a major cultural event. Many people were of the opinion that it could and would grow into both an addition to Bermuda's cultural scene and an attraction which would bring visitors to Bermuda and help to entertain those who found themselves in Bermuda during festival time.

In just two years the festival had demonstrated that it could attract viewers and that it could provide worthwhile and varied film fare. It seemed to be well on its way.

There was great admiration for Aideen Ratteray-Pryse and the rest of the hard working committee who were creating a new feature for Bermuda. The Festival had the support and contributions of Bermuda's resident film producer Arthur Rankin, Dr. Stanley Ratteray who has great experience in the Bermuda Festival and the Bermuda Musical and Dramatic Society and of Geoffrey and Fay Elliott who are very knowledgeable supporters and backers of much of the art world in Bermuda.

Then came the resignation of Aideen Ratteray-Pryse and others on the committee and rumours that they were planning to go on their own with another film festival. Film buff Tim Hodgson, the Editor of our sister paper the Mid-Ocean News, agreed to take on Ms Ratteray-Pryse's role as director of the festival.

Now, after choosing films for the next festival, Mr. Hodgson too has resigned from the event which is scheduled for mid-April 1999.

As we see it there are not too many people in Bermuda with the knowledge of film or the inclination to hard volunteer work to take on this tough task. Mr.

Hodgson's leaving could well be a major blow.

We suspect there is more to these resignations than immediately comes forward and that somewhere along the line the problem may come down to money. When Aideen Ratteray-Pryse resigned there was no doubt that she and her committee had wanted a paid director of the film festival to be hired. It appeared that the committee felt that the event was growing so quickly that it required a full time person and that the work had become too much for volunteers who had careers elsewhere.

That often happens to charity organisations which become successful. Today there is hardly a major not-for-profit group in Bermuda without paid coordinators or directors. It becomes impossible to function properly and to grow without them.

It may be that the Film Festival did not have the money or that its board preferred that it grow some more before hiring anyone. We do not know but the fact is that the organisation may now be in danger.

If the film festival were to fall by the wayside after such a strong start it would be a great shame. Bermuda needs more events for locals and visitors alike and it needs the kind of quality the festival was providing.