Two major Hollywood films to open and close the festival

New York, NY - The second annual Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) will debut two major Hollywood films. Opening night, December 8, 2005 will feature Jim Jarmusch’s "Broken Flowers”, and the final night of the festival, December 11, 2005, will feature Richard Sheppard’s "The Matador”. The Bahamas International Film Festival will be held at The Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

The opening film, "Broken Flowers”, is a heartfelt story of how perennial bachelor Don Johnston (Bill Murray) confronts his past - and his soul - in his search for the son he never knew he had. The film features other compelling performances by Julie Delpy, Jeffrey Wright, Jessica Lange, Sharon Stone, Frances Conroy and Tilda Swinton.

"Broken Flowers has already been warmly embraced in the U.S.,” says actor Jeffrey Wright of the film he stars in. "I have no doubt that the director Jim Jarmusch will receive the same high acclaim in the Caribbean with its multi-cultural and dynamic characters…Wright adds, "I am looking forward to the same excitement as the inaugural festival had.”

Closing the BIFF will be "The Matador” starring Pierce Brosnan as a hit-man experiencing a mid-life crisis when he realizes he has no friends. Coming in contact with businessman Danny Wright (Greg Kinnear) results in a combined comedic and action-packed thriller.

Other highlights of the BIFF will include world renowned award-winning director, Spike Lee, receiving the Career Achievement Award. This prestigious award honors his innovative style as a result of his major impact on the frontiers of cinematic artistry.

In celebration of Cinema in Paradise, the Second Annual BIFF will present approximately seventy-five films, encompassing international features, shorts, documentaries, animation and panels. The categories for this year’s competition include Spirit of Freedom and New Visions. There will be five panels discussing marketing, distribution, directing/acting, documentary filmmaking and new media.

The Spirit of Freedom competition, which is presented by Versace, will honor one narrative and one documentary whose subject matter touches upon the filmmaker’s personal convictions and journey into the human spirit with ties to themes such as religion, politics and the freedom of expression. The New Visions category, which is presented by Hard Rock Café, will focus on emerging artists who have completed no more than two films, which must be narrative. Films entered into the competition categories will be eligible for a Grand Jury Prize. Other film categories that are non-competitive will include Family Film, World Cinema, Touching Africa Sidebar and a Caribbean Spotlight. BIFF 2005 will also honor accomplished artists with Gala Presentations and Special Tributes.