Bahamas International Film Festival 2026
Born in Nassau, The Bahamas, of a Bahamian, Dutch, Syrian father and an American Indian, Ukrainian, Polish mother, Leslie is the first Bahamian woman to create an international film festival in the Bahamas at a young age.
Leslie Vanderpool is the Founder and Executive Director of the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), which is celebrating 15 years. BIFF is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the local community and international visitors with a diverse panorama of films from around the world. As an executive director for more than fourteen years, she has extensive knowledge in the planning and development of film festivals.
Vanderpool received a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations before going on to pursue her passion for theater and filmmaking, which has consumed her life for the past 25 years. She studied at Lee Strasberg Acting Institute and Shakespeare at Balliol College, Oxford University, Oxford, England, where Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw and many more honed her skills and helped to develop in her a deep love for the art and for sharing it with others.
Vanderpool is an entrepreneur with a strong background in marketing, branding, film production, and sponsorship. She has hosted numerous Golf Tournaments, Film Series, Art Auctions and other artistic events for fundraising and has extensive knowledge in negotiations of contracts nationally and internationally for distribution of films and film festivals.
Vanderpool has raised millions of dollars and has a wide range of networks around the world. She delivers on schedule and on, or under budget. More importantly her attention to detail and quality are evident in the success of the Bahamas International Film Festival for 15 years.
She spends her time advancing the Film industry, while partnering with startups and producing. Vanderpool has created unique cultural experiences throughout The Bahamas, such as Summer Films In The Square and Theater In The Park. She is happy to play a positive role within the country and more widely the Globe.
Leslie has extensive knowledge covering areas of raising funds. She will be working to assist Genoil in business development, and public relations. She has hosted numerous fundraisers for example Golf Tournaments, Film Series and Art Auctions and other artistic events. She has a strong background in marketing, branding, film production, and sponsorship.
Vanderpool has created unique cultural experiences such as Summer Film In The Square and Theater In The Park throughout Nassau, Bahamas. The most rewarding experience has been teaching over 600 students in the art of filmmaking, a program called “Make A Film In A Day.”
Over a period of 6 years Rogers & Cowan has been enlisted as head of PR for the film festival. Vanderpool has a keen eye for quality films and showcased over 700 films from 150 countries http://bintlfilmfest.com/news/press_item/77.
She oversees the volunteer department; organizes first class special events; brings in world leading professionals to conduct Panel Discussions, Master Classes and inviting the worlds top Industry Professionals to be jurors. Vanderpool has invited A List Celebrities for Career and Shining Star Tributes http://bintlfilmfest.com/news/press_item/76.
Leslie has studied acting from a young age having enrolled in Purnell School, a performing arts high school in New Jersey. She has various certificates from Lee Strasberg Acting Institute and a certificate in Shakespeare and stage acting from Balliol College, Oxford University, Oxford, England, where her skills were honed with Alan Rickman, Fiona Shaw and many more.