LOCAL film-makers are being asked to submit their works for next year's tenth Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF), writes Heather Wood.

Applications may be downloaded from BIFF's web site, www.biff.bm. Films that have been commercially released in video format will not be considered.

The deadline for entries is December 1.

"Films may be submitted in tape or DVD formats," a BIFF spokesperson said. "If selected for screening, they must be made available in 35mm format, unless alternative formats are agreed in advance with festival organisers.

"BIFF does not accept films that premiered more than one year before the date of the festival. Works-in-progress are welcome provided the final print is ready by March 1, 2007."

The event is scheduled for March 16 through 24.

The festival was first held in 1997. Since then, 22 films by local film-makers have screened as part of BIFF, part of its mission to "advance the love of independent film from around the world, and create a community welcoming to film-makers and film-goers".