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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.