Bermudian filmmakers will soon have the chance to share their celluloid dreams with the world.

Organisers hope the Bermuda International Film Festival will become a launch-pad of world premieres for gifted Islanders.

And this year the creativity of two Bermudians, Will Kempe and former Premier Sir John Swan's daughter, Allison, will be displayed.

Festival general manager Aideen Ratteray Pryse said their work would be featured in the short film category.

"Short films are the starting point for most filmmakers,'' she told the Hamilton Lions Club luncheon at Pier 6 in Front Street.

Mrs. Ratteray Pryse said the festival -- between May 1 and 8 -- would provide Bermudians and visitors the chance to enjoy independent films.

"Independent filmmakers are those who do not have a major studio contract.

"They are the people who have worked hard to put together the financing for the production of their celluloid dream and who strive to bring the story they want to tell to the screen.'' She added the Bermuda festival had started "modestly'' with a 14-feature film programme, including eight shorts.

The films were submitted with the help of the New Producers Alliance in London, Independent Feature Film Market in New York and the Toronto International Film Festival.

They would be screened at the Liberty and Little Theatres, said Mrs. Ratteray Pryse.

"It is envisioned that it will be an annual event which will garner a reputation as a festival that not only appeals to a broad public audience but also gains recognition as a serious, intimate venue for filmmakers to show their creativity, to explain their work, and to illuminate all aspects of film such as screenwriting, musical scores and special effects.'' Mrs. Ratteray Pryse said she was often asked whether the event would be like the internationally-acclaimed festival in Cannes.

"The answer is that it will not be on the grand scale of Cannes but similarities exist in that both locations are prime tourist destinations, so maybe it will be eventually! "Our idea, though, is to develop an annual event whose scale and character are appropriate and identifiable with Bermuda and its people.'' Film Festival springboard From Page 1 Mrs. Ratteray Pryse said the dramatic feature length films to be showcased at the festival included "Village Idiots'' -- a comedy about a TV-obsessed misfit.

There was also a Canadian entry, "The Cockroach That Ate Cincinnati'', which was a send-up of the late '60s culture in Britain.

Mrs. Ratteray Pryse said the festival would offer awards to the best movies.

"All of the films in the programme are entered in the festival competition which has three categories and, therefore, three prizes -- the Jury Prize, Audience Choice Award and the Best Short Film.'' The selection of the winner of the Jury Prize would be made by three people: Jane Alexander, an actress; Tom Shoebridge, president of the Canadian Screen Training Centre in Ottawa; and Tim Hodgson, editor of Mid-Ocean News .

Mrs. Ratteray Pryse said organisers hoped the festival, once established, would promote "all aspects of film and filmmaking''.

"This would include the award of scholarships, exhibitions, bursaries or allowances to people undertaking the study of film, film production or acting; the provision, improvement or maintenance of facilities in Bermuda to further education and understanding of film history and film production; and the promotion of the film festival as a vibrant, enriching cultural event for residents and tourists alike.

"In this regard, we will be discussing vacation packages with the Department of Tourism starting next year.'' BUSINESS BUC