The Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF) will screen two, 40-minute documentaries featuring prominent women as a Special Presentation at its 11th festival, March 28-April 5.

Neil Leifer's documentary, 'Portraits of a Lady', sits in on a session by 25 members of The Painting Group — founded by legendary artists Aaron Shikler and David Levine — who get an opportunity to paint a prominent American figure — Justice Sandra Day O'Connor.

What unfolds over the course of this subtly instructive film is a view of portraiture, not only from the artists themselves, but also from their teachers and the most notable 'model'.

Insight is given on the portraits of some of the most iconic leaders in US history. The ingenuity of the film is to offer us a glimpse of what happens when 25 separate brushes, pieces of charcoal and pencils hit the canvas — to surprising and unpredictable results.

The film will screen with director Sarah Knight's film, 'Hot Flash', which profiles an inspiring group of musicians named Saffire — the Uppity Blues Women. What started off as a necessity for a single mother to make a little extra cash, ignited into a full-time gig for a trio of talented women — Ann Rabson, Gaye Adegbalola and Andra Faye. The film allows us to hear the stories from the women who make up the band, and their network of supporters and fans. They offer a raw, but all too familiar view you can only get from women who have lived¿ really lived — and can sing, shout and laugh about life.

Tickets to BIFF 2008 will go on sale today at 10 a.m. both online at www.biff.bm as well as at the festival's physical box office, Washington Lane, Hamilton.