BIFF To Focus On Bermudians In Film Industry

The Bermuda International Film Festival [BIFF] will open this year’s festival with a focus on Bermudian actors, directors and producers.

Four events will take place on Sunday, March 10 and Monday, March 11 in the Tradewinds Auditorium of the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

On the festival’s opening day at 4 pm, Bermuda itself takes centre stage with The Isles of the Queen: Bermuda, a documentary shot by a German production house with the assistance of Bermudian filmmakers Lara Smith and Milton Raposo.

The filmmakers toured Hamilton with Town Crier Ed Christopher, went on a lionfish dive with BIOS, rode the bus with driver Michael Simmons, spoke to young Gombeys-in-training, chronicled the Triple Challenge event, went aboard the ‘Spirit of Bermuda’, eavesdropped on a rehearsal session with Heather Nova and Joy Barnum, checked in with model makers Milton Hill and Esmeralda Zanders, attended the Peppercorn Ceremony presided over by Governor John Rankin, and much, much more. The result is an affectionate look at Bermuda through the eyes of visitors to the island.

On opening night at 6pm, the festival will hold a special event to celebrate the film and television career of Bermudian actress Lana Young. This will be followed by the BIFF 2019 Opening Party in the BUEI lobby from 8-10 pm. Tickets to the party will be available at the door or on BIFF/Ptix.bm.

An Evening with Lana Young will feature a screening of Ms Young’s latest feature film, Bentley’s Will in which she plays a lead role, followed by an interview with Ms Young about her career and an audience Q and A. Ms Young said she was delighted to receive the invitation from BIFF.

“Well after blushing and giggling a lot, I was overcome with joy,” she said. “My smile couldn’t have been bigger. To be supported by BIFF, by my beautiful Island in the middle of the sea and my fellow Bermudians, lifts my spirit so high it makes me feel like everything is possible.

“Thank you for having my back, Bermuda. It means the world to know you’re with me in this crazy and unpredictable business that I love so much. See you at the screening.”

On Monday March 11 at 6 pm, Bermudian and Bermuda-based short filmmakers – as well as filmmakers who shot some part of their film on the island or otherwise have a connection to the island – appear in the spotlight in ‘BerMovies Day’.

Films featured are by Bermudian animator Tashel Bean [The Adventures of Raz: Milk Roaches], UK-based Bermudian director Rory Wilson [Prince Jodie, Cicatrix], Bermuda resident director Alex Godfrey [Requiem: The Story of Bermuda’s Disappearing Sharks], director Christopher Annino [Silent Times, partially shot in Bermuda], and director Nora Jacobson [Raghead, written by former Bermuda resident Tom Coash]. A reception will follow the screenings.

At 8pm on the same evening, BIFF will feature director Emmanuel Itier’s documentary, The Cure, of which Bermudian Dawn Zuill and actress Sharon Stone are among the producers. The film is a worldwide journey into healing the mind, healing the body, and healing the planet.

It features Sharon Stone, Vandana Shiva, Deepak Chopra, Sandra Ingerman, Michael Beckwith, Mark Wahlberg, Dr. Sue Morter, Master Sha, Niurka, Amit Goswami, Barbara De Angelis, Ervin Laszlo and many more.

Also, on Monday March 11, filmmaker Mr Itier will conduct a documentary master class from 10-1130 am, while actress Ms Young will host an acting master class from 2-4 pm to help directors get the most out of their cast members. The master classes will be held at Speciality Cinema II.

“The Festival is focused on supporting emerging Bermudian actors, directors and producers”, said festival chair, Patrice Horner. “I’d like to thank everyone for all the effort to pull together this fabulous Film Festival for Bermuda and guests.”

Festival tickets for BIFF films, master classes and parties are on sale now at Biff.ptix.bm.

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