A lovely white beach on the Providenciales Island was the glorious backdrop to the Third Annual Turks & Caicos International Film Festival, held from October 16-21.
The festival, boasted for celebrating the fusion of films and music, gave celebrities and other guests a wonderful opportunity to lounge beachside on the Caribbean while they enjoyed screenings of classic, music-driven films as well as new international ones.Jury members for the film festival included Producer & Programmer for the Venice Film Festival Eleonora Granata-Jenkinson, Award winning filmmaker Tambre Leighn and President of the Academy Foundation Cheryl Boone Isaacs.
Celebrities who attended included Chris Tucker, Amanda Bynes, Michael Clarke Duncan, Nikki Blonsky, Gabrielle Union, Shaun Robinson, John Singleton, Kimberly Elise, Essence Atkins, Glynn Turman, Julio Caro, Dan Guerrero, Richard Kraft, Carolyn McDonald, Sonya “Sonny” Tormoen,
Executive Directors Terrence Duckette and Jasmine Guy, as well as Premier Michael Misick and First Lady LisaRaye Misick.
Besides enjoying the wonderful films, which were screened throughout the week, guests were able to take part in other events as well, including a Film Finance Panel on October 18th, sponsored by Our Stores Films, and Music in Cinema Panel on October 19th.
The 19th also was a day in which high school students were invited and encouraged to join in the festivities, with First Lady LisaRaye McCoy Misick hosting a Youth Arts Day. The kids received valuable information from Amandy Bynes, Michael Clarke Duncan, John Singleton and Executive Director Jasmine Guy, who all gave their own personal take on their experiences in world of entertainment.
Damon Cooper provided some evening entertainment, revving up the crowd with his concert, while other activities included Soirees at the Somerset.
The TCIFF Footprints in the Sand at the Alexandra Resort was also inaugurated during the exciting week. The sandbox will be available for all to see, being displayed on the beach in honor of this event, with Amanda Bynes, Nikki Blonsky, the First Lady, Michael Clarke Duncan, Jasmine Guy, Shaun Robinson and Kimberly Elise among those who left their mark.
On October 20th, Shaun Robinson had the honor of hosting the Sal Del Mar Award Presentation, which paid tribute to Amanda Bynes who received a Rising Star Award. 
Gabrielle Union presented Mos Def with the Tour de Force Award, Nikki Blonsky presented Marc Shaiman with the Composer’s Excellence Award, while Mani Ratman receieved the Director’s Excellence Award.
A screening of a package of short films, “Shorts on the Beach,” helped to close out the festival on Sunday, October 21st.
For more information on the festival or to see a complete list of events and screenings, visit www.tciff.com.
