The Tribune

TWO short films produced by media majors at the College of the Bahamas will be entered into an international film festival in October.

The films, "En Route" and "Last Week Tuesday", tied for first place at COB's second annual Short Film Festival, which was attended by scores of students, faculty and members of the public.

Prior to the debut of the two winning films and four other productions, journalism lecturer and organiser of the event Hugo Zarate told the audience the winning film will be entered into the upcoming Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.

Paola Alvino, head of the media journalism department at the college, spoke to The Tribune outside of the Harry C Moore Library auditorium where the film festival was held last Thursday.

She said: "I thought it was amazing with lots of talent and creativity in the movies, and also really good journalism skills being shown in the documentaries.

"I think they were all winners because each one of them had different things to recommend them, different characteristics. There wasn't a single one that I think didn't deserve to be there and I think the judges have a difficult decision."

She was right. At the festival's conclusion, acclaimed short film maker Kareem Mortimer, Bahamas Film Commissioner Craig Woods and ZNS' senior deputy general manager Kayleaser Isaacs-Deveaux debated which of the films would be chosen.

Last year's COB film festival winner, "Jasmines", placed second among dozens entered in the international event in Florida.

By 6.30pm, it became obvious that the judges were torn between "En Route" and "Last Week Tuesday". In the end, because they could not choose a winner, they gave first prize to both films.

"Last Week Tuesday" and "I Love Life (But Life Has a Girlfriend)", one of the other films in the festival, were produced by Stephen Hanna, a former mass communications turned English major.

"En Route" was produced, directed, and written by Shandia Mackey, Tracey-Ann Perpal, Simba French and The Tribune's very own staff reporter Lamech Johnson.

Ms Perpall, also known as 'TAP' by her many fans, spoke to The Tribune on behalf of the group.

"I was really impressed by all of the films and I definitely feel this is something that can be expanded upon with the support of the college and support from corporate Bahamas," she said.

Speaking about "En Route", she said: "It's 30-minute short film that focuses on life choices, and it takes place on public transportation in the Bahamas.

"It follows the life of a young girl, Alyssa Smith, and she basically represents all of us in a way and how we're constantly faced with choices, hard decisions and opportunities.

"It is basically trying to show that at the end of the day, no matter what you're faced with, you ultimately are the person in control of your final destination and your future."

Giorgio Bain, who played Alyssa Smith in the film, said it was a unique experience for her to be working in front of the camera while focusing on a social topic.

"Things like this are always exciting. As young, upcoming talent, it is always good to depict the social ills that are going on in our country," she said.

Ms Bain said the movie addresses an issue that is "very near and dear" to her heart.

"I hate to hear about children being abused and mistreated. I hope that when Bahamians actually see the movie, they understand, and that it will bring about some kind of change."

The three short-films were not the only productions on display at the festival. Media students at the college decided to improve upon the previous year by adding a documentary category to the competition.

Three documentaries were entered and judged: "Good News", produced by Next5 Productions, the same group that made "Jasmines", beat out "Ya Haitian Self" and "Who Are We" in that category.

In "Good News", Kriston Saunders, Jasper Haeward, Ricardo Wells, Giorgio Bain and Kyle Walkine focused on homelessness in the Bahamas.

The documentary aims to give an insight into how individuals end up on the streets, how they feel about themselves, and presents the testimony of a man who once lived on the streets and who had numerous brushes with death, but now works with Great Commissions Ministries International.

Brittany Armbrister, also apart of Next5 Productions, produced "Who Are We", which addresses questions of Bahamian culture and identity.

"Ya Haitian Self", produced by Adrian Wildegoose, Luval Culmer, Alesha Bethel and The Tribune's Ava Turnquest, aims to give an in-depth look at the discrimination against Haitians and Bahamians of Haitian descent.

Donald Knowles, a well-known fashion photographer in the Bahamas for more than 20 years and one of last year's judges, said he was happy to be present for the festival.

"The quality of the films across the board has gone up from last year. You see, a lot of the things we found issues with, a lot of them have been corrected. It was great overall, I enjoyed it.

"I was impressed with what the students did. I know they don't have unlimited resources or unlimited access to technical equipment, but I think overall everyone did a really good job with what that they had."

A couple visiting from France were also in attendance at the festival.

Alex Girard, a law enforcement officer, said he was particularly drawn to the documentaries.

"The themes that were dealt with offered really good insight into important questions about the Bahamas and Bahamian culture, which a person visiting would have not known about the country and how it works," he said.

His girlfriend, Julie Taris, agreed. Recalling a particular scene in "Ya Haitian Self", Ms Taris said she was shocked that college students would openly express their dislike for persons of other nationalities.

"In France, we don't have people directly discriminating against other people. And even on French campuses that is even not openly done."

All three films and documentaries will be aired on ZNS and Cable Bahamas within the next few weeks.