean Connery will again be lending his full support at BIFF, serving as Festival Patron and presenting Depp with the Career Achievement Award.

“There is no actor better suited to receive BIFF’s highest honor, the Career Achievement Award,” said Leslie Vanderpool. “Johnny Depp is one of the finest actors of our generation and is, simply put, an icon...
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
Movie Makers are in The Bahamas for International Film Festival - Dec 12, 2009 - 1:41:32 PM
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NASSAU, The Bahamas -- Digital music and entertainment executive and member of the Bahamas International Film Festival's (BIFF) Spirit of Freedom Narrative Jury Ms. Jamie Kantrowitz speaks at a press conference, on December 11, 2009, at Old Fort Bay.  She is most recently known for her groundbreaking work at Myspace Music. 

The Festival will run December 10-17, 2009. 

(Photo: Eric Rose)
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
Bahamian entertainer, Ithalia Johnson to perform at 2009 BIFF Opening Night Reception - December 11th - Dec 10, 2009 - 5:22:40 PM

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Nassau, New Providence - The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) is gearing up for its 6th year of 'Cinema in Paradise'.  This year's festival will take place from December 10th to 17th.

The BIFF Opening Night Gala Reception takes place on Friday, December 11th from 10pm to Midnight at the
Royal Towers Great Hall of Water at Atlantis Resort and Casino. Entertainment wil be provided by Ithalia Johnson.

Ithalia was born in Nassau Bahamas over the hill, on Blue Hill Road. She wrote herself into several production deals, including one with Eric Foster White (Hi-Five, Whitney Houston) and Lost Highway Records (Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams)...


Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
(TRAILER) Children of God to open the Bahamas International Film Festival, December 11th - Dec 9, 2009 - 4:23:56 PM

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Nassau, Bahamas  – Children of God  directed by Bahamian, Kareem Mortimer to open 2009 Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF).

The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) announced today that Kareem Mortimer’s acclaimed indie drama “CHILDREN OF GOD” will be the opening film at this year’s festival, which takes place December 10-17 in Nassau. The intimate drama is slated to screen in Nassau on Friday, December 11th .

View the film's trailer within...

Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
BIFF 2009 Tickets are NOW ON SALE! - Dec 9, 2009 - 7:40:03 AM
Nassau, Bahamas  - The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) has a wonderful line-up of special events that will take place throughout Nassau during this year’s festival. BIFF welcomes and encourages all local Bahamians to come out and experience these one-of-a-kind events taking place December 10th-17th.

There is something new to be found every day! Film screenings, award ceremonies, tributes, workshops for kids and adults, filmmaker receptions, and galas.

Tickets are on sale and more information on ticketing is within...
Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
BIFF presents Panel Discussions at the NAGB open to all - Dec 8, 2009 - 11:22:17 AM

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Nassau, Bahamas - The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) gets underway on December 10th running until the 17th.

BIFF is pleased to present Panel Discussions on Saturday and Sunday, December 12 - 13th covering such topics as Art of Collaboration; Film Financing; Film making in the Caribbean; Screenwriting; and Music & Film.

All Panel Discussions are to take place at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas and all discussions are open to the public and are only $10...

Entertainment : Bahamas International Film Festival
BIFF Youth Film Workshop - December 12 & 13 - Dec 8, 2009 - 6:47:39 AM

Nassau, Bahamas  – In an effort to educate and inspire a new generation of filmmakers, The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) announce  that it will be once again offering their BIFF Youth Film Workshop.

Kids learn how to make Movies in Paradise...

The workshops are at the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB) on Saturday, December 12th, and Sunday, December 13th, 2009 from 10am to 5pm.

Parents, register your child for only $50. Ages 9 to 18 years. For more information call 356-5939 or email our Festival Assistant at
festassist@bintlfilmfest.com
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