by Angela Betancourt
“When Pigs Swim”, a 15-minute documentary short that explores the history behind Exuma, Bahama’s famous swimming pigs, has won the “Haven” Oscar for best short documentary at the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF).
The documentary was produced by Tyrone Munroe and Peter Nicholson, the principals of GIV Bahamas Inc. and showcases the much celebrated swimming pigs that live in this uninhabited island. They call it one of the world’s most amusing accidents and dedicated this film to them and to the people of Exuma.
Charlie Smith, the Director of “When Pigs Swim”, said it was humbling to receive recognition back home in the Bahamas, as Exuma’s swimming pigs continue to make waves across North America.
“This [Bahamas] is where it all started. This is where the pigs are from, and we had our world premiere at BIFF back in December,” Smith explained. “Now we’re excited to keep on pushing to new markets.”
Since it’s screening at BIFF, the film has grown in popularity at other festivals while casting a spotlight on Exuma and the Bahamian tourism industry at large. It was recently a big hit at the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles and was popular at Miami’s Widescreen Film & Music Video Festival, organized by Nassau native Jarrod Knowles.
For years, Exuma’s swimming pigs have been featured in magazines, newspapers, music videos and countless social media accounts around the world. It’s captured the imagination of travelers around the world and is at the heart of the documentaries success.
“I wish I could say people came out to see me, but we all know the swimming pigs are the real stars,” Smith added. “There is just something about these pigs that connects with people.”
“When Pigs Swim” is slated to appear in a few more film festivals in 2015, and may even make it over to Europe.