The Bahamas Film Festival (TBFF), aimed at providing a venue for Bahamian filmmakers to express their creativity and share the stories that affect their individual lives and those of their fellow Bahamians, is fast approaching. The third annual festival is slated for August 9 to 12, with a lineup of exciting features geared towards helping filmmakers improve their talent.
Opening ceremonies will be held August 9, at Galleria Cinema, John F Kennedy Drive, after which the movie “Survivor” will be premiered. Founder of the Bahamas Filmmakers Society and president of the Film Festival Celi Moss explained at a recent press conference the thrust of his newest project.
Adversity
As the name suggests. “Survivor” is a film about overcoming adversity. Here, a young man falls in love with a breast cancer survivor, but on the night he was to make love to her, he discovers that she has had a double mastectomy.
It is not a film that sensationalizes the issue of breast cancer, nor perpetuates ideas that such matters – having no breasts – is somehow comical. Instead, it delves into the myriad of other issues that come along with breast cancer, the fears, the insecurities that exist.
Terry Fountain, president of the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, was in attendance at the press conference and spoke of his support of the film, and why it was important that Mr Moss chose the topic.
According to Vanessa Small, public relations manager for the festival, though Mr Moss does, not know of anyone who has been touched with breast cancer, he decided to highlight this topic since it has relevance in Bahamian society.
This year’s festival will also feature a three-day filmmakers workshop, dubbed, “From Low Budget to No Budget” to be hosted by Bahamian producer Phillip Burrows. Ms Small noted that the workshop will give persons with the desire to make a movie the knowledge they need to do so. “Mr Burrows also highlighted the fact that there are many talented Bahamians who know what they want as it pertains to movie making but just do not know how to go about doing it,” she added.
One of the highlights of this year’s festival will be a visit by legendary African American filmmaker Jeff Friday.
Black
As president of the American Black Film Festival, and president of the Black Movie Awards, Mr Friday stands as a role model in filmmaking, having created opportunities for African Americans to highlight and celebrate their work.
Mr Friday will be treated to a downhome Junkanoo rush-out and VIP reception n Friday, August 11. He will. also receive the Minister of Culture’s Filmmakers Award at a gala awards presentation banquet to be held on Saturday, August 12, under the patronage of Bernadette Christie, Ms Small noted.
Mr Fountain’s appearance, Ms Small believes, is significant in that Bahamians who love film can become acquainted with a man who works `behind the scene’ in a sense. “A lot of Bahamians know the celebrity movie stars but the festival is bringing in Jeff Fountain who has made significant contributions to film.”
For a bit of comedic relief, comedian Don DC Curry will also be on hand during the festival. He will headline two back-to-back comedy show nights, where other American comedians Dexter Angry and Trey Luv, will perform. Bahamian comedian Vivica “Mega B” Watkins will serve as host for the show. The comedy show will take place on Thursday, August 10 at the National Centre for the Performing Arts, with an after party to be held at the Sky Box, Mall at Marathon.
The film festival committee also revealed that the entire festival will be dedicated to the memory of Kayla Lockhart-Edwards, whose husband Desmond Edwards will receive, on her behalf, a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tickets for TBFF events can be purchased at the Corner Hotel, – Carmichael Road, Juke Box, Mall at Marathon, Seafood Haven, Arawak Cay, INVU Clothing Boutique, Shirley Street in the Standard Plumbing Plaza, Anastacia’s Accessories, East Street South and First Class Beauty Supplies, East Street South or call 525-5787 for ticket deliveries.
For more information on filmmaking inThe Bahamas, visit the Bahamas Film Society website.
By PETURA BURROWS Tribune Feature Writer
