Editor

The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), announced today the two features that will bookend the Festival as the Opening and Closing Night films. Bahamian filmmaker Kareem Mortimer's acclaimed indie drama CHILDREN OF GOD will raise the curtain at this year's festival as the official Opening Night Film while Lee Daniels' critically lauded drama PRECIOUS starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mariah Carey, Lenny Kravitz, Sherri Shepherd and Paula Patton will bring the week's festivities to an end as the official Closing Night film. The announcement was made today by BIFF Founder and Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool.

This year's Bahamas International Film Festival, now in its 6th edition, takes place December 10-17 on Paradise Island and Nassau. CHILDREN OF GOD will screen at the Atlantis Theatre on Paradise Island on Friday, December 11 at (7:30pm). PRECIOUS will screen on (December 17) at (Galleria JFK) at (7:30pm).

Commented Vanderpool, "It is important to recognize a film such as CHILDREN OF GOD, which was mentored at the BIFF Filmmaker Residency Program two years before, it is truly a discovery. BIFF's Closing Night Film PRECIOUS has been a buzz throughout the year, this highly anticipated film will gain so much excitement amongst the Bahamian and International community upon its release. Some have said, BIFF has come a long way in 5 years, as films with homosexual subject matter or abuse would have been prevented from being shown publicly. BIFF wants to sentise the communities and get these conversations going, I think this is the beauty of the cinematic world, Freedom of Speech. We only wish each film all the successes they both deserve."

CHILDREN OF GOD, originally titled "Daybreak," was shot last summer entirely in the Bahamas in Nassau and Eleuthera. The film is written, directed and produced by Kareem Mortimer, who said, "The film is a subtle and haunting look at race, sexuality and religion in the Bahamas which makes it a very timely and important film and also an extremely gorgeous one to look at. We are very proud of this effort and to open at the Bahamas International Film Festival is a dream come true."

CHILDREN OF GOD is the religious concept that human beings are regarded by God as his children, and is used by Christians to refer to human divinity. It is the story of two individuals who learn that in order to live a truly happy life you have to risk speaking and acting on your true feelings. Set against the backdrop of a nation grappling with violent homophobia, this film tells the story of Jon, a white Bahamian artist who faces losing his scholarship at a local University and Lena a conservative religious woman who is struggling with a crumbling marriage. Both escape city life in Nassau to the island of Eleuthera, where their worlds collide in a fashion that will surprise audiences.

The film stars Van Brown, Johnny Ferro, Mark Ford, Margaret Kemp, Stephen Tyrone Williams and a plethora of Bahamian cast.

PRECIOUS, winner of three awards at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival and the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, is a vibrant, honest and resoundingly hopeful film about the human capacity to grow and overcome. Set in Harlem in 1987, it is the story for Claireece "Precious" Jones (Gabourey Sidibe), a sixteen-year-old African-American girl born into a life no one would want. She begins a journey that will lead her from darkness, pain and powerlessness to light, love and self-determination.

Featuring a standout, breakthrough performance from newcomer Gabourey Sidibe, the film's all star cast includes world famous recording artists Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz as well as Sherri Shepherd ("Sherri" "30 Rock") and Paula Patton ("Hitch" "Swing Vote").

Acclaimed filmmaker Lee Daniels ("Monster's Ball," "Tennessee") directed and produced the film from a screenplay by Geoffrey Fletcher, based on the novel Push by Sapphire. Producing alongside Daniels are Gary Magness and Sarah Sigel-Magness. The film's notable executive producers include Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, Lisa Cortes and Tom Heller.

Lionsgate is releasing PRECIOUS in the U.S.

For additional information please visit http://www.bintlfilmfest.com/