Think twice before buying a painting from Mark Landis.

It’s a bit of advice that comes from Art and Craft, an award-winning documentary that screens at the BUEI on Sunday.

Mr Landis has become so talented at forging iconic artworks he’s duped museums and other institutions across the United States into believing his creations are the “real deal”.

Filmmaker Sam Cullman follows Mr Landis in what becomes a “cat-and-mouse” search to expose his antics.

Duncan Hall, the director of the Weekend Film Series, described it as a “thoroughly enjoyable and fascinating glimpse into the life of a legendary art forger”.

“Mark Landis’ impressive body of work spans 30 years, covering a wide range of painting styles and periods that includes 15th century icons, Picasso, and even Walt Disney,” he said.

“And while the copies could fetch impressive sums on the open market, Landis isn’t in it for money.

“Posing as a philanthropic donor, a grieving executor of a family member’s will, and as a Jesuit priest, Landis has given away hundreds of works over the years to a staggering list of institutions across the United States.

“But a tenacious registrar discovers the decades-long ruse and sets out to expose his philanthropic escapades to the art world.”

The film has been shortlisted for a Best Documentary Oscar this year. It will show at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute at 5.15pm.

Also showing Pelican Dreams, a documentary about an iconic seabird species.

Created by Sundance and Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Judy Irving, it follows a California brown pelican on its journey from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.

“Starring ‘Gigi’ (for Golden Gate) and Morro (a backyard pelican with an injured wing), this beautifully photographed nature documentary is an ode to the pelicans’ grace and beauty,” said Mr Hall.

“The film follows Gigi into care at a wildlife rehabilitation facility and from there explores pelicans’ nesting grounds, Pacific coast migration and survival challenges.”

Ms Irving’s last documentary, The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, played to a sold-out audience at BUEI.

The film will screen on at 3pm. Tickets to both films are on sale now at the BUEI gift shop or by calling 294-0204.

Watch the documentary trailers on www.bermudadocs.com.