BIFF Staff
STAFF
Leslie Vanderpool, Founder & Executive Director
Paulette Mortimer - Festival Assistant
Candice Broadie - Guest Liaison
Lise Andersson - Web Designer
Kam Cheng - Graphic Designer
Sam Berland - Tech Director, Projectionist
Kerim Duran- Technical Consultant
Tabitha Ritchie - Social Media & Panelist Liaison
Programming Committee
Alexandra Melkman
Belle Winner
Leslie Vanderpool
Tabitha Ritchie
Screening Committee (Middle East Sidebar Spotlight)
Rima Sinani
Edit Avakian
Karine Bagdasarian
Dora Arakelian
Armineh Ayvazian
BOARD MEMBERS
Miss Leslie Vanderpool, Founder & Executive Director
Mr. Stéphane St. Onge - Finance Committee Head
Mr. Solomon Gibson, Treasurer
Ms. Chavasse Turnquest
Mr. Neil Dames
Mr. Julian Reid
Festival Calendar
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Our overview
The Bahamas International Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the local Bahamian community and international visitors with a diverse presentation of films from around the world. In addition to offering films that might not otherwise be released theatrically in the Bahamas, BIFF provides unique cultural experiences, educational programs, and forums for exploring the past, present, and future of cinema.
BIFF has created a legacy of excellence in presenting The Bahamas as a premier film destination to the international cinematic community. Apart from showcasing 1000+ local and international films, we have introduced our culture to more than 1 million film professionals and enthusiasts from around the world.
Each successive year, BIFF grows significantly, with public relations dollar value over $20 million, according to the renowned publicity firm Rogers and Cowan. BIFF has attracted A-list celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Sir Sean Connery, Laurence Fishburne, Grace Jones, Chaz Ebert, Debra Messing, Danny Glover, Heather Graham, Alan Arkin, Roger Corman, Daryl Hannah, Sophie Okonedo, Anna Faris, Naomie Harris, Zoe Kravitz, Lenny Kravitz, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Roger Guenveur Smith, Lee Daniels, Rae Dawn Chong, Michael K. Williams and many more
In June 18, 2012, former U.S. Secretary Hillary Clinton delivered a video message addressing the example of Nassau, Bahamas civil society joining together with the US Embassy to advocate and break barriers to raise awareness by showcasing films that combat discrimination. Nominee for the Democratic Party for President of the United States Hillary Clinton BIFF video highlight.
Additionally, BIFF has succeeded in promoting The Bahamas as a tourist destination and potential cinema production venue through its annual events. Prestigious publications featuring the Festival include The Hollywood News Reporter, Variety Magazine, Hollywood Report, and Moving Pictures Magazine, Premier Magazine, all published in Los Angeles. Publications that featured the Festival are New York Times, Financial Times, Travel & Leisure, Screen International, Entertainment Tonight, Hello Magazine, and London Times.
A quote from one of Hollywood's Best known Film Critic & Author of "The Stories My Father Told Me". Jeffrey Lyons. "The Bahamas International Film Festival is a shining light among a large field of film festivals. I know. I've been attending festivals in Cannes, New York, in Breckenridge, Colorado, and elsewhere. The Bahamas has an astonishing intimacy about it. Young filmmakers, many of them talented Bahamians, get to rub shoulders with movie stars and established filmmakers; contacts they might otherwise not have. It also brings the world to the Bahamas. It helps put the Bahamas on the map among international film festivals; movie stars, directors, writers, and other filmmakers have come to the festival and have spread the word. Just ask Sir Sean Connery, Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Laurence Fishburne and other stars who've been honored or attended. It is a celebration of international artistic achievement in one of the most beautiful places on earth, and a vital part of The Bahamas' standing as a creative Mecca for all."