Editor

The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) announced today that actress/singer Zoe Isabella Kravitz ("X-Men: First Class," "It's Kind of a Funny Story," "Yelling to the Sky"), daughter of legendary American/Bahamian musician Lenny Kravitz and actress Lisa Bonet, will be honored with BIFF's signature Rising Star Tribute. The announcement was made by BIFF Founder & Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool.

The Festival's prestigious Rising Star Award is given to an actor or actress whose noteworthy performances have put them on the path for elite and lasting stardom in the industry. Zoe Isabella Kravitz will be on hand for the special award tribute presentation on Friday, December 2nd at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island.

Commented Vanderpool, "Nobody embodies the spirit of BIFF's Rising Star award more than Zoe Kravitz. A multi-talented performer who excels in film, TV and music, we know the Bahamian community will embrace her and help us celebrate her past, current and, most certainly, future success. As anyone who has seen Zoe's collection of performances can attest, her star is most definitely one on a stratospheric rise."

Kravitz was nominated for two Teen Choice Awards in categories Choice Movie Breakout for a Female and Choice Movie Chemistry for her co-starring role as Angel Salvadore in the hit franchise "X-Men: First Class" (2011), starring January Jones, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender and Kevin Bacon. The film was released on June 3, 2011 and debuted as #1 at the box office. 

Kravitz appeared in her first lead role in the film, "It's Kind of a Funny Story," (2010) as character Nia, based on the novel by Ned Vizzini, co-starring Zack Galifianakis, Lauren Graham and Emma Roberts, in which she was nominated for a Black Reels Awards in the Best Breakthrough Performance category. Kravitz also landed a lead role as Sweetness O'Hara in "Yelling to The Sky," (2011) which tells the story of a girl who has a sometimes-absent father and a present but mentally unstable mother. The film debuted at the Berlin Film Festival and the South by Southwest Film Festival in 2011. The film will also be featured at BIFF, with Kravitz in attendance to introduce the film. The film will be screened at the Galleria JFK on December 2nd and 4th.

Kravitz made her acting debut as character Charlotte in Scott Hicks' "No Reservations" (2007) with Catherine Zeta Jones and Aaron Eckhart.  In the same year, Kravitz appeared as Chloe in "The Brave One" directed by Neil Jordan, starring Jodie Foster and Terrance Howard

In addition, Kravitz has starred in "Beware the Gonzo" (2010) as character Evie Wallace opposite Amy Sedaris, Campbell Scott and Ezra Miller, and as Gabby in the Joel Schumacher film "Twelve" (2010) co-starring Kiefer Sutherland, 50 Cent, Chase Crawford and Emma Roberts.  Zoe just wrapped the lead role in the film "The Boy Who Smells Like Fish" opposite Doug Smith.

Outside of her film endeavors, Kravitz has kept busy with various projects - performing with her band Elevator Fight, where she serves as lead singer and co-writer; being the face of Vera Wang's Princess perfume; and appearing in music videos for artists such as Jay-Z and Will.I.Am's "We Are the Ones" during Obama's campaign. 

BIFF 2011 begins Thursday, December 1st in Nassau and runs through Sunday, December 4th. Additional announcements pertaining to the Festival will be made in the coming weeks.