Nationwide… Goombay Kids the Bahamas-produced children’s show creating an international buzz with 5 international awards under it's belt now including winning at the Cannes World Film Festival Award for Best Web/TV Series and Stephanie K. Nihon, who created the show, also won the Best Producer award.
The wins come on the heels of Leah Eneas winning Best Actress for her character Mama DLo in the Multi Dimension Film Festival (UK) as well as best TV Pilot.
“Congratulations to the incredible writers, director, producers, crew and cast whose whole past summer was dedicated to making this last season of Goombay Kids a reality,” said Nihon. “We couldn’t have done it without the dedication and support from REV Cable Bahamas, The MoVi Group, The Valleyboys Junkanoo Group, The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s Cultural Grant and LFD Productions.”
The groundbreaking educational show was created by Nihon who was ecstatic to share the news. The show features stunning Bahamian locations as well as presenting Atlantis, The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas, the Pirate Museum, all the Bahamian islands and even Junkanoo to the world.
Executive producer of Goombay Kids is Rowena Poitier-Sutherland, niece of legendary Bahamian-American actor Sir Sidney Poitier. She is also the force behind the leading film and acting school in the Caribbean, Bahamas Artist Movement and the former Executive Director of Ministry of Culture. Serving as senior producer is Leslie Ellis-Tynes known for being the star and producer of the hit Bahamian talk show The Stew.
“The very talented all Bahamian cast and crew made this vision come to life and I am absolutely thrilled that they have been rewarded internationally for their hard work and dedication,” said Nihon. “It is a great honor to be awarded Best TV Series and Best Producer by the Cannes World Film Festival who regularly awards well know faces through its prestigious award event.”
Nihon continues to provide opportunities for creatives, using a local castand crew including the three stars of the show, child actor Javien Rankine (Netflix’s Mighty Express), Ravyn White and Keara Jones all with CMM Talent Agency in The Bahamas as well as actress Leah Eneas (Beneath The Blue, Miracle at St. Anna), and director/filmmaker Lanthro Munroe (Coco Studios, Tyler Perry Studios). The Movi Group (Orbitz, Miss Universe, HGTV, Atlantis) worked along with Goombay Kids, to provide crew, equipment and editors.
“It's going to sound cliché but it feels surreal and I still can't believe it,” said Eneas. “I didn't even know I had been entered in the category at so many film festivals to begin with, so it was a huge surprise. I feel ‘legit’ now, even though I literally have a degree in performance.”
Eneas graduated Fisk University, where she pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dramatics and Speech/Dance and Communications. Her character on Goombay Kids has been compared to Queen Quet of the Gullah Geechee people and Yemaya, a west African deity of motherhood and the ocean.
“This character felt very natural for me to play. Mama DLo sings, crochets and tells stories just like I do,” said Eneas. “She protects the children along with protecting the legends and stories of the African diaspora in The Bahamas and The Caribbean. I feel that as the actress playing her, I am passing on the legacy and the stories to all the future Bahamian children in the arts. She is very important to me and my development as a performer.”
For more information and auditions for the next season, visit @goombaykids on Facebook or Instagram.
