Nassau, Bahamas – The first annual Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) rolls out December 9-12, 2004. Over four days, BIFF will play host to a combination of industry professionals, filmmakers, celebrity guests, visitors and the local community. The Festival will present more than 75 films in a wide range of special sections: an International Competition, a selection of cinema's "New Visions," a World Cinema showcase, a Caribbean Sidebar, insightful Documentaries, Short Films and programming for the whole Family. Screenings will take place at the Atlantis Theater in their Paradise Island resort and the local Galleria Cinema in Nassau. Awards will be presented in the International Competition and New Visions categories by panels of prestigious international jurors. With films and visitors from more than 25 different countries participating in the festivities, The Bahamas International Film Festival will be a true celebration of Cinema in Paradise.

"One of BIFF's main goals is to bring international and art house cinema to the Bahamas, where they currently do not exist," states Festival Executive Director and Founder Leslie Vanderpool. "We are pleased to be presenting diverse voices from so many different parts of the world, and at the same time, identifying The Bahamas as a global cultural destination. We will be offering a tremendous opportunity for visitors to our island and residents alike, including special educational programs for Bahamian youth. We hope this will be the first of many annual events bringing cinema and opportunity to The Bahamas."…