Leslie Vanderpool, the founder and executive director of BIFF, screened hundreds of films from all over the world and is putting together the slate of films.
Many of these films fulfill the competition categories of Spirit of Freedom and New Visions, which carry with them a cash prize.
The Spirit of Freedom category, which is presented by Versace, will honour one narrative and one documentary whose subject matter touches upon the filmmakers personal convictions and journey into the human spirit with ties to themes such as religion, politics and the freedom of expression.
The New Visions category, which is presented by the Hard Rock Cafe, will focus on emerging artists who have completed no more than two films, both of which must be narrative.
Spirit Of Freedom Category
Buenos Aires 1977
[Cronica De Una Fuga] (2006) – Argentina
Directed by: Israel Adrian Caetano.
Starring: Rodrigo De la Serna, Pablo Echarri, Nazareno Casero.
The goalkeeper of a little-known soccer team is kidnapped by a Argentinean government squad and sent to a detention centre. After months of torture, he plots his escape with three other young men.
The Hip Hop Project
(2006) – US/Bahamas
Directed by: Scott Rosenberg and Matt Ruskin.
Starring: Chris ‘Kazi’ Rolle, Doug E Fresh, Russell Simmons, Diana Princess I Lemon, Christopher ‘Cannon’ Mapp, Bruce Willis.
The Hip Hop Project is the dynamic and inspirational story , of a group of New York City teenagers who transform their life stories into powerful works of art, using hip hop as a vehicle for self-development and personal discovery. The film traces the evolution of this award-winning outreach programme, developed by Chris ‘Kazi’, Rolle, a formerly homeless teenager from the Bahamas, turned youth mentor.
Freedom’s Fury
(2005) US/Hungary/Russia
Directed by: Colin Gray and Megan Raney.
Starring: Viktor Ageyev, Antal Bolvari, Janos Buk, Sandor Csoori, James Green, Dezso Gyarmat.
A documentary on the 1956 Olympic semifinal water polo match between Hungary and Russia. Held in Australia, the match occurred as Russian forces were in Budapest, stomping out a popular revolt.
Jesus Camp
(2006) US
Directed by: Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady.
Starring: Mike Papantonio.
The youngest foot soldiers for the Lord are shown in their native environment in this documentary. Becky Fisher is a children’s pastor who runs “Kids on Fire,” a summer camp for evangelical Christian children in North Dakota.
Gitmo – The New Rules
(2005) Sweden
Directed by: Erik Gandini and Tarik Saleh.
Concerned about the treatment of Mehdi, a Swedish citizen held at the US Army base, the directors travel to the pseudo-paradise of Guantanamo Bay to find out what’s really going on there. They are met by enthusiastic media guides, who show them around the base, but refuse to let cameras inside the camps.
Encounter Point
(2006) Israel/Palestine
Directed by Ronit Avni and Julia Bacha.
Starring: Ali Abu Awwad, Sami A1 Jundi, Robii Damelin, Shlomo Zagman.
This film moves beyond sensational and canned images to tell the story of an Israeli settler, a Palestinian ex-prisoner, a bereaved Israeli mother and a wounded Palestinian bereaved brother who sacrifice their safety, public standing and homes in order to press for a grassroots movement for nonviolence and peace.
New Visions Award
For first and second time directors
Premium
(2006) US
Directed by: Pete Chatmon.
Starring: Zoe Saldana, Dorian Missick, Hill Harper.
Reginald “Cool” Coolidge is a struggling actor, fed up with taking stereotypical African American roles and waiting for his big break in a legitimate production. Until this time comes, he works at his mother’s boyfriend’s gas station to repay him for covering his college tuition. One day at the station, his ex-fiancee – and one true love – reappears at the pumps after three years of silence.
Candy
(2006) Australia
Directed by: Neil Armfield.
Starring: Heath Ledger, Abbie Cornish, Paul Blackwell, Torn Budge.
A poet (Ledger) falls in love with an art student (Cornish) who gravitates to his Bohemian lifestyle – and his love of heroin. Hooked as much on one another, as they are on this drug, their relationship alternates between states of oblivion, self-destruction, and despair.
Cashback
(2006) UK
Directed by: Sean Ellis
Starring: Emilia Fox, Sean Biggerstaff, Michelle Ryan, Marc Pickering, Shaun Evans.
After a painful breakup, Ben develops insomnia. To kill time, he starts working the late night shift at the local supermarket, where his artistic imagination runs wild.
Panorama World Cinema Category
Half Nelson
(2006) USA
Directed by: Ryan Fleck.
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie, Stephanie Bast.
An inner-city junior high schoolteacher with a drug habit forms an unlikely friendship with one of his students after she discovers his secret.
Loverboy
(2005) USA
Directed by: Kevin Bacon.
Starring: Kyra Sedgwick, Dominic Scott Kay, Kevin Bacon, Matt Dillion, Marisa Tomei.
A neglected daughter becomes a possessive mother in an emotional journey into the heart and mind of a woman who loved too much.
East Meets West Category
Return to Rajapur
(2005) India
Directed by: Nanda Anand.
Starring: Manoj Bajpai, Lyny Collins, Kelli Garner, Bhanu Goswami, Rta Joshi.
There is an 11th century town in the middle of the Thar desert where sand ripples like waves from the ocean and a sandstone fortress gleams like gold. Two women’s lives are changed forever when they set out for adventure and discover this enchanted land, Rajapur, and an enchanting man, Jai Singh.
Family Series
Lassie
(2005) UK
Directed by: Charles Sturridge.
Starring: Robert Carr, Peter Dinklage, Ken Drury, Gregor Fisher.
A family in financial crisis is forced to sell Lassie, their beloved dog. Hundreds of miles away from her true family, Lassie escapes and sets out on a journey home.
Caribbean Spotlight Category
presented by Tempo MTV
Eye of the Dolphin
(2006} US/Bahamas
Directed by: Michael D Sellers.
Starring: Carly Schroeder, Adrian Dunbar, George Harris, Chris Herrod, Vivica Watkins, Rudy Lavarity.
A film that was shot in Freeport, Grand Bahama will premier at the Bahamas International Film Festival. A young girl (Schroeder) discovers she can communicate with dolphins.
Vers Le Sud
(2005) Haiti
Directed by: Laurent Cantet.
Starring: Charlotte Rampling, Karen Young, Louise Portal, Menothy Cesar, Lys Ambroise.
Haiti, late 1970’s. Ellen, Brenda and Sue, three North American ladies, on the wrong side of 40 or 50-odd, going through an enchanted interlude. Lonely, forsaken; neglected by men in their native countries, they can indulge here in carnal exultation without shame, thanks to handsome local young men they pay a few dollars.
Nathan Stone: Road to Success
(2006) Bahamas
Directed by: Charlie Smith.
Starring: Nathan Stone.
A Rockumentary following Nathan Stone’s difficult journey to becoming a Pop Star, this film follows his ups and downs as he prepares to perform the perfect concert for his hometown fans. We witness the struggles, dramatic setbacks and a disastrous concert that Nathan bravely gets through, only to later make a triumphant comeback in the end.
