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Bahamas International Film Festival has generated $15-$18M in PR

Tuesday October 25th, 2011

The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) has generated between $15 and $18 million in public relations value for the Bahamas over the past eight years, its executive director said yesterday.

"Over eight years we have accumulated between $15 and $18 million in public relations value," Leslie Vanderpool said. "We have been covered by the likes of Variety, CNN, Entertainment Tonight, and there's actual value that Roger and Cowan and Weber Shandwick has measured [in terms of] how much public relations value we bring to the Bahamas. The film festival has contributed to the tourism product."

Ms Vanderpool said plans for this year's festival, scheduled for December 1-4, are going well. "There are 60 films from 26 countries that are going to be shown this year. Thirty of those films are short films, and the films that are being hosted at Galleria JFK are all free," she added.

"There are 58 films that will be free this year, all except for the opening and closing night films at Atlantis, which are December 1st and December 4th." She added: "We have different films, different film makers coming in. We have a career achievement tributee, new venues and new films."

Ms Vanderpool said that the festival's impact on Bahamian filmmakers has been invaluable. "You can't put a value on it; local film makers like Kareem Mortimer have had their films go around the world," she said.

"This is an invaluable opportunity for Bahamians and the Bahamas. It also provides the youth with career opportunities to see that they can use their talents towards the arts."

The Bahamas International Film Festival is a non-profit organization that provides the Bahamian community and international visitors with a diverse presentation of films from around the world.

Credit:Natario McKenzie / Tribune