The five competition categories at BIFF are Spirit of Freedom: Narrative; Spirit of Freedom: Documentary; New Visions; First Look; and Short Film. Special sections include the Youth Film Workshop as well as a World Cinema showcase.

SPIRIT OF FREEDOM: NARRATIVE & DOCUMENTARY

BIFF has held Spirit of Freedom as one of its themed categories since it's very first festival, eight years ago. Each film in this program explores the potential of the human spirit and how freedom affects- or is absent from- our lives.  

NEW VISIONS

Our New Visions competition is a showcase for emerging artists, providing festival audiences with the opportunity to discover the next generation of visionary filmmakers. A Grand Jury Prize will be presented to the New Vision film category.  

FIRST LOOK

Our First Look competition is a showcase for Bahamian Stories, providing festival audiences with the opportunity to view bahamian films. A Grand Jury Cash Prize will be presented to the First Look Short Film and First Look Feature Film Sponsored by RBC Canada.

SHORT FILMS

A short film is 31 minutes or less and often the only place where young filmmakers have the chance to explore story telling through cinema. Film Festivals are one of the few venues where multiple short films can experienced. BIFF is pleased to present one of the most interesting and diverse lineups of short films. A Grand Jury Prize will be presented to the Short film category.