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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
Visiting FLIFF filmmakers along with organizers of the 4 day film festival gather for a group shot at Pelican Bay Hotel. Photo: David Mackey / TheBahamasWeekly.com
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Freeport, Bahamas - The 3rd annual FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama
Island film festival wrapped up on Sunday, November 3rd at the Pelican
Bay Hotel. The film festival is an offshoot of FLIFF, the international
festival which runs in Fort Lauderdale from October 18th through
November 11th. Each year the founder, Gregory von Hausch invites a
handful of international filmmakers over to Grand Bahama for the 4-day
'On Location' event to screen along with Bahamian films in the open,
college and high school categories. Aside from films, this year's event
provided informative film workshops led by visiting filmmakers,
including Ian Strachan from Nassau. International FLIFF guests were
also given an island locations familiarization tour in hopes to
encourage future film locations.
Actress Joelle Carter was this year's FLIFF Star on the Horizon
honouree; and in her company was the legendary drive-in cult classics
filmmaker, William Grefe; film actor, director, Diego de la Texera from
Puerto Rico; directors, Jayce and Tiffany Bartok; film distributors,
Scott Mansfield and Jere Rae-Mansfield of monterey media; and naturalist
and underwater photographer, Jonathan Bird.
"FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama was unforgettable! The hospitality,
atmosphere and unique experience will be one we remember forever. As
filmmakers, we seldom are allowed to decompress and relax in order to
find our creativity again, and this is exactly what happened when we
landed in the Bahamas with other like-minded individuals. We established
lifelong friendships and learned from the local filmmakers and our
hosts. We will not soon forget the generosity that was displayed." -
Tiffany Bartok, producer/director
Kareem Mortimer won in the Bahamas Open Category for his film PASSAGE and is seen here with Craig Woods, Bahamas Film and Television Commissioner; and Betty Bethel, General Manager, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Grand Bahama Photo: David Mackey / TheBahamasWeekly.com
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This year's international films offered a rich selection of
entertainment. Films featured were: A Perfect Man (Netherlands);
Jonathan Bird's Blue World series (USA); Broche Del Oro (Puerto Rico);
Chasing Shakespeare (USA); Free Ride (USA); Girl on a Bicycle
(France); Little One (South Africa); Sammy 2: Escape from Paradise
(USA); The Rocket (Laos); and They Came from a Swamp (USA), as well as a
selection of foreign short films.
"FLIFF on Location in the Bahamas was the best film festival we've
attended as it had the perfect balance of location, people and
hospitality. It was great to see the Bahamas filmmaker competition and
hear how it has grown over the past three years. The smiles on the faces
of those at the wrap party were wonderful!" - Jonathan and Christine
Bird / Jonathan Bird's Blue World
This year saw a significant increase in submissions from The
Bahamas, proving that festivals such as this do nurture and encourage
the growth of this industry. Two of the Bahamian filmmakers also
traveled ti screen at FLIFF in Florida which is also significant for the
country.
After the festival closing film, awards and congratulations were
handed out by Craig Woods, Bahamas Film and Television Commissioner and
Betty Bethel, General Manager, Ministry of Tourism Grand Bahama to the
following:
Open Category: Winner, Passage, directed by Kareem Mortimer; 2nd
Place, Womanish Ways, directed by Marion Bethel; and 3rd Place, Crave,
directed by Bruce Russell.
College Category: Winner, Rhythms of
the Bahamas, Brittany Ambrister, College Of The Bahamas; 2nd place,
Father May I , Sloan Smith, College Of The Bahamas; and 3rd place,
Drip-Color My World , Aryana Joy Roberts, Full Sail University.
High School Category: Winner, Happy 40th Bahamas, George McInnes,
Lucaya International School 2nd place, The Good Samaritan, Joanne
Petit Homme, Eight Mile Rock High School; and 3rd place, Jane Cartwright
, Wiaja Hepburn, Eight Mile Rock High School.
George McInnes won in the Bahamas High School Film Competition for his film, HAPPY 40TH BAHAMAS and is seen here with his high school principal, Sharon Wilson, Lucaya International School (right) and Betty Bethel, General Manager, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Grand Bahama (left). McInnes receives two round-trip tickets to Fort Lauderdale, complete with hotel accommodations and transportation to attend the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival; a $500.00 cash prize, and a trophy for placement in their school. Photo: David Mackey / TheBahamasWeekly.com
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“My hope for Bahamian filmmaking is that people keep doing it, keep
pushing the boundaries, and recognize the value in films,” said film
commissioner, Craig Woods.
"'Three times is a charm' is most
appropriate for this year's event as the wrap party on Sunday was
symbolic of the growth of this event," said Bahamas tourism general
manager, Betty Bethel. "Year 1 we crept, year 2 we took baby steps, and
here we are at year 3, standing firmly on the discovery of young,
talented Bahamian filmmakers, who will be the catalyst to re-introducing
Grand Bahama Island to the world, as a sustainable movie destination."
Festival organizers wish to thank all those who came out to support
the filmmakers and make the festival a success. There is no doubt that
film development has the potential to enhance the local economy, and the
Ministry of Tourism intends to build on the success of FLIFF and
develop a formula that combines attracting film projects as well as
leisure visitors to the island. The increased number of local
filmmakers and trained crew base present in Grand Bahama Island, and The
Islands of the Bahamas, shines a favourable light to encourage more
major and independent film projects.
FLIFF On Location is a collaboration between the Fort Lauderdale
International Film Festival, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Grand
Bahama Island Tourism Board, and was made possible through the generous
support of the Pelican Bay Hotel; TheBahamasWeekly.com; Mackey Media
Ltd; Bahamas Celebration Cruises; The Grand Bahama Port Authority
Limited; Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board; FLIFF; and the Grand Bahama
Ministry of Tourism.
The lovely Joelle Carter, American actor was the FLIFF 2013 Star on the Horizon honouree and was featured in the film, A PERFECT MAN. Photo: David Mackey / TheBahamasWeekly.com
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More post-event remarks from the international FLIFF filmmakers:
"It's
rare that a film festival can bring together such a wonderful group of
international filmmakers in such a singularly beautiful place as Grand
Bahama Island, but FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama did just that.
Intimate exchanges with Bahamian Filmmakers inspired and put into focus
why we create. I look forward to my next visit back to Grand Bahama
Island." - Jayce Bartok actor/writer/director, The Cake Eaters, Fall To
Rise
"FLIFF on Grand Bahama was simply lovely. I was inspired by the
Island and calmed by the laid back lifestyle. Mostly honored to be
invited, and so grateful to have met so many creative artists. Thanks to
Greg and Bonnie, The Ministry of Tourism, Terrance Roberts, Craig Woods
and all involved for there efforts to keep independent film alive." -
Joelle Carter, actor and FLIFF 2013 Star on the Horizon Honouree
"Perfection! Thank you for inviting us and showing us the wonderful
hospitality of the Bahamian people. The Festival was a hugh success
because of all of you." - Grace and William Grefe, director, THEY CAME
FROM A SWAMP
"On behalf of Monterey Media and “Girl on a Bicycle” I wanted to
extend my thanks and congratulations to the gracious Bahamian people.
The beautiful Bahamas’ warm welcome was felt via our lovely
accommodations at Pelican Bay Resort, colorful entertainment, thoughtful
attendees and the most gracious of festival volunteers. We were honored
to be included and share our comedy with a truly appreciative
audience." - Jere Rae-Mansfield, CFO & Co-Managing Founder, monterey
media inc
"It is the best festival in the world!!!! Thanks to all for an unforgettable sojourn in the pristine Bahamas...and especially to Greg and Bonnie, angels of hospitality..." - Diego de la Texera, actor in BROCHE DEL ORO (Puerto Rico)
"It's rare that a film festival can bring together such a wonderful
group of international filmmakers in such a singularly beautiful place
as Grand Bahama Island, but FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama did just
that. Intimate exchanges with Bahamian Filmmakers inspired and put into
focus why we create. I look forward to my next visit back to Grand
Bahama Island." - Jayce Bartok actor/writer/director
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