The Island House
Film Festival
April 13th – 16th, 2023
April 13th – 16th, 2023
4 days of films, talks, workshops and celebration.
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.
Thursday, April 13 & Friday, April 14 @ 10am
TIH Meeting Room
FREE
TIHFF is proud to partner with BAM (Bahamas Artist Movement), who will be hosting 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.
Thursday March 26 @ 5:30pm
Invite Only – Filmmakers & Sponsors
Thursday, April 13 @ 8:30pm
Runtime: 1h 44m | Rating: PG-13
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.
Thursday March 26 & Friday March 27 @ 10am
TIH Meeting Room
FREE
TIHFF is proud to partner with BAM (Bahamas Artist Movement), who will be hosting 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.
Friday March 27 @ 1pm
University of The Bahamas
FREE
A Director of Photography – What does he do, where does his job start and end, and what are the ways of working?
Receive hands-on knowledge of the latest cutting edge camera and lighting techniques through practical setups.
Join us for a selection of short films by talented Bahamian Directors as we celebrate the launch of this year’s film lineup. The screening will take place in the Meeting Room at TIH.
All of the below films will be screened followed by a Q&A with their respective directors.
Golden Record – Brandon Thomas & Kyle Ferguson
Broken – Gary Wong
Growing up Gen – Tara Woodside
ATM – Jeffrey Mackey & Ophir Zonicle
Plastic Warrior – Lavado Stubbs
Friday March 27@ 6:30pm
Runtime: 1h1m | Rating: NR
TIH Cinema
After the controversial extradition to the U.S of the famous druglord Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, chaos reigns in his former areas of control in West Kingston, Jamaica. Bands of teenagers kill each other for any little reason. Although violence in Jamaica is always portrayed as drug related, this film unveils a real truth which links a culture of violence to masculinity and shooting guns. Most of the young people from the ghetto don’t even know why they kill each other but they are trapped in this cycle of violence. Former gangsters from Denham Town, Dudu’s previous stronghold, have become violence interrupters, a type of mediators who attempt to put an end to this nonsense situation.
Director Amanda Sans Pantling will be in attendance for a Q&A post screening.
Friday March 27 @ 8:30pm
Runtime: 1h20m | Rating: NR
TIH Meeting Room
A battle of the sexes is brewing, thanks to Tanya and her feminine charms. She has a way with men, who just can’t resist her. Over the years, she has learned to beguile and manipulate men who have the strongest of will power. However, things go left when she meets a group of women who need her help. As she teaches them her secrets, chaos hits all these relationships.
This drama with generous sprinklings of comedy stars Tara Woodside, Clarence Knowles, Leslie Ellis-Tynes and Dion Johnson.
Director Clarence Rolle will be in attendance to introduce the film.
Thursday March 26 & Friday March 27 @ 6pm
Saturday Mach 28 & Sunday March 29 @ 10am
The Outpost
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. This year’s workshop will combine audition technique, scene study, making strong character choices, working with a scene partner, filming a scene, terminology used on major motion TV and Film sets, set etiquette, the different production roles and so much more. The final product will be 3 separate scenes filmed and performed by you!
Space is limited so only the first 10 to sign up will receive an original script to learn and audition with. Please choose the role you see yourself in, make strong character choices and come to the audition completely off book and ready to read for a part with other actors. We will also be looking to fill background actors and production crew roles. Those that are interested in being “behind the scenes” are also welcome. If you are a film maker and would like the opportunity to film the scene, co-direct, do sound, be in charge of hair and makeup, we are looking for you!
Friday March 27, 2020 @ 8:30pm
Runtime: 2h12m | Rating: R
TIH Cinema
Jobless, penniless, and, above all, hopeless, the Kim Family occupy themselves by working for peanuts in their squalid basement-level apartment. Then, by sheer luck, a lucrative business proposition will pave the way for an ingeniously insidious scheme, as the son summons up the courage to pose as an English tutor for the teenage daughter of the affluent Park family. Now, the stage seems set for an unceasing winner-take-all class war. How does one get rid of a parasite?
Korean with English Subtitles
Thursday March 26 & Friday March 27 @ 6pm
Saturday Mach 28 & Sunday March 29 @ 10am
The Outpost
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. This year’s workshop will combine audition technique, scene study, making strong character choices, working with a scene partner, filming a scene, terminology used on major motion TV and Film sets, set etiquette, the different production roles and so much more. The final product will be 3 separate scenes filmed and performed by you!
Space is limited so only the first 10 to sign up will receive an original script to learn and audition with. Please choose the role you see yourself in, make strong character choices and come to the audition completely off book and ready to read for a part with other actors. We will also be looking to fill background actors and production crew roles. Those that are interested in being “behind the scenes” are also welcome. If you are a film maker and would like the opportunity to film the scene, co-direct, do sound, be in charge of hair and makeup, we are looking for you!
Saturday March 28, 2020 @ 10am
TIH Meeting Room
FREE
A Director of Photography – What does he do, where does his job start and end, and what are the ways of working?
Receive hands-on knowledge of the latest cutting edge camera and lighting techniques through practical setups.
Saturday March 28 @ 11:30am
Runtime: 1h32m | Rating: PG
TIH Cinema
A testament to the immense complexity of nature, The Biggest Little Farm follows two dreamers and a dog on an odyssey to bring harmony to both their lives and the land. The film chronicles eight years of daunting work and outsize idealism as they attempt to create the utopia they seek, planting 10,000 orchard trees and over 200 different crops, and bringing in animals of every kind – When the farm’s ecosystem finally begins to reawaken, so does the Chesters’ hope – but as their plan to create perfect harmony takes a series of wild turns, they realize that to survive they will have to reach a far greater understanding of the intricacies and wisdom of nature, and of life itself.
Saturday March 28, 2020 @ 2pm
TIH Meeting Room
FREE
Bahamian director Neville Smith (‘Those From Shallow Waters) will discuss his process and teach documentary filmmaking fundamentals, interview techniques and empower participants to tell stories about issues that affect their own communities. A great session for those looking to use the power of filmmaking to initiate change and tell important stories.
Saturday March 28 @ 2pm
Runtime: 1h22m | Rating: NR
TIH Cinema
In a redemption center on the outskirts of New York, undocumented illegal aliens and underdogs have a shared disappointment in the American Dream. Responding to this false promise, Ana, Walter, Eugene, Pierre and René, will find comfort in each other’s company. Dreams don’t die if the journey continues, regardless of origins and destinations.
Director Alex Lora will be in attendance for a Q&A after the screening.
Saturday March 28 @ 4:30pm
Runtime: 1h | Rating: PG
TIH Cinema
A story of rescue, courage and family
Hurricane Dorian not only managed to devastate parts of Northern Bahamas, including Abaco and Freeport, it also separated many families, leaving thousands of people and animals displaced. Meet the courageous rescuers who helped reunite 10 dogs and their owner, that miraculously survived the storm in one of the hardest hit areas, and hear from others still fighting to have their families and pets back home.
Director & Co-Producer Evelyn Vaccaro will be in attendance for a Q&A post screening.
Saturday March 28 @ 6pm
Runtime: 1h53m | Rating: R
TIH Cinema
Years of carrying out death row executions have taken a toll on prison warden Bernadine Williams. As she prepares to execute another inmate, Bernadine must confront the psychological and emotional demons her job creates, ultimately connecting her to the man she is sanctioned to kill.
A Celebration of Bahamian Resilience and Talent!
Saturday March 28 @ 7pm
It has become tradition to host one big party during our festival, and this year is no exception – We are therefore thrilled to invite you to a special screening of a documentary by Bahamian director Neville Smith called ‘Those From Shallow Waters, Special Report: Hurricane Dorian’ followed by a night of Bahamian food and music under the open sky.
Tickets are $100 (Includes screening, buffet & open bar)
To purchase tickets call 698-6300, email info@the-island-house.com or stop by the Front Desk.
Saturday March 28 @ 8:30pm
Runtime: 2h1m | Rating: R
TIH Cinema
In 18th century France a young painter, Marianne, is commissioned to do the wedding portrait of Héloïse without her knowing. Therefore, Marianne must observe her model by day to paint her portrait at night. Day by day, the two women become closer as they share Héloïse’s last moments of freedom before the impending wedding.
French with English Subtitles
Thursday March 26 & Friday March 27 @ 6pm
Saturday Mach 28 & Sunday March 29 @ 10am
The Outpost
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. This year’s workshop will combine audition technique, scene study, making strong character choices, working with a scene partner, filming a scene, terminology used on major motion TV and Film sets, set etiquette, the different production roles and so much more. The final product will be 3 separate scenes filmed and performed by you!
Space is limited so only the first 10 to sign up will receive an original script to learn and audition with. Please choose the role you see yourself in, make strong character choices and come to the audition completely off book and ready to read for a part with other actors. We will also be looking to fill background actors and production crew roles. Those that are interested in being “behind the scenes” are also welcome. If you are a film maker and would like the opportunity to film the scene, co-direct, do sound, be in charge of hair and makeup, we are looking for you!
Sunday March 29 @ 11:30am
Runtime: 1h30m | Rating: NR
TIH Cinema
When 17-year-old Lennon Lacy is found hanging from a swing set in rural North Carolina in 2014, his mother’s search for justice and reconciliation begins while the trauma of more than a century of lynching African Americans bleeds into the present.
Director Jaqueline Olive will be in attendance for a Q&A post-screening.
Sunday March 29, 2020 @ 12:30pm
TIH Meeting Room
FREE
After a cataclysmic event such as hurricanes and natural disasters, what is the filmmaker and storyteller ‘s role and responsibility in ensuring that the stories of survivors are heard? What are the protocols involved if any, and what is that experience like?
A dialogue with two filmmakers Peter Bailey and Neville Smith (Those From Shallow Waters).
Sunday March 29 @ 2pm
Runtime: 1h38m | Rating: NR
TIH Cinema
This is the inspiring true story of a community that took care of each other during life’s greatest storms. It’s the tale of how one journalist sheds light on his community when nature and the rest of the world left them in darkness.
Director Peter Bailey will be in attendance for a Q&A post-screening.
Screening of ‘License 2 Create’ with Panel Discussion
Sunday March 29 @ 3pm
TIH Meeting Room
FREE
An insightful documentary film that bears witness to the desires, fears, and successes of Bahamian Creatives: Anastarcia Palacious, Wendi, Nathan J. Burrows, TAP, David Rolle, Sawyerboy, Sarsha Taylor, Kishan Munroe feature prominently in this documentary from Kerel Pinder.
Immediately after the screening, the director and cast will join Kareem Mortimer and Aliv’s Theo Mcclain to discuss how to achieve and sustain a creative career in The Bahamas.
Sunday March 29 @ 5pm
Runtime: 1h42m | Rating: NR
TIH Cinema
A teenage kitesurfer from the Dominican Republic sets out to compete professionally in the coastal town of Cabarete, but soon gets caught up in an endless stream of hard-partying that attempts to get the best of him.
Director Ivan Bordas will be in attendance for a Q&A post-screening.
Spanish with English Subtitles
Sunday March 29 @ 6:30pm
CocoPlum Restaurant
Join us as we celebrate the closing night of the festival with this intimate screening of the French film ‘A Bluebird in My Heart’ at CocoPlum Restaurant.
Tickets are $60 (includes screening, food and drink)
To purchase tickets call 698-6300, email info@the-island-house.com or stop by the Front Desk.
French with English Subtitles
Sunday March 29, 2020 @ 8pm
Runtime: 1h44m | Rating: R
TIH Cinema
Greed tells the story of self-made British billionaire Sir Richard McCreadie, whose retail empire is in crisis. For 30 years he has ruled the world of retail fashion, bringing the high street to the catwalk and the catwalk to the high street. But after a damaging public inquiry, his image is tarnished. To save his reputation, he decides to bounce back with a highly publicised and extravagant party celebrating his 60th birthday on the Greek island of Mykonos.
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
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.
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.
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at The Coffee Bar, lunch takeout at Mahogany Pizza, open air dining at Shima or cocktails at Mahogany House.
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
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.”
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.