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NASSAU, BAHAMAS (September 30, 2014) – RBC Royal Bank has signed up to sponsor the 2014 Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), which this year is scheduled to take place from December 4 – 14 in venues throughout The Bahamas.
“Our sponsorship of the Festival over the years is a testament to RBC’s belief in the power of the arts to enrich our lives and enhance our communities”, said Nathaniel Beneby, Jr., Managing Director, RBC in The Bahamas, Cayman and Turks & Caicos Islands. “We would like to congratulate BIFF’s staff and volunteers on its 11thAnniversary. RBC is proud to once again partner with BIFF to raise awareness of our beautiful country and showcase our local talent.”
In support of RBC’s goal to support the arts and their commitment to youth development in The Bahamas, the focus of RBC’s sponsorship this year is on the Bahamas International Film Festival Youth Film Workshop (YFW). Since inception BIFF has exposed young persons throughout The Bahamas to the art of filmmaking. This year a total of sixty-five students from schools in New Providence, Exuma, Harbour Island and Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera will participate in the program. “We are pleased to once again partner with BIFF to build the expertise of emerging film makers through film workshops with, and exposure to, some of the global film industry’s most celebrated professionals”, added Mr. Beneby. A Stone's Throw Away is a co-sponsor of The 2014 Youth Film Workshop providing accommodation for the Youth Film Workshop filmmaker. “We at a Stones Throw Away are proudly supporting BIFF and we are welcoming the opportunity to showcase our beautiful country Bahamas to many international visitors”, says Mr. Chris Illing General Manager of A Stones Throw Away.
The abilities that visual arts education develops are crucial to youth development. Research shows that the preponderance of images in young people’s lives has transformed the way they learn and perceive the world. Globally there is a need to strengthen visual arts education and to integrate the arts into other areas of learning to ensure that all young people become knowledgeable and skillful in the visual age. YFW students learn about the history and art of filmmaking and gain hands on experience in scriptwriting, casting, shooting and film editing. The Bahamas International Film Festival Youth Film Workshop will take place September 29thto October 3rd, 2014. Participating schools include William’s Town Primary (Exuma), Emma Cooper Primary (Governor’s Harbour), Harbour Island All Ages (Eleuthera), C.R. Walker Secondary (Nassau) and H.O. Nash Junior High School (Nassau). Films produced at YFW will be shown at the 2014 BIFF, December 4 – 14, 2014
“The Bahamas International Film Festival Youth Film Workshop is a favorite program of mine, as it provides hands on experience in making a film, YFW teaches the benefits of collaboration and teamwork and allows children to realize their innate abilities and exercise their imaginations”, said Leslie Vanderpool, founder and executive director of BIFF. She explained: - “The rewards of teaching 600 students since this outreach program started in schools around The Bahamas are immeasurable. Testimonies of students now in colleges pursuing theatre arts, media and filmmaking as a result of this introductory exposure speaks to the importance and value of this program. This is the beauty of bringing Hollywood to The Bahamas and conducting invaluable programs that the Bahamas International Film Festival offers throughout the year.”
About RBC in the Caribbean
With more than 100 years of heritage serving the region, RBC operates under the banner of RBC and RBTT with a presence in 20 countries, 122 combined branches and close to 6,600 employees serving more than one million clients. As one of the Caribbean’s leading diversified financial services companies, RBC provides personal and commercial banking, wealth management, corporate and investment banking, insurance and trust and asset management services to a wide range of clients, including individuals, small businesses, general commercial entities, regional and multi-national corporations and governments. For more information, please visit rbc.com/caribbean
About RBC
Royal Bank of Canada (RY on TSX and NYSE) and its subsidiaries operate under the master brand name RBC. We are Canada’s largest bank as measured by assets and market capitalization, and are among the largest banks in the world, based on market capitalization. We are one of North America’s leading diversified financial services companies, and provide personal and commercial banking, wealth management services, insurance, corporate and investment banking and investor services on a global basis. We employ approximately 80,000 full- and part-time employees who serve more than 15 million personal, business, public sector and institutional clients through offices in Canada, the U.S. and 51 other countries. For more information, please visit rbc.com
Media Contact:
Deborah Zonicle,
Manager, Products & Channels
RBC Royal Bank, Bahamas, Cayman and Turks & Caicos Islands
Tel: 242-356-8500