Nassau, Bahamas – November 6, 2008 – The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) announced today that Anna Faris (“House Bunny” “Scary Movie” series, “Lost in Translation”) will be honored with BIFF’s special Rising Star Tribute, presented by offshore bank and trust company Ansbacher (Bahamas) Limited and Chopard. The announcement was made by BIFF Founder & Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool.

The Festival’s Rising Star Award is given to an actor or actress whose noteworthy performances have put them on the path for elite and lasting stardom in the industry. Anna Faris will be on hand for the special Chopard Award tribute presentation on Monday, December 8th at Aura Nightclub at the Atlantis Hotel on Paradise Island.

Commented Vanderpool, “Anna Faris represents everything that is good about Hollywood’s present and future. Through the diverse roles she has taken on early in her career, she has displayed tremendous creativity and a marvelous gift for acting. With a number of hit films to her credit and legions of fans worldwide, including the Bahamas, she is emerging into a league of her own and we are happy to recognize this through our tribute to Anna at this year’s festival.”


Anna Faris most recently starred in the hit film “The House Bunny,” in the leading role of ‘Shelley Darlington,’ a Playboy Bunny who is kicked out of the mansion and tries to adjust to life on the outside. The project was hatched from an original idea by Faris and she collaborated with the writers of “Legally Blonde” on the script. She serves as a producer on the film alongside Happy Madison Productions for Sony Pictures.

Faris will star next spring opposite Seth Rogen in Warner Bros. “Observe and Report” and the Sony animated film “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs” opposite Bill Hader.

Additional upcoming films include Universal’s “Kids in America” opposite Topher Grace,” and the British ensemble comedy, “Frequently Asked Questions About Time Travel” with Simon Pegg.

In 2003, Faris co-starred in the Oscar nominated film “Lost in Translation,” alongside Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson for director Sofia Coppola. The critically acclaimed box-office hit earned Faris rave reviews. Faris’ additional feature films include, “Brokeback Mountain” for director Ang Lee, “Smiley Face” for director Gregg Araki, “Mama’s Boy” opposite Jon Heder, “Just Friends,” “Waiting,” “Scary Movie,” “Scary Movie 2,” “Scary Movie 3,” and “Scary Movie 4”. These films represent Dimension Films’ most successful franchise to date.

On television, Faris is well remembered for her recurring role on the final season of “Friends,” playing a surrogate mother to ‘Monica’ and ‘Chandler’s’ adopted baby.

Entering just its fifth year, the Bahamas International Film Festival has established itself as a marquee international Festival in the Caribbean region, discovering and promoting independent voices and talent from around the world and showcasing a diverse array of international films. The 2008 edition runs Thursday, December 4th through, Thursday, December 11th in Nassau. The Festival invites you to come enjoy Cinema in Paradise!

About the Bahamas International Film Festival:
The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing the local community and International festival goers with a diverse presentation of films from The Bahamas and around the world. In addition to showcasing films that might not otherwise be released theatrically, BIFF provides unique cultural experiences, educational programs, and forums for exploring the past, present & future of cinema. BIFF aims to raise the level of filmmaking, participation and education throughout The Bahamas and the world.

The full BIFF program will be available in print or online at www.bintlfilmfest.com. Tickets can be booked online, over the telephone, or in person at BIFF box offices. Every year the Festival offers advance ticket deals from the date of Box opening to the first day of the Festival.

Ansbacher (Bahamas) Limited – Background
Ansbacher (Bahamas) Limited is one of oldest offshore bank and trust companies in The Bahamas, having been established in 1957. It offers a comprehensive range of services that include private banking, fiduciary services and wealth management tailored to specific client needs.

It was formerly known as Bahamas International Trust Company Limited, ("BITCO"), and was previously owned by a consortium of banks with Barclays Bank as the majority shareholder. BITCO was sold to the Ansbacher Group of Companies in 1989, changing its name to Ansbacher (Bahamas) Limited in 1994.

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