Bahamas International Film Festival Dailies

The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) is proud to announce today that Tatiana Donaldson has joined Founder Leslie Vanderpool as the Co-Executive Director.  Donaldson and Vanderpool will share roles in Sponsorship, Programming, Marketing & Event Planning. “There is no better person to join BIFF, together we will work effectively to advance the Bahamas International Film Festival,” Vanderpool said. 

About Tatiana Donaldson

Tatiana B. Donaldson is very excited to have been named Co-Executive Director of The Bahamas International Film Festival. Ms. Donaldson is currently entering her fourth and final year at Columbia University in New York City, where she is studying Political Science and Theatre. Throughout her college career, she has held numerous leadership roles such as a Resident Assistant, as well as Captain and President of the Columbia Women's Ice Hockey Team. She is also a proud, and extremely active member of the Delta Gamma sorority. Outside of the classroom she has bridged her love for the arts through her extracurricular activities, by participating in the Columbia University Glee Club, as well numerous acting appearances in both plays and small films. Tatiana has been acting, performing, and playing the violin as well as the guitar since her early childhood. Her commitment to the arts and film stems from her passion for civics and inclusivity, as well as the belief that film is a powerful medium that can create conversation and change around prevalent socio-political issues. Ms. Donaldson hopes that BIFF will be an amazing avenue to continue learning and growing not only as an actor, but also as a director and producer. 

Additionally, Ms. Donaldson is actively involved with, and has held the position of Marketing and Development Intern at The Eric Trump Foundation, a nonprofit that raises money for children at St. Jude Children’s hospital. This summer, in addition to her responsibilities with BIFF, Ms. Donaldson will be interning at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., where she will be learning and gaining experience with U.S. Public Policy. Tatiana Donaldson is the daughter of the late Mr. Timothy Baswell Donaldson, and Mrs. Yolande P. Donaldson. 

About Leslie Vanderpool

Leslie Vanderpool is the Founder and Executive Director of Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF). For over a decade, she has had extensive knowledge in the planning and development of film festivals. Vanderpool received a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations before going on to pursue her passion for theater & filmmaking. She studied at Lee Strasberg Acting Institute & Shakespeare at Balliol College, Oxford University, Oxford, England, where Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw and many more honed her skills.

In 2004, Vanderpool created BIFF, which has showcased more than 1000 films from 150 countries. Many of the films subsequently have won Academy Awards. She has paid tribute to A-List Celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Debra Messing, Danny Glover, Nicholas Cage, Laurence Fishburne, Heather Graham, Alan Arkin, Sean Connery, Roger Corman, Daryl Hannah, Sophie Okonedo, Anna Faris, Naomie Harris, Zoe Kravitz, Sydney T. Poitier, Chaz Ebert, Cicely Tyson and many more. She has been innovative in taking filmmaking into schools where she has taught all aspects of filmmaking. Vanderpool has created unique cultural experiences such as ‘Summer Films In The Square’ and ‘Theater In The Park.’

Vanderpool is an entrepreneur with a strong background in marketing, branding, film production and sponsorship. She has raised millions of dollars & has a wide range of networks around the world. She spends her time between California and The Bahamas to advance the film industry while partnering with startups and established film production companies.

About the Bahamas International Film Festival:

Entering in its thirteenth year, the Bahamas International Film Festival established itself as a marquee international film festival in the Caribbean region, discovering and promoting independent voices and talent from The Bahamas and around the world, showcasing diverse international films. In addition to showcasing films that might not otherwise be released theatrically, BIFF provides unique cultural experiences, educational programs and forums for exploring the past, present and future of cinema. BIFF aims to raise the level of filmmaking, participation and education throughout The Bahamas and the world. www.bintlfilmfest.com.