The Island House
Film Festival
April 13th – 16th, 2023
The Island House
Join Us
4 days of films, talks, workshops and celebration.
#TIHFF23
The Island House Film Festival is an independent non-competitive film festival in The Bahamas. TIHFF celebrates and focuses on films and filmmakers that emerge from the Caribbean region, celebrating Bahamian premieres of international, regional and local narrative films and documentaries. Panels and workshops that educate and inspire creativity amongst the Bahamian population, as well as placing a strong focus on educational outreach programs is key to TIHFF, thus expanding the film industry in the region.
PROGRAM
We are thrilled to be hosting 4 days of films, talks, workshops and parties between April 13th and 16th, 2023.
THURSDAY, APRIL 13
10:00 AM | Introduction to Acting for Film & Television Student Workshop - Day 1
Introduction to Acting for Film & Television Student Workshop – Hosted by Bahamas Artist Movement – Day 1
Thursday, April 13 @ 10am
TIH Meeting Room
FREE
TIHFF is proud to once again partner with B.A.M. (Bahamas Artist Movement), to host two mornings of workshops designed for high-school students ages 13 –18 years old. The workshops will introduce kids to the world of acting, provide insight into the industry and provide a brief look at theatre performance.
5:30 PM | Welcome Reception
Welcome Reception
Thursday, April 13 @ 5:30pm
Invite Only – Filmmakers & Sponsors
8:00 PM | Women Talking (USA)
Women Talking (USA)
Thursday, April 13 @ 8pm
USA | 2022 | Sarah Polley | Runtime: 1h 44m
TIH Cinema
The women of an isolated religious community grapple with reconciling their reality with their faith. Though the backstory, we see a community of women come together to figure out how they might move forward together to build a better world for themselves and their children. Stay and fight or leave. They will not do nothing.
FRIDAY, APRIL 14
10:00 AM | Introduction to Acting for Film & Television Student Workshop - Day 2
Introduction to Acting for Film & Television Student Workshop – Hosted by Bahamas Artist Movement – Day 2
Friday, April 14 @ 10am
TIH Meeting Room
FREE
TIHFF is proud to once again partner with B.A.M. (Bahamas Artist Movement), to host two mornings of workshops designed for high-school students ages 13 –18 years old. The workshops will introduce kids to the world of acting, provide insight into the industry and provide a brief look at theatre performance.
4:00 PM | Vision: The Story of Sir Harold Christie (The Bahamas)
Vision: The Story of Sir Harold Christie
Friday, April 14 @ 4pm
The Bahamas | 2022 | Kareem Mortimer | Runtime: 1h 33m
TIH Cinema
Sir Harold Christie is a unique figure in Bahamian history. He rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most powerful figures in the country/ This documentary will explore his rise to prominence and his legacy in The Bahamas. Through interviews with family, friends, and experts, the film will paint a picture of a man who achieved remarkable success despite his difficult upbringing. Sir Harold Christie was a true pioneer in the Bahamas, and this documentary will celebrate his life and accomplishments.
Director Kareem Mortimer will be in attendance post screening for a Q&A
4:30 PM | Goombay Kids Casting
Goombay Kids Casting
Friday, April 14 @ 4:30pm
Hosted by Goombay Kids | The team behind the successful Bahamian Kids TV series will be hosting a casting to discover new young talent for future productions.
6:00 PM | Those From Shallow Waters: Days after Dorian; Marco Archer (2 Screenings) (The Bahamas)
Those From Shallow Waters: Days after Dorian; Marco Archer (2 Documentary Screenings)
Friday, April 14 @ 6pm
The Bahamas | 2019-23 | Neville Smith | Runtime: 1h 51m
The Meeting Room
“Those from Shallow Waters” is a collection of shorts about the inhabitants of The Bahamas (derived from the Spanish “baja mar,” meaning shallow seas). The collection tells unique and contemporary stories about born-and-bred Bahamians and those who have made The Bahamas their home.
Director Neville Smith will be in attendance for a post screening Q&A.
6:30 PM | Goombay Kids (The Bahamas)
Goombay Kids
Friday, April 14 @ 6:30pm
The Bahamas | 2022-23 | Runtime: 1h 33m
Family Outdoor Screening at Island Pizza
A group of kids goes on adventures in The Bahamas to explore and learn more about the country.
Directors & Producers will be in attendance for post screening Q&A.
6:30 PM | Triangle of Sadness (Sweden)
Triangle of Sadness
Friday, April 14 @ 6:30pm
Sweden | 2022 | Ruben Östlund | Runtime: 2h 20m
Carl and Yaya, a couple of influencers, are invited to a luxury cruise ship alongside a group of out-of-touch wealthy people. The situation takes an unexpected turn when a brutal storm hits the ship. In Ruben Östlund’s wickedly funny Palme d’Or winner, social hierarchy is turned upside down, revealing the tawdry relationship between power and beauty.
8:00 PM | DJ AI at Yellowbell
DJ AI at Yellowbell
Friday, April 14 @ 8pm
9:30 PM | Three Ways (USA)
Three Ways
Friday April 14 @ 9:30pm
USA | 2022 | Jamal Dedeaux | Runtime: 1h 32m
TIH Cinema
A comedy told in three ways… Sexually awkward Stacey Johnson decides to take control of her life, cancel her ex, and conquer her fears by having a threesome with her new beau and a mysterious woman she’s never met. What could possibly go wrong?
Director Jamal Dedeaux will be in attendance for a Q&A post screening.
SATURDAY, APRIL 15
9:30 AM | Casting A-Z Workshop - Hosted by Evelyn O. Vacarro
Casting A-Z Workshop – Hosted by Evelyn O. Vacarro
Saturday, April 15 @ 9:30am
The Meeting Room
FREE
Evelyn is back! Learn firsthand from her 20 years of experience in the film and TV business, as on camera talent as well as a commercial and documentary writer/producer/director.
Learn tips & tricks on how best to perform at a casting for film, theatre and television.
The afternoon will begin with a 1-hr Q&A, followed by the active side of the session.
THE STUNT WORKSHOP PORTION
- Learn how Evelyn performed some of her stunts in Black Panther Wakanda Forever, John Wick 3, Outerbanks Season 2, The Endgame and other hit TV shows
- Learn what it takes to become a stunt performer from the training and how to market yourself to the stunt coordinators with reels and resumes
- Learn about stunt doubling versus stunt utility and stunt ND work.
- Then watch Evelyn and her stunt partner perform different stunts whilst explaining different protective measures taken for each stunt: how to stay safe while keeping others safe, camera angles, performing with other stunt performers, set etiquette and much more.
10:30 AM | Screenwriting Workshop - Hosted by Tim Papciak
Screenwriting Workshop – Hosted by Tim Papciak
Saturday, April 15 @ 10:30am
The Library
FREE
Tim Papciak has worked as a writer, a script coordinator, and a concept consultant. He has both sold his own original material and written for a live-action series currently on Disney+. Additionally, he has consulted for producers, film financiers, content creators, and industry executives on a variety of scripts and intellectual property.
Through an intimate chat and Q&A, this session will provide insight into the world of writing for film and television. Tim will share his experiences, as well as his firmly held beliefs about what makes a screenplay “great” — or “matter” — and how to stand out in a highly-competitive market.
12:00 PM | Freda (Haiti)
Freda
Saturday, April 15 @ 12pm
Haiti | 2021 | Gessica Généus | Runtime: 1h 33m
TIH Cinema
Freda lives with her mother, sister, and little brother in a popular neighborhood in Haiti. They survive with their little street food shop. The precariousness and violence of their daily life push them to do everything they can to escape their situation in the hope of finding a better life.
1:00 PM | Two-Faced Nation: Gender Inequality in The Bahamas (The Bahamas)
Two-Faced Nation: Gender Inequality in The Bahamas
Saturday April 15 @ 1pm
The Bahamas | 2023 | Gina Rodgers-Sealy | tbd.
The Meeting Room
FREE
2:00 PM | Documentary Film Making Workshop - Hosted by Neville Smith
Documentary Film Making Workshop – Hosted by Neville Smith
Saturday, April 15 @ 2pm
The Library
2:30 PM | A Thousand and One (USA)
A Thousand and One
Saturday April 15 @ 2:30pm
USA | 2023 | A.V. Rockwell | Runtime: 1h 56m
TIH Cinema
Unapologetic and free-spirited Inez kidnaps 6-year-old Terry from the foster care system. Holding on to their secret and each other, mother and son set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability in a rapidly changing New York City.
5:00 PM | 1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture
1946: The Mistranslation that Shifted Culture
Saturday, April 15 @ 5pm
USA | 2022 | Sharon ‘Rocky’ Roggio | Runtime: 1h 32m
TIH Cinema
The mystery of how theology, history, culture, and politics led to a Biblical mistranslation, the man who tried to stop it, and the impassioned academic crusade of the LGBTQIA+ Christian community driven to discover the truth.
Director Sharon ‘Rocky’ Roggio and Producer Jena will be in attendance for a Q&A post screening.
7:00 PM | Bahamas Strong Screening & Signature Party
TIHFF Signature Party
Saturday, April 15 @ 7pm
TIH Lawn
SUNDAY, APRIL 16
9-11 AM | Filmmaker & Sponsor Coffee Corner
Filmmaker & Sponsor Coffee Corner
Sunday, April 16, 9-11am
The Cinema Terrace
11:00 AM | Saint Omer
Saint Omer
Sunday, April 16 @ 11am
France | 2022 | Alice Diop | 2h 2m
TIH Cinema
Rama is a novelist who attends the trial of Laurence Coly, a young woman accused of killing her 15-month-old daughter. Testimonies from witnesses and Coly’s own words soon shake Rama’s convictions.
2:00 PM | Let Me Be Me (USA)
Let Me Be Me
Sunday, April 16 @ 2:00pm
USA | 2021 | Katie Taber, Dan Crane | Runtime: 1h 15m
The Meeting Room
When the Westphal family learned that their 6-year-old Kyle was on the Autism spectrum, they feared they might never develop a real connection with their child. Withdrawn and constantly wrapping himself in fabric and blankets, Kyle was retreating from the world around him. Determined to find a way to connect, his parents embarked on an intense and radical journey that involved compassionately joining Kyle in his unique behaviors. Twenty years later, the entire family looks back at Kyle’s journey with candor and humor.
Lead subject Kyle Westphal will be in attendance for a Q&A post screening.
4:30 PM | Plantadas (Cuba)
Plantadas
Sunday, April 16 @ 4:30pm
Cuba | 2022 | Camilo Vilaplana & Lilo Vilaplana | Runtime: 1h 33m
TIH Cinema
Alina, Luisa, and América are three women who, after fighting to restore and stabilize democracy in their country, realize their revolution leader has betrayed them. The three women begin to confront and challenge the new system in their own ways, and they are imprisoned for thinking differently. Their lives become intertwined in the misfortune they endure in the dungeon of a jail where their human rights are violated without respect for their womanhood.
Director Lilo Vilaplan and Executive Producer Irasema Oterio will be in attendance for a post screening Q&A.
7:30 PM | Tár (USA)
Tár
Sunday, April 16 @ 7:30pm
USA | 2023 | Todd Field | Runtime: 2h 38m
TIH Cinema
Lydia Tár is the groundbreaking conductor of a major German Orchestra, at the height of her career, preparing both a book launch and a much-anticipated live performance of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony. Over the ensuing weeks, her life begins to unravel in a singularly modern way. The result is a searing examination of power and its impact and durability in today’s society.
KEY
- Workshop
- Movie
- Event
- UB Event
VENUE
Like The Island House itself, the 48-seat cinema was designed to attract and captivate both guests and local culture buffs alike. Regularly featuring both blockbuster and art house films, the versatile space also hosts live music, seminars and speaking events.
Mahogany Hill Western Rd, Nassau
(242) 698-6300
4.9 mi / 7.9 km from Downtown
Amenities
Merging the height of contemporary luxury with the understated elegance of authentic island life, The Island House offers today’s sophisticated traveller an experience that is warm and intimate in spirit, polished and discerning in character.
Rooms
Unwind in a plush contemporary style with sweeping views of our Lyford Cay Marina or Relax in your very own private retreat with spacious porch whilst enjoying poolside views amongst lush greenery.
Dining
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at The Coffee Bar, lunch takeout at Mahogany Pizza, open air dining at Shima or cocktails at Mahogany House.
Wellness
Wellness is a central theme of The Island House. The property features a variety of health, fitness and treatment options designed to energize, rejuvenate and relax.
23
FILMS SCREENED
10
FREE TALKS AND WORKSHOPS
200
TALK AND WORKSHOP ATTENDEES
1000
SCREENINGS ATTENDED
REGISTER
Tickets for all films are only $10, workshops and talks are free –You can book by clicking on the Eventbrite link (under each post), by visiting The Island House Front Desk or by calling 698.6300 for more information.
“A stunning and distinct array of skills, shots and presentations that articulate the splendor of different and unique views and talents coming together in a weekend of intense filmic pleasure at the third annual Island House Film Festival.”
“I had an amazing experience at my University of the Bahamas lecture – It was great interacting with fellow creatives and I hope to come again!”
“Thank you so much for the fabulously intimate festival, I feel I made very real connections and appreciated the opportunity to share my film with the Bahamian audience. The events were well organized, the team calm and collected and the movies were great!”
“Thank you to The Island House Film Festival. You made our trip for Life In The Doghouse so special!”
“I thoroughly enjoyed the Insight Into The Film Industry Workshop, thank you once again to The Island House Film Festival as well as Evelyn Vaccaro. I learnt so much and was delighted to get such an intriguing insight into the industry.”
“I’m always available for TIHFF – Thanks for opening the door to me and my films.”
“Tim’s screenwriting workshop was really inspiring – He is so relatable and gave us lots of great tips that I can’t wait to use in my future pieces”
“Thanks so much for another wonderful festival, a great screening of Reggae Boyz (and party!), for your hospitality and for making everything super comfortable for everyone.”
OUR SPONSORS
TIHFF 2023 Key Visual Created by Artist Cydne Coleby
Cydne Coleby (B. 1993, Nassau, Bahamas) attended The College of The Bahamas (now University) where she received her associate degree in art in 2012.
In 2018, Coleby reintroduced her art practice at The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas as a part of their Ninth National Exhibition with a body of work entitled “A God Called Self”. Since then, she continues to produce digital collages and mixed-media paintings that engage themes of personal and Caribbean identity, sexuality, and gender.