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Cinema in Paradise

Nassau, Bahamas (December 12, 2005) – The Second Annual Bahamas

International Film Festival (BIFF) closed on Sunday, December 11th, 2005 after

completing its second year on Paradise Island. BIFF showcased sixty-nine films

and hosted thirty filmmakers and industry executives from all over the world.

During the four day festival, guests enjoyed screenings, educational panels,

fantastic receptions and events at various local landmarks in Nassau and

Paradise Island.

BIFF truly represented filmmakers from all of the world with screenings ranging

from Michael Caton-Jones’ ‘Shooting Dogs’ of the UK to Ricardo Bocao’s ‘Fabio

Fabuloso’ of Brazil. The audience embraced local films such as ’Chu Chu Meets

Marvellous’ ‘The Making of an Art Gallery’ and the short film Gustavius Smith’s

‘Crude’.

The festival ended on Sunday evening with the Awards Ceremony, which was

followed by the Closing Night Gala Film ‘The Matador’. The evening closed with

a bang with a tree-lit after party on the Royal Deck of the Atlantis Paradise Island

Resort.

Filmmakers arrived a day early for relaxing retreat at the exclusive and

breathtaking Albany House and Stone’s Throw Hotel before moving to the BIFF

headquarters at the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. The festival launched with a

VIP reception sponsored by Versace at the memorable Cloisters of the Ocean

Club followed by the Caribbean premier Gala, Jim Jarmusch’s ‘Broken Flowers’.

The evening closed with a Dessert Reception at Atlantis’ Lagoon Bar. The

panels took place at both the Atlantis Paradise Island Resort and Ardastra

Gardens, Conservation & Zoo where topics ranged from the Art of Collaboration,

Film Financing, Music & Film to Producing in the Caribbean. The participants

included Law and Order Criminal Intent’s producer Fred Berner, Million Dollar

Baby’s Anthony Mackie, legendary producer Ben Barenholtz, Duopoly’s Liz

Manne, actor Dorian Missick, SonyBMG’s Sofia Sondervan and Palm Pictures’

Barry Cole.

The Bahamas International Film Festival is pleased to announce the results of

this year’s competition.

The Spirit of Freedom category, presented by Versace, will honor one narrative

and one documentary whose subject matters touch upon the filmmakers’

personal convictions and journey into the human spirit with ties to themes such

as religion, politics and the freedom of expression. The Jury Prize for Spirit of

Freedom Dramatic competition was awarded to ‘ZoZo’ of Sweden/UK/Denmark,

written and Directed by Josef Fares. Actor Anthony Mackie, Duopoly’s Liz Manne

and writer Harlan Jacobson, comprised the Spirit of Freedom Dramatic Jury.

The Spirit of Freedom Documentary jury prize was awarded to ‘La Sierra’ of

USA/Colombia directed by Scott Dalton and Margarita Martinez. Co-founder of

Film Finders, Sydney Levine, the Curator of the Department of Film and Media at

The Museum of Modern Art’s Jyette Jensen and Greenberg Trauig’s Steven Beer

comprised the Spirit of Freedom Documentary jury.

The New Visions Awards jury prize was awarded to Antibodies of Germany

directed by Christian Alvart. Co-founder of Film Finders’ Peter Belsito,

Director/Producer Lee Daniels, Torchlight Pictures’ Sharlene Sullivan

Director and Founder of BIFF Leslie Vanderpool said "The Bahamas

International Film Festival is dedicated to the spirit of freedom and emerging

artists, I am so please by the jury’s selection this year. The films epitomize the

mission of the festival and each story represent opposite sides of the globe

expressing tremendous diversity.”

Next year’s festival will certainly result from the momentum built.