Swimming pigs take Charleston, Fort Lauderale by storm

Exuma’s swimming pigs, the international sensation attracting tourists from around the globe, just hit two more cities on its North American film fest circuit: the Fort Lauderdale Film Festival and the Charleston Film Festival.

‘When Pigs Swim’, produced by Peter Nicholson and Tyrone Munroe at GIV Bahamas Inc., and directed by Charlie Smith, was the talk on the town in early November ahead of its screening in Charleston. The film received a special mention in the Charleston City Paper (http://www.charlestoncitypaper.com/charleston/the-short-films-shine-at-this-years-charleston-international-film-festival/Content?oid=5559972) and Smith even appeared on the evening news to promote the pigs, Exuma and Grand Isle Resort & Spa.

“Everywhere I go, people are just fascinated by these pigs,” said Smith, who has attended five film festivals since its release one year ago.

“Everyone just loves them. I think they capture the imagination, and in today’s serious world, they remind us how great it is to laugh. These pigs are the perfect ambassadors for Exuma and to be honest the more people I talk to, the more people have already heard of them. They just want to learn more.”

when pigs swim marquee
A couple weeks later, ‘When Pigs Swim’ was on the road again, this time in Fort Lauderdale, where Penelope the Pig, a “cousin” to Exuma’s swimming pigs, strutted her stuff on the red carpet at the Cinema Paradiso. This screening was also attended by members of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. Since the film’s release, the Bahamas has embraced Exuma’s swimming pigs, to the point where it has become a symbol of tourism for the entire island.

The night in Fort Lauderdale was finished off with a traditional Junkanoo Rush that swept everyone away to a great party under the stars, with Sands Bahamian beer and ever traditional conch fritters.

“Everyone who realized that I was the director of ‘When Pigs Swim’ always have a big smile on their face and say they really want to see that documentary,” Smith added. “They all can’t believe that these pigs really swim. They are always genuinely interested in the pigs and about how they got there and if they are the only swimming pigs in the world. And of course all the ‘ohhh’ and ‘aaahhh’ over the beauty of the water and beaches of Exuma, Bahamas.”

‘When Pigs Swim’ has a new home! Visit whenpigsswimexuma.com to see a preview of the film and check out all things swimming pigs in Exuma, your official home for this growing international phenomenon.