Three Bahamian films are being featured this weekend at the Portland Maine Film Festival.
The works by Kareem Mortimer, Lavado Stubbs and Marinah Jello are being spotlighted as part of the Bahamas Film Commission's efforts to promote the emerging Bahamian film market to international audiences.
The grassroots festival's founder and director is Tyler Johnston, a filmmaker of Bahamian heritage.
The Bahamian entries are among 20 shorts and feature-length films that will be screened this weekend. Johnston told the BDN Maine that he created a hybrid festival to celebrate both coastal regions that share an independent spirit.
He sees the festival as a "cultural exchange program" uniting film heavyweights from the tropics to the rocky coast, it was reported.
Clarence Rolle, Bahamas Film Commission representative who is attending the festival, will participate in a panel discussion and speak about building more opportunities for independent film in the region in partnership with the Bahamas Institute for Motion Pictures.
Award-winning filmmaker Kareem Mortimer's "Passage", about a Haitian brother and sister immigrating to The Bahamas on a wooden ship, will open the festival. "Passage" recently won best short at the FLIFF On-Location: Grand Bahama Film Festival.
Also screening is Bahamian director Lavado Stubbs' music video "I'm Not Through", featuring the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band and the music of U.S. pop band OK!GO!
Bahamian/American filmmaker Marinah Jenello's short experimental film, "Something's Lurking in the Water", will screen as part of the Women in Film short program.
The festival's Opening Night Bahama Beach Party last night was sponsored by the Bahamas Film Commission and featured Bahamian food and drinks.
"It's very special to have these three truly unique and beautiful Bahamian movies play this year," said Johnston. "The Bahamas Film Commission is extraordinarily supportive, and I look forward to working with them on developing more opportunities for independent filmmaking in The Bahamas and bringing international exposure to emerging Bahamian film market."
Special guests and friends of the festival include Sean Robins of Broken Road Productions, a Hollywood production company responsible for multiple blockbuster films; Joe Sumner of Vylcone, a cutting edge smart phone video application for film makers; and Dan Mirvish, founder of the famous Slamdance Film Festival and director of the award winning film "Between Us", which is also screening at the festival. A special Independent Spirit Award in Honor of Dan Mirvish will be given to an emerging filmmaker at the festival awards ceremony.
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