Exclusive: Hollywood glitz, local films and expert advice at BIFF 2013

There will be a distinctly Bermudian flavour to the ‘festival within a festival’ which will be part of this year’s BIFF, the Bermuda Sun can reveal.

We can also reveal the details of the Bermuda International Film Festival’s Hollywood glitz-style parties at Margarita Grill as well its lunchtime chats.

Bermovies

The ‘festival-within-a-festival’, titled Bermovies, takes place on April 13 and will feature eight films that have a connection to the island. All screenings will be shown at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

The day's line-up begins at 1pm with a short film package, “Local Flavours,” featuring: Appetite for Extinction directed by Robert Zuill, which explores the threat of invasive lion fish, and its impact in Bermuda waters; Entry by Sea directed by Kev Lombard about Bermuda's seaglass; Life (Anonymous) directed by Kara Smith and Karli Powell chronicling a day in the life of an urban drug addict; and Osbourne’s Day Out directed by Milton Raposo covering the story of Osbourne the Dusky Shark’s return to ocean after six years living in the North Rock tank at Bermuda Aquarium.

Then at 3:45pm by the international debut of Machsom (also known by its British name, Checkpoint), Bermudian Bayard Outerbridge’s recently completed short film. It tracks the day-to-day life of a 19-year-old Israeli soldier stationed at one of West Bank's most dangerous checkpoints.

The festival’s “From the Onion Patch” will screen the latest offering from local filmmakers, Lucinda Spurling and Andrew Kirkpatrick, In the Hour of Victory, on the big screen.

Spurling’s documentary tells of a tragic love story set during World War II and is pieced together by a family from a stack of old letters. It’s central character is Bermudian-born Major Toby Smith who lost his life in the battle of Overloon in 1944. The film makes its debut at BIFF 2013 with a brand new soundtrack composed by Steve Gallant who was raised in Bermuda.

This year’s Special Presentation at 6:30pm, “Femme: Women Healing the World” is directed by BIFF regular, Emmanuel Itier, and features some of the most important and influential women around the world. Among those interviewed are former Premiers of Bermuda, Dame Jennifer Smith and Dame Pamela Gordon (a long-time supporter of BIFF). Bermudian, Dawn Zuill, is also one of the film's producers.

Glitz

As for the launch party and wrap party think glamour, glitz and Hollywood as you will be rubbing shoulders with visiting film directors, actors and jury members as well as overseas film media and other movers and shakers.

Both parties take place at Margaritas on Bermudiana Road (Friday, April 12 for the launch and Thursday, April 18 for the wrap) from 9pm to late. What’s more there is no cover charge for either event this year.

A BIFF spokeswoman said: “As ever the Bermuda International Film Festival is much more than just great cinema screenings; there will be a real buzz on the island during festival, never more so than on the opening and closing evenings.”

Margaritas is also the location for the official Festival Lounge from 5pm till late weekdays and 10pm till late on Saturday, offering cinema-goers a place to mingle, unwind and talk films. A full bar with drink specials will be available and bites served Monday-Friday, 5-10pm. There will also be a nightly raffle, with a grand draw at the Wrap Party. Prizes include champagne, rum and an evening at Fourways Inn.

Free lunchtime panel discussions

Margaritas will also be the venue for four lunchtime (12.30-1.30pm) panel discussions, which are free for the public to attend. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, April 15, “Start Spreading the News” –Get the inside scoop on impressing and capitalising on the international film media.
• Tuesday, April 16, “Doctor Doc” – Find out from the experts how to make and market a documentary film.
• Wednesday, April 17, “Constructive Criticism” – Explores the changing role of the film critic with the rise of social media and blogging.
• Thursday, April 18, “Short but Sweet” – Visiting short filmmakers share the tricks of their trade.

Restaurant Special Offer

As MEF Group is a sponsor of BIFF 2013, there will be 10% off food and drink at La Trattoria, L'Oriental and Little Venice during festival week. A BIFF ticket must be shown to claim this offer.

Cinema Tickets

Over 50 films will screen at BIFF 2013. Cinema tickets are available from www.ptix.bm or the Box Office at 75 Front Street, courtesy of Freisenbruch Meyer, from April 8-18, open 11am-2pm on weekdays.