An award winning documentary about the ground-breaking investigation of rape within the US Military, will be among the gamut of films on offer during the Bermuda Documentary Film Festival.Twelve unique films will be on screening in the TradeWinds Auditorium at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute, during the four-day festival, from March 14-17.A short film by Bermudian filmmaker Adrian Kawaley-Lathan, called Escape, will also be showing on March 17. The five-minute clip looks at the social costs of drug abuse, including gun crime, traffic accidents and gang warfare, and how those can take a long term toll on the Island’s economy and public well being.The Invisible War, which uncovers one of the America’s most shameful and best-kept secrets of rape within the military, is expected to be one of the more popular options.A winner of the audience award for best US documentary at the Sundance Film Festival, the film focuses on the powerful, emotive stories of rape victims. Festival director Duncan Hall describes it as a “moving chronicle of the women’s struggles to rebuild their lives and fight for justice”.The festival also includes a documentary about five black and Latino teenagers who were wrongfully convicted and jailed for the brutal rape of a white female jogger in New York’s Central Park.Aptly named ‘The Central Park Five’, the film — which screens on March 16 — tells of the horrible crime, how police and media rushed to judgement and how the lives of five young men were changed forever.The documentary ‘Ethel’ paints a highly enjoyable and tender portrait of activist Ethel Kennedy. The devoted and free spirited widow of Robert Kennedy, the film shows Ethel’s political awakening, the life she shared with her husband and the years following his death when she raised their eleven children on her own.It was directed by her youngest daughter Rory Kennedy and features interviews with the 83-year-old matriarch, as well as a treasure trove of home movie clips, personal photographs and stirring archival footage.“This is a warm-hearted and enjoyable glimpse into America’s most captivating political family,” Mr Hall said.‘A River Changes Course’, which won the Grand Jury Prize in the World Documentary category at the Sundance Film Festival, is described as “a cinematically spectacular and sensory portrait” of Cambodians moving from their ancient culture into a globalised economy.With some funny and other heartbreaking moments, the film shows the unprecedented journey from the remote, mountainous jungles and floating cities of the Cambodian countryside to the bustling garment factories of modern Phnom Penh. “It tells a universal story of struggle, survival, love, family and hope,” explained Mr Hall.Also on offer is ‘G-Dog’, the inspirational story about the man behind the largest and most successful gang rehab intervention programme in the United States. The programme, operated by Homeboy Industries, takes in 12,000 gang members each year and provides free job training, tattoo removal, counselling, yoga, substance abuse and parenting classes.‘Sound City’, directed by musician Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters, tells about the legendary Neve analogue mixing console — that helped change the face of rock ‘n’ roll.It takes a look at a small California studio where bands and musicians like Nirvana, Tom Petty, Neil Young and Fleetwood Mac found their magic.‘Magic Camp’ is the story of a magic camp in rural Pennsylvania, where young magic lovers come together every summer to learn how to become professional magicians. It’s the same camp attended by superstars David Copperfield and David Blaine.‘Fire in the Blood’ is an intricate tale of how Western governments and pharmaceutical companies blocked access to low-cost AIDS drugs for countries in Africa and the global south. It also shows the unlikely coalition of people who decided to fight back and ultimately saved millions of lives.‘Koch’ tells the story of the charismatic, hilariously blunt — but never boring — former Mayor of New York, Ed Koch, who ruled the city from 1978-89. It was a down-and-dirty decade of grit, graffiti, near-bankruptcy, and rampant crime — but despite all of which, he was praised for rescuing the city and criticised for his racial insensitivity.‘The Loving Story’ is an inspirational film about Mildred Jeter and Richard Loving, who successfully fought Virginia’s laws against interracial marriage.Telling the story in their own words, the history-making couple make a powerful statement about the quiet, enduring power of love.Acclaimed director Michael Apted’s documentary ‘56 Up’ is the latest instalment of the Up series, which began in 1964. It follows a group of participants, who were first interviewed as seven-year-olds, as the filmmaker has examined the progression of their lives. They are now 56-years-old and assess whether their lives have ultimately been ruled by circumstance or self-determination.To see trailers and synopses of the films, visit www.bermudadocs.com.Starting on Friday, Bermuda Docs tickets can be purchased on www.bdatix.bm or through Sportseller-Washington Mall, Fabulous Fashions-Heron Bay Plaza, or by calling 232-2255.The festival is presented by MINI; sponsors are Stella Artois, BELCO, Bermuda Commercial Bank Limited, the Department of Tourism, CellOne and the Bermuda Council.