Despite Hurricane Dorian, the 16th edition of the Bahamas International Film Festival will take place from December 9 to 15. During this major cultural event that attracts Hollywood stars, the BIFF Writers’ Residency will be held from 9 to 11 December, a springboard for screenwriters from around the world.
A few days ago, the Bahamas made the headlines around the world because of the devastating hurricane Dorian, which caused millions of casualties, officially about 50 dead and over 1000 missing. Some people will be surprised that after such a disaster, life can be back again to normal as quickly. First, it should be known that the archipelago of the Bahamas is made up of more than 700 islands and islets – with an extremely flat or undulating relief and covered with bushes (with its 62m high, Mount Alvernia, located on Cat Island, is the highest point) and represents a total area of 13 950 sq km – and they have not all been affected by the phenomenon. Moreover, it should not be forgotten that the strong resilience of Caribbean people.
That’s why the famous Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), the majority of which takes place in the capital, Nassau, located on New Providence Island where 2/3 of the population live, will be celebrated. Created and directed by actress Leslie Vanderpool, BIFF has become a major event for Caribbean and world cinema with, each year, the participation of Hollywood stars such as Sidney Poitier, Sir Sean Connery, Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Danny Glover etc. Over the years, this cultural event has injected millions of dollars (more than 25 million until the 13th edition) into the archipelago’s economy whose main sectors are finance, tourism and fishing.
This 16th edition, which will take place from December 9 to 15, promises to be very rich. But before this great festival of the 7th art, every two weeks from September 24, movie lovers are invited to go to the Current Art Gallery in Baha Mar where, for $12, they will see local, regional and international short and feature films and enjoy a glass of wine surrounded with works by local artists. In addition, they will have the opportunity to win prizes…
This film screening started last Tuesday with “Them That Follow” (2019) by American directors Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage, a thriller with snakes that gives the schudders…
90 writers from around the world since 2005
In addition, as every year, BIFF organizes a writing residency from December 9 to 11, 2019. Since 2005, 90 writers from around the world have already taken part in these sessions to improve their scenarios and advance their careers. Several great names in American cinema are expected to give valuable advice to participants: Producer Roger Corman (Death Race 2000, Scream 3, The Fantastic Four); Producer Suzanne Warren (Last King of Scotland, Hacksaw Ridge); Writer-Producer-Actor Susan Batten (Showing Roots, Love Once and Always); Writer Alessandro Camon (The Messenger); Producer Scott Budnick (The Hangover); Film Producer Sean Covel (Napoleon Dynamite, Beneath, Cafe); Producer-Manager Jib Polhemus (Tomb Raider, The Mechanic, Expendables 2); Producer Vince Gerardis (HBO Games Of Thrones); Nate Kohn Professor (University of Georgia) & Associate Director (The George Foster Peabody Awards)…
Participants have until October 7 to register, the application fee is $125. During the month, 6 lucky scriptwriters – 3 for feature film scripts and 3 for television scripts – will be selected to attend these free mentorship in Nassau. Then, 4 other candidates will be invited to participate in the Residency, registration fees will be $1500 / Contact: leslie@bintlfilmfest.com
The best writers will receive cash prize, an InkTip Script listing to promote themselves and their scripts, to the InkTip’s entire network of producers, managers and agents or a retreat in Borgo Ferri, Italy.
Movies scheduled from September 27 to December 03, 2019
September 24: Them That Follow (feature film, Britt Poulton and Dan Madison Savage, 2019 / Drama & Thriller / 98 mins / USA with Kaitlyn Dever, Walton Goggins and Olivia Colman).
October 8: Landfill Harmonic (feature film, 2015 / Documentary / 1 Hr 24 mins / Paraguay, USA).
October 22: Guava Duff (short film by Anaya and Santia Dean, 2016 / Drama); The Playback (short film by Jonico Pratt); Play The Devil (feature film by Maria Govan with Petrice Jones, Gareth Jenkins).
November 5: Queen (short film by Gabrielle Shepard with Brooklyn Bella, Faune Chambers); Liyana (feature film by Aaron and Amanda Kopp, 2017 / Animation & Documentary / 77 mins / US & Switzerland)
November 19: London Town (feature film by Derrick Borte, 2016 / Drama & Music / 1 Hr 32 mins / United Kingdom with Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Daniel Huttlestone and Natascha McElhone
December 3: Chico Y Rita (feature film, 2010 / Drama & Crime / 1 Hr 34 mins)
