Appreciating the Era of Cinema within The Bahamas
Enjoy conversations with producers and film aficionados of The Bahamas
Steven Beer - Moderator
Steven concentrates his practice on film, television and music matters. He represents industry-leading film, television, and music companies and has acted as counsel to numerous award-winning writers, directors, producers, and multi-platinum musical artists.
Steven has been listed annually in Super Lawyers New York Metro Edition. Research and Markets listed him as one of the top lawyers in Entertainment Law, Settlements and Negotiations. The Wrap online magazine cited Steven as one of “21 Great Thinkers of Indie Film.”
Steven regularly attends major film festivals — including Cannes, Sundance, SXSW, Toronto, and Tribeca — where he negotiates distribution rights deals. In addition to acting as production and distribution counsel for many independent films, Steven has also acted as executive producer.
He frequently writes and lectures about film and music issues and matters related to young artists. Allworth Press published Your Child’s Career in Music and Entertainment: The Prudent Parent’s Guide in 2015. In 2012, his article “The New Renaissance Paradigm – A Break-through Time For Artists” was published in the inaugural edition of the Berkeley Entertainment Law Journal and his article “Life After Sundance: Distribution and Marketing for the 99 Percent” was published in Indiewire.
Steven serves as a trustee to the City Parks Foundation and is co-chair of the Arts Committee responsible for SummerStage, NYC’s largest free performing arts festival. He is also a Rooftop Films board member and plays ice hockey in his spare time.
Representative Work
- Legal services to independent film producers, directors, screenwriters, actors, musicians, and film production and distribution companies.
- Counsel to talent management companies, personal talent managers, and individual talent in the arenas of music, film, and writing.
Leslie Vanderpool
Leslie Vanderpool is the founder and executive director of Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF). For over a decade, she has had extensive knowledge in the planning and development of film festivals. Vanderpool a graduate of the performing arts high school called Purnell School received a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations at Mount Vernon College before going on to pursue her passion for theater & film. She studied at Lee Strasberg Acting Institute & Shakespeare at Balliol College, Oxford University, Oxford, England, where Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw and many more honed her skills.
In 2004, Vanderpool launched BIFF, which has showcased more than 1000 films from 150 countries. Many of the films subsequently have won Academy Awards. She has paid tribute to A-List Celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Sean Connery, Debra Messing, Roger Corman, Danny Glover, Grace Jones, Nicholas Cage, Laurence Fishburne, Heather Graham, Lenny Kravitz, Alan Arkin, Daryl Hannah, Sophie Okonedo, Sydney T. Poitier, Zoe Kravitz, Anna Faris, Naomie Harris and many more.
Vanderpool has been innovative in taking filmmaking into schools, institutes, and the Bahamas Correctional Facility to teach all aspects of filmmaking. Vanderpool has created unique cultural experiences such as ‘Summer Films In The Square’ and ‘Theater In The Park.’
She is a pioneer, an entrepreneur, who discovers and nurtures many careers. Her strong background in networking, marketing, branding, film production, and sponsorship sets her apart. Vanderpool is proud to be advancing the film industry within The Bahamas
Chris Mortimer
In 1999, following his dream of motion pictures and film, Mr. Mortimer formed the independent movie theater company Galleria Cinemas. In 2001, he led the buyout of Grand Bahama Theaters to enter the Freeport Market. Three years later, in 2004, Mr. Mortimer led the consolidation of the film industry through the buyout of RND Cinemas.
Mr. Mortimer is involved in many pursuits with the express goal of creating opportunities for Bahamian content creators in the fields of film and music to make their mark on the world stage. Through his directorships on two Los Angeles Based recorded music affiliations, he has helped many talented Bahamians access international distribution through the world’s number one distribution company, Universal Music and Video Distribution. He has also served as Executive Producer on the first Bahamian film to Premier at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival, “Rain” which was written and directed by a young Bahamian woman.
Lauren holds a BA in Psychology from Vassar College and an MA in Sociology from the University of Toronto. She has worked and volunteered in the Higher Education and Arts and Culture sectors, and attended her first film festival in September 2018 (TIFF '18). She then joined TIFF's Adult Learning department to assist with programming initiatives that Fall and soon after volunteered at the Toronto Black Film Festival and Hot Docs. Most recently, Lauren co-organized an LGBTQ+ film series as part of her volunteer work with Equality Bahamas. A film lover from a young age, Lauren has a special appreciation for stories that center Black lived experiences and demonstrate the power of good writing and good cinematography.
Audley Hanna, Jr. specializes in various areas of Civil and Commercial Litigation, with a particular focus on employment law, admiralty law, insurance law, intellectual property litigation, and personal injury litigation. Audley has significant experience as Counsel in The Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Audley holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from Fisk University in Psychology and English. He obtained his Bachelor of Law (LL.B.) degree, with First-Class Honours, from the University of Buckingham in England. Thereafter, he completed the Legal Profession Course and obtained his Master of Law (LL.M.) degree from Northumbria University.
Audley was called to the Bar of the Third Appellate District of the State of New York in 2008. He completed a Legal Education Certificate at the University of the West Indies and was called to the Bahamas Bar in 2010 becoming an Associate with Higgs & Johnson that same year. He was named a Senior Associate in 2017 and became a Partner in 2019.
Audley is listed as a recommended lawyer by Legal 500 Caribbean (2019-2021) and has contributed to numerous publications including co-authoring the Bahamas Chapter in International Franchising (2016).
