PRESS RELEASE – THE 2nd Barbados Independent Film Festival, which ran from January 9-14, was a tremendous success exceeding even the expectations of its founders, Sir Trevor Carmichael and Jennifer Smith–Bent. On Sunday evening, BIFF ended with an awards ceremony and a screening of a series of short films on Dover Beach.
In addition to the 35 films shown, they added a cine cuisine event, which was a special segment featuring the work of local Chefs Eddie “Classic” Irani, Mark “Moo” de Gruchy and Rhea Gilkes.
There were 14 awards given out to actors and film-makers, including Alison Hinds, who received the BIFF Award for Artistic Excellence at the start of the Festival.
In the Jury Awards category, the best feature narrative film went to “6 Dynamic Laws for Success”, which was accepted by Gregory Bayne. The best local film-maker award went to “Abiola”. The Carmichael Award for exceptional storytelling was presented to director Michael Mooleedhar for Michael Anthony’s “Green Days by the River” and the Mc Neel Impact Award was given to “Seed: The Untold Story”.
In the Honorary Awards category, the Best Short on the Beach Award went to “Climate Countdown” by Kaia Rose, the Audience Choice Award went to “Concealed” by Lyall Sumner.
“Poetry is an Island–Derek Walcott” by Ida Does won the Sir Trevor Carmichael and Jennifer Smith Founders Award, while the BIFF Wish It Were Longer Short Award went to “Standing Eight” by KazyTauginas.
“See You Yesterday” won the best short film, the best documentary film went to “Chasing Coral” and Best of Festival Award went to “Bad Idea Gone Wrong”. Local film-maker Shakirah Bourne won the Trident Award for Achievement in Film and Danish Lone Scherig won the Lifetime Achievement Award.