Article Image Alt Text

Actor Steve Lang presents  soca artist and actor Machel Montano with the first Barbados Independent Film Festival’s Digicel Award for ‘Artistic Excellence’ during the festival’s official opening. 

Film Festival off and running

 

THE Inaugural  Barbados Independent Film Festival (BIFF) has officially begun.
 
On Wednesday night the Barbados Museum and Historical Society’s new Walled Garden Theatre was the venue for the red carpet event which marked the beginning of the festival, which will run from January 11 to January 15.
 
The international film festival is committed to highlighting the work of emerging film makers, producers and actors by providing a platform for independent films that embrace the power of storytelling to inform, inspire and entertain.
 
Co-Director of the BIFF, Sir Trevor Carmichael, described the opening as a special evening in the cultural life of Barbados, representing not only the first Barbados Film Festival, but also the cinematic opening of the Wall Garden Theatre – the latter of which he noted will be officially opened at a later date.
 
CO-Director Jennifer Smith-Bent explained that planning for the event began seven months ago. She noted that judges received 60 submissions to the first edition of the festival, out of which 30 were selected to be screened.
 
According to Sir Trevor, “The marriage of events and ideas is also one which appreciates and respects and celebrates the importance of the great diversity of this small island. An island with its exceptional beauty, multi-talented young people and some old people, it’s outpouring of cultural energy and offerings which totally belie its size.”
 
He said that through the celebration of these films over the five-day festival, Barbados will be able to enhance its own diversity and see the benefits that will be presented in movies, actors, messages, scenery and cinematography, as well as the scripted and unscripted messages of the many movies which will be featured.
 
“The presence [over] the next few days of so many enlightened and gifted movie professionals is also part and parcel of that stimulus that our Cultural Industries enjoy and indeed require. The presence of such a talented and diverse group of persons will stimulate thought, actions and hopefully policies which will all contribute to enlivening and further enhancing our cultural industries.”
 
Sir Trevor also used the opportunity to thank those who made the theatre possible, noting that collaboration allows for diversity to thrive.
 
The Festival opened with the screening of award winning film “Beyond Glory” which was introduced by Actor, writer, and producer Stephen Lang, known from the film “Avatar” and the more recent “Don’t Breathe”. (JH)

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000