The 8th Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) awarded the film RESTLESS CITY with the New Visions prize, but the audience voted the Jamaican film BETTER MUS’ COME the Best Film at the now wrapped festival. Restless City, an official selection of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, tells the story of an Africa immigrant surviving on the fringes of New York City where music is his passion, life is a hustle, and falling in love is his greatest risk.

Better Mus’ Come set in 1970’s Jamaica, is a violent film that captures the deep rooted conflict at the heart of Jamaican politics.

MARATHON BOY about the four-year-old boy in India famous for running long distance races and his relationship with his mentor-trainer was awarded the Spirit of Freedom: Documentary award.

BIFF 2011 winners are:

New Visions
RESTLESS CITY (USA) / Director: Andrew Dosunmu

First Look
Best Feature: AMOS (The Bahamas)  / Director: Karen Arthur, Thomas Neuwirth

Best Short: FIVE BONES (The Bahamas) / Director: Tyler Johnston

*Honorable mention to TALL TALE OF AN ACCIDENTAL TOURIST (The Bahamas) / Director: Jason Evans

Spirit of Freedom: Narrative
VIPS (Brazil) / Director: Toniko Melo

*Honorable mention to BETTER MUS’ COME (Jamaica) / Director: Storm Saulter

Spirit of Freedom: Documentary
MARATHON BOY (USA/UK/India) / Director: Gemma Atwal

*Honorable mention to ZERO PERCENT (USA) / Director: Tim Skousen

Short Film
HOMECOMING (USA) / Director: Gursimran Sandhu

2011 BIFF Audience Awards
Best Narrative Feature: BETTER MUS’ COME (Jamaica) / Director: Storm Saulter

Best Documentary: ON THE WINGS OF MEN (USA/The Bahamas) / Director: Calvin Dwight Harris

Winning screenplay in BIFF’s Filmmakers’ Residency Program is Danea Cash’s screenplay MARCH ON.