Schoolchildren will continue to “broaden their horizons” through Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF) Kids programmes. According to BIFF director Aideen Ratteray Pryse children from pre-school up to middle school have benefited from BIFF Kids, an initiative sponsored by Butterfield Bank since 2004.

Butterfield Bank has agreed to sponsor the children’s film festival for another two years, and by the end of that tenure, they will have given $227,500 to BIFF. Last year the children’s festival featured 55 films from 16 countries, including 22 films made by Bermuda-based youngsters in Summer Film Production Camps also sponsored by the bank.

According to Ms Ratteray-Pryse the focus is not only on bringing high quality films to children, but also on educating them. The programme has worked in both the public and private schools. “(Students) really have an opportunity to glimpse the world through film — that’s one of the reasons that we started both film festivals,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity for children in Bermuda to see the world outside, to feel it, to experience it and hopefully develop some critical thinking powers — to say ‘how can we change it’, ‘how can we help’.”

While younger children are shown films with a “moral to the story”, older school children are shown documentaries focusing on social issues, including a film called ‘China Blue’ outlining the effects of globalisation.

According to Ms Ratteray-Pryse, there has been a great turn out, particularly for the school screenings. “They enjoy them very much — that is the feedback we get from the students and the teachers and we are really happy about that,” she said. She thanked Butterfield Bank for their continued support.

“With the full backing of Butterfield Bank, the youth programmes of the Bermuda International Film Festival can be brought to fruition. We are most grateful for their generous support.”

President and CEO of Butterfield Bank Alan Thompson said he was proud to continue helping with the initiative.

“Butterfield Bank is proud to have been a contributor to the Bermuda International Film Festival since 2001. But we are made even prouder by our decision to come in for another two years as BIFF Kids Presenting Partner, as well as continuing to support BIFF until 2008. “This kind of giving is part of a focus on community that is at the heart of Butterfield Bank’s culture.”

The BIFF Kids Film Festival will take place from October 13 to 15.