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Description of Writers Residency Program: The first few days of the festival BIFF hosts the Screenwriters Residency Program where creative advisors; established producers; directors and writers mentor a select group of screenwriters, in a series of one-on-one and small group meetings scheduled over four full days. The Residency is designed to foster dialog, build lasting connections, and offer opportunities for growth. For 18 years BIFF has created an environment to develop and nurture the next generation of Screenwriters and Filmmakers from around the world.
BIFF aims to connect emerging writers with industry professionals in an intimate setting, allowing writers to receive first hand knowledge as well as establish lasting relationships with field experts. The program consists of four days of intense workshops in a picturesque Bahamian town.
" Since the launch of the BIFF Screenwriters Residency Program in 2005, it is an important component to BIFF and the flourishing filmmaking industry around the world. BIFF has invited leading industry professors such as Ted Hope, Roger Corman and Malcolm Lee to provide guidance to over 90 screenwriters from around the globe. We are proud to have a forum to nurture the next generation of scriptwriters,” said Leslie Vanderpool, Founder & Executive Director (BIFF).
“Bahamas International Film Festival offers a very relaxed setting which lends itself perfectly to getting to know the very talented writers and directors that they showcase. This has enabled source/ management+ production to have great success with helping them achieve their goals. I look forward to meeting the 2017 filmmakers and seeing how we can take them to the next level.” Jib Polhemus-source/ management+production
Writers have been selected for the 2023 BIFF Writers Residency Program in person mentorship taking place May 3- 7, 2023 in Nassau, Bahamas
2023 Participants
Writer Jomo Merritt / United States
Journal of A Dinka Boy, Chronicles the experiences of a young boy in Sudan. Triplets NOAH, SIMON and MATTHEW’S mother dies in childbirth. Superstitious beliefs attribute her death and their birth to the fact that their mother was the daughter of an adulteress.
Writer Arthur Tiersky / United States
I Don't Know, An initially conventional romantic comedy is disrupted by the presence of the screenwriter himself, who seems to be a better match than his leading man for his leading lady.
Writer Samuel Delancy / Bahamas
Brawl Out, A series about a fighter and his rise in the field of combat sports starting from the bottom in the world of professional wrestling.
Writer Mahmoud Salimi / Afghanistan
Roya, In a province in Afghanistan, life goes on much as it has for centuries. While the international newspapers focus on the wars and the opium trade, villagers go about their daily lives -- farming, practicing their religion and raising their children. This is the story (based on actual events) of two families, who are bound by a tragic sense of honor and tradition, which leads to a bloody feud.
Writer Millie West / United States
Mary Jane's Last Dance, A woman, jilted by her husband, returns to her home state where she accepts her dream job with the U.S. Attorney's Office for South Carolina just as they begin an investigation into drug smuggling. Unbeknownst to her, her beloved nephew, is, in fact, an underworld drug kingpin. Her decision to help bring her nephew to justice plunges her family into a crisis of which they may never recover.
Writers Toni D'Antonio, Mitch del Monico / United States
An Unfamiliar Life, When Margie loses the one person that her entire life seemed to be centered around, this tragedy comes with a wake-up call. She takes a hard look at this life that has become something so unfamiliar that she bravely leaves everything behind and ventures into a new world, a new romance, a new life.
Writers Mark Amador, / United States
Symphony Of Madness, When Alan King loses his grip on reality, his mental illness creates a delusional world where minorities become ‘aliens’. Raised on extreme values, reinforced by his rich Oedipal mother, Alan is programmed like a Manchurian candidate. A group of skinheads parallel Alan's story converging in a violent standoff at his college, where madness has become reality.
"At the Bahamas Screenwriting Residency, the writers are the VIPs. Five days of an intimate, welcoming environment, hanging out with industry insiders dedicated to improving your script and advancing your career. It's one of the best things I've ever done as a writer." Winner of 2018 Screenwriters Residency Program, Mr. Kerry Douglas Dye
“BIFF Nurtures not only the creative process but the human spirit. The Mentors invest in each writer with their time, energy and focus. It’s a daring thing that people do called writing. The mentors understand and welcome that with a generosity toward every writer. They spark a supportive dialogue that can help the story sing.” said Susan Batten, Mentor
" Since the launch of the BIFF Screenwriters Residency Program in 2005, it is an important component to BIFF and the flourishing filmmaking industry around the world. BIFF has invited leading industry professors such as Ted Hope, Scott Budnick and Malcolm Lee to provide guidance to over 90 screenwriters from around the globe. We are proud to have a forum to nurture the next generation of scriptwriters,” said Leslie Vanderpool, Founder & Executive Director (BIFF). www.bintlfilmfest.com
Previous residency advisors and mentors included:
Roger Corman | Producer (Death Race 2000,Scream 3, The Fantastic Four)
Suzanne Warren | Producer (Last King of Scotland, Hacksaw Ridge)
Vince Gerardis | Producer (HBO Games Of Thrones)
Susan Batten | Writer-Producer-Actor (Showing Roots, Love Once and Always)
Alessandro Camon | Writer (The Messenger)
Scott Budnick | Producer (The Hangover)
Sean Covel | Film Producer (Napoleon Dynamite, Beneath, Cafe)
Jib Polhemus | Producer-Manager (Tomb Raider, The Mechanic, Expendables 2)
Nate Kohn: (The University of Georgia), (The George Foster Peabody Awards)