Grand Bahamian Production Team Cleans up Red Carpet Awards

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The production team behind Fate or Fortune, which is comprised entirely of Grand Bahamians, won 10 out of the 12 awards they were nominated for, including Best Overall Production at the Star Film Institute’s Red Carpet Awards at Balmoral Sunday night.

Our News’ Marlena Leonard was one of three screenwriters alongside J’Nya Seymour and Tabitha Richie that won the award for Best Screenwriter in a TV Drama.

Saturday saw the culmination of eight months of work as screenings were held at the University of the Bahamas’ Performance Art Center for the Comedy and Drama categories.

When asked their thoughts on not only receiving credit from Hollywood producers but raving reviews from their fellow Bahamians, the three screenwriters had these responses:

“A major screenwriting goal of mine has always been to get Bahamian folklore on the big screen. So when J’Nya reached out to Tabitha and I with the idea behind Fate or Fortune, I was immediately all in,” Fate or Fortune Screenwriter Marlena Leonard said.

“This weekend’s screening was my first time seeing the finished product, and to be able to turn and look to J’Nya and Tabitha as writers and know we did our job after hearing the screams and cheers from the audience, was a dream come true. As for our Best Screenwriting in a TV Drama win, it’s an honor. It means the world to me that international professionals saw the magic in our story. I’m forever grateful to J’Nya for bringing me on and to the cast and crew who brought Fate or Fortune to life.”

Fate or Fortune Producer & Screenwriter, J’Nya Seymour said it feels amazing.

“To have the faces behind these amazing films in Hollywood go out of their way to speak to you and tell you how much they enjoyed your project is amazing. I took a chance on myself and it paid off,” Seymour said.

“I found something I’m good at and actually passionate about and others feel the same; and not just from my country. My heart is full and I’m grateful to everyone for their support and especially to Kerel Pinder and the Star Film Institute for opening this door for me and my cast and crew (the best crew in The Bahamas).”

Fate or Fortune Screenwriter Tabitha Richie also said it was an honor to be selected by professionals in the industry.

“They know what a good story is made of and so for them to recognise the quality in what we put together was extremely validating,” Richie said.

“As far as the audiences reaction, we were blown away. To be able to elicit such a strong reaction from a Bahamian crowd is a feat in itself and so i’m just thankful that the judges and the audience saw the vision and loved the execution.”