Movie enthusiasts will be able to revel in the artistry of independent films on a monthly basis when a new film series kicks off next month at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

And the initiative will be launched by a repeat screening of the hit comedy, 'Jalla! Jalla!', which made waves at last April's Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF).

According to BIFF director Aideen Ratteray Pryse, the film nights are to "satisfy the appetite" of fans whose interest in watching world cinema was sparked by the yearly festival, which will run next year between April 12 and 18.

"The response to our festival has been overwhelmingly positive and we know from the attendance figures this year that Bermuda has an inquisitive and keen group of film goers who really appreciate the art of independent film," she said.

The series, consisting of sevenfeatures shown once a month until next March, is being organised by Tony Fernandes, who also organised a host of informal discussions with visiting directors of those films that were premiered in Bermuda last year.

He told The Royal Gazette that the series would aim at attracting all segments of the community with films from the Caribbean, Portugal and elsewhere.

"There is an awful amount of stuff out there and we think it's certainly possible to find audiences for them here."

And Mr. Fernandes said the first film 'Jalla! Jalla!', which will be shown on September 20, was chosen to kick the series off because of its huge popularity with Bermudian audiences at BIFF 2001.

"It was shown three times at the last festival and we're still receiving requests from the public that it be shown again."

'Jalla! Jalla!', a raucous comedy set in Sweden,won the Best Feature Award at BIFF 2001 and has been a hit on the world-wide festival circuit as well as being picked up by distributors in 15 countries.

Mr. Fernandes said the film's 20-year-old Lebanese rooted director, Josef Fares was one of the up and coming names on the international film scene.

'Jalla! Jalla!' will be preceded by the short film, 'Cedula Ciudadano', a comedy about the foibles of the highly bureaucratic Venuzualan homeland of director Diego Velasco which won awards at various film festivals around the world and was selected for Oscar consideration.

The series will be launched at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute on September 20, beginning at 7 p.m. and tickets for the screenings, will be $5 for BIFF Film Club members and $8 for non-members, available at the door.

Those interested in joining the Film Club will be able to sign-up on the night of the first showing. Membership is $50 per year for adults and $25 per year for students and senior citizens.

Those attending will also be able to take advantage of a special dinner deal at La Coquille restaurant before the films start.