A BAHAMIAN is among 21 short story writers selected by an international judging panel to be in the running for a global literature prize.

The writers – 15 women and six men – come from 16 countries, including, for the first time, Tanzania, Zambia, Malaysia, Cyprus, and Barbados. The youngest is 20, the oldest 80.

Deadline: Monday, April 1

The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) is proud to once again invite Bahamian and Resident Artists to create the poster for the 16th annual Bahamas International Film Festival.

As in years past, artists are challenged with capturing the very essence of the festival in a single artwork.

For insight on Poster theme contact leslie@bintlfilmfest.com 

Restrictions and Concessions:

Regulations:

Content must be relative to cinema
Work must be no more than 24x30 inches
BIFF will have full ownership of the Poster
All mediums are accepted
Submissions must include a 350 word bio and head shot of 300 dpi resolution
Entrant Fee: Free

Benefits:

Exposure and promotion on BIFF Website and in the Festival Program
Two (2) All Access Pass to 2019 BIFF
Press coverage on Social Media and BIFF website

Submissions may be sent electronically to leslie@bintlfilmfest.com
Submissions are open until Monday April 1, 2019

About Bahamas International Film Festival:
The Bahamas International Film Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the local community and International visitors with a diverse presentation of films from around the world. In addition to offering films that might not otherwise be released theatrically in the Bahamas, BIFF will provide a unique cultural experience, educational programmes, and forums for exploring the future of cinema. BIFF aims to raise the level of film debate, participation and education in The Bahamas.

At New Year's Day 2019 Junkanoo Parade, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Lanisha Rolle, centre, and artist, Jamaal Rolle, centre right, are proud to exhibit a portrait of the late Bahamian music icon, Ronnie Butler, at popular Junkanoo Parade pivot point, Rawson and Parliament squares. (BIS Photo/Eric Rose)

The ocean-front “Art Retreat Bahamas” caters to those with a love of the arts and desire to hone their skills, learn new ones, and immerse themselves in the creative experience, but with a green ecological approach known as “upcycling.”

“Art Retreat Bahamas” was designed by famous French designer Nelly Biche de Bere to welcome art aficionados from around the world who want to enjoy The Bahamas while practicing in two beautiful ocean view studios.

Nelly’s formula “E3C” focuses on “creativity, confidence, and cohesion” for her three tourism creations, although each one is very different.

Her beach-side dormitory hostel, “Bahasea Backpackers,” offers cheap and cheerful shared accommodations, a million-dollar view on par with Baha Mar, yoga, kayaking, and jet skiing.

Lastly, Nelly’s “E3C” health retreat at “Bahacat,” with 20 cats and two pigs, specializes in fasting, meditation, yoga, massage, and other wellness therapies.

Nelly seeks innovative ways to implement eco-friendly, sustainable development with each of her projects.

The Art Retreat Bahamas “Upcycle Art” series is focused on reusing everyday waste material.

The first class on Saturday October 13 reconstituted shredded paper in a paper-making exercise taught by Keisha Oliver - Bahamian visual artist; University of The Bahamas art lecturer; and founder of the Public Treasury Art Program (PTAP).

“We try to keep the classes as ‘green’ and eco-friendly as possible,” Keisha said, explaining the process of using shredded office paper to make new sheets of paper.

“We blend for a few seconds shredded paper with a small amount of water; pour the pulp into a large tub of water and stir it to raise the pulp to the top; using a framed wire mesh we scoop through the water to trap the pulp, slowly drain the water and let the new piece of paper formed dry out in the sun.”

The resulting paper is characterized by a tough, sun-dried texture and speckled coloring. “The cool thing is the look of the paper varies depending on how you choose to make it,” Keisha said.

“The specks come from the black lettering on the shredded office paper, but if you use paper with different colored ink you get different colors of specks.

And you can vary the thickness of your new paper by altering the consistency of the blend – if you use more shredded paper in the mix, you will get thicker paper in the end, and if you use more water you’ll end up with thinner paper.”

Class participant Erika Espin said, “The papermaking class is loads of fun. Once you make one page you want to do more, until you have enough to just create a little notebook. It’s exciting and relaxing, especially being so close to the ocean. You kind of forget about everything else.”

The paper-making class officially launched “Art Retreat Bahamas”’ “Upcycle Art” series, which will also include painting and sculpture-making classes open to the public. Anyone interested can email contact@artretreatbahamas.com.

Step 1: Shredded paper is blended with water. Class participant Zeke Swain’s blend will later be poured into a tub of water, stirred and strained to form a new sheet.

Almost Done: Once dry or almost dry, the paper is carefully removed from the framed mesh. Zeke meticulously removes his dried paper from the mesh of the basin.

A little extra touch: An iron may be used to help the paper drying process. 

Upcycle Art: Art Retreat Bahamas’ first papermaking class shows off their finished pages. L to R: Hannah Kirk, Keisha Oliver, Erika Espin, Serena Williams, Chantel Botha, and Nelly Biche de Bere. Front and center is Zeke Swain. Email contact@artretreatbahamas.com for more information.