Freeport, Grand Bahama Island - Organizers of FLIFF on Location: Grand Bahama Island are pleased to announce the Blue Ribbon Panel selection for the High School Category for Bahamian films. Sunland Baptist Academy's grade 12 submission of "The Blame" has been chosen as this year's best student film.

The Blame was directed by Tiahjah Smith and is the story of the troubled life of high school student, Tiahjah and it will screen at the Opening Ceremony at Taino Beach on Thursday, October 25th (7pm) as well as on Saturday, October 27th when all the Bahamian films will be shown at the Canal House at Pelican Bay Hotel, the festival's host site.

FLIFF High School Winners

Synopsis - "To say that Tiahjah's life is hard would be an understatement. All teenagers should be vibrant, peppy and most of all having the time of their life with little things to worry about. However, not all are that privileged. She has been dealt the shorthand of the stick and it's reaching its boiling point. Whether it be problematic parents and torturous schoolmates Tiahjah has nowhere to turn. Can she be saved before its to late? Who is to blame? Watch and find out as your emotions are captivated and taken down an unfortunate path of an underprivileged girl trying to find her way in society."

Actors for "The Blame" include, Patrice Johnson, Tawari Rodgers, Mia Rolle, Marsha Stubbs, Orenthal New Church, Tiahjah Smith, Delon Edgecombe, Theronique Cooper, Lanelle Curry, Georgina Moss, and D'Arj Laing. The production team offered special thanks to Prescott Knowles and their videographer / editor, Quincy Jones.

Submissions were accepted earlier this year in the high school, college and open categories and the following Bahamian films will also be screened on October 27th: In the Student Category: Teenage Pregnancy (Sunland Baptist), directed by Barea Fynes / Notori Moxey / Gerogina Moss / Huelea Solomon.

In the College Category: I Love Life: But Life Has a Boyfriend (College of The Bahamas 'COB'), directed by Stephen Hanna; Who Are We? (COB), directed by Brittney Armbrister; Blended (Hampshire College), directed by Marinah Janello; Last Week Tuesday: Proper Treatment on Depression (COB), directed by Stephen Hanna; En Route (COB), directed by Tracey Ann Perpall / Shandia Mackey; Good News (COB), directed by Ricardo Wells / Kriston Saunders.

In the Open Category: Tony the Shotta directed by Marcus Bailey; The Price of Being a Man, directed by Edmund S. Moxey; Thriving Encounter, directed by Bishop Godfrey Williams; 5 Bones, directed by Tyler Johnson.

The Open and College category winners will be announced October 28th at the closing ceremony. Hosted at the Canal House, Pelican Bay Hotel, ‘FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama Island will feature international and local films, outdoor screenings of Sammy 2: , presentation of a Career Achievement Award to Giancarlo Esposito, filmmakers workshop, "Stories That Matter" with Ian Strachan; location scouting for international filmmakers, and a wrap party / awards presentation at the Grand Lucayan Resort.

FLIFF On Location: Grand Bahama Island is a collaboration between the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board. The event has been made possible through the generous support of the following sponsors: Pelican Bay Hotel; TheBahamasWeekly.com; Mackey Media Ltd; Bahamas Celebration Cruises; Bahamasair; Balearia Bahamas Express; Grand Bahama Port Authority and Group of Companies; Grand Bahama Island Tourism Board; FLIFF; Ministry of Tourism and SkyBahamas Airlines. All festival information can be found on TheBahamasWeekly.com. Get your tickets at Pelican Bay Hotel, and the Ministry of Tourism.