Festival Founder and Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool today announced the final program details for the 6th edition of the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), which takes place December 10-17, 2009. This year, the Festival will showcase 68 films from 26 countries, including 38 features of which several are world or international premieres and nearly all Bahamian premieres. The four competition categories at BIFF are Spirit of Freedom: Narrative; Spirit of Freedom: Documentary; New Visions; and Short Film. Special sections include a Caribbean Sidebar, World Cinema showcase, Hispanic Cinema Spotlight and special screenings.

Commented Vanderpool, “The 6th Bahamas International Film Festival delivers a wide assortment of films from around the world that will no doubt entertain and enliven the island for the week. For anyone who shares a sincere appreciation for independent films of the highest quality, this festival will be a special experience. There is something every member of the Bahamian community can enjoy and we encourage everyone to see as many of these films as they can. We’re excited to have an extraordinary group of filmmakers here supporting their films and taking part in Festival events.”

Among the films screening at BIFF this year are the drama SKIN starring Sophie Okonedo, BIFF’s Rising Star, from Director Anthony Fabian; Steven Soderbergh’s THE GIRLFRIEND EXPERIENCE starring Sasha Grey and Chris Santos; Joshua Goldin’s dark comedy WONDERFUL WORLD starring Matthew Broderick, the comedy BAGDHAD TEXAS from David H. Hickey, Mexican action/drama SIN NOMBRE and acclaimed documentaries SWEET CRUDE and HOUSE OF NUMBERS, to name a few.

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, Monique, Sherri Shepherd and Paula Patton will bring the week’s festivities to an end as the official Closing Night film.

The stars will be shining brighter than ever at this year’s BIFF. Festival Patron Sir Sean Connery will again be lending his full support throughout the week. On Wednesday, December 16th, Academy Award® nominee Sophie Okonedo (“Hotel Rwanda,” “Skin,”) will be feted with the Festival’s special Rising Star tribute. Festival goers will also want to keep an eye out for rock icon Lenny Kravitz, celebrated filmmaker Lee Daniels and a host of Hollywood talent in town to celebrate cinema in paradise!

The full BIFF program is available in print or online at www.bintlfilmfest.com. Booking for the 2009 Festival is now open. Tickets can be purchased online, over the telephone, or in person at BIFF box offices. Every year the Festival offers advance ticket deals from the date of Box opening to the first day of the Festival.