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Sal de Mar Award

Monday, October 23----The first annual Turks & Caicos International Film Festival (TCIFF) announced its winners on Saturday evening at a gala Closing Night Awards Ceremony, held on the Carribean island nation of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Premier Michael Misick joined with his wife, actress LisaRaye Misick to congratulate the night's winners and honorees.

Michael and LisaRaye Misick

Nearly two hundred guests joined the Premier and First Lady, as well as Festival co-directors Jasmine Guy and Terrence Duckette for the Awards Gala and Closing Night Party, held at the exclusive Palms Resort on the island of Providenciales. The audience included visiting filmmakers, industry professionals, local business and political figures, as well as music artists including hip hop singers Kazi and Lil Kim.

Lil Kim

Jurors determining the prizes included Oscar-nominated actor Robert Forster, international festivals rep Elenora Granata Jenkinson and director Sanaa Hamri.

Robert Forster

Brazilian director Breno Silveira’s TWO SONS OF FRANCISCO was named Best Feature. THE HIP HOP PROJECT, executive produced by Bruce Willis and Queen Latifah, was named Best Documentary. Mark Becker was named Best Director for the film ROMANTICO.

TWO SONS OF FRANCISCO

Other prizes included Best Actor honors to Angeleno Antonio for his role as Francisco in TWO SONS OF FRANCISCO. Best Score was awarded to the jazz film BRASS TACKS. The jury gave a special award for Best Song to the gospel hit WE FALL DOWN by Donnie McClurkin, from the opening night biopic film FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: The Donnie McClurkin Story.

FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT: The Donnie McClurkin Story

Composer John Debney received the first Sal Del Mar Award for his work creating compelling music for such diverse films as the recent rap-meets-swing musical IDLEWILD, the futuristic thriller SIN CITY and the Academy Award nominated THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. Actor/rapper/entrepreneur Tupac Shakur was posthumously honored for his contributions to music and film as a crossover artist.

Tupac Shakur

The Festival, which was devoted to the connection between film and music, received strong support from the local government, as well as local businesses and hoteliers. Premier Michael Misick repeatedly stated that his aim is to grow the event, with the goal of creating a "Cannes of the Caribbean".

Sandy Mandelberger
Festivals Editor