The Bermuda International Film Festival will be adding a music-themed sidebar of films to its line-up when it kicks off at the end of March.

The four films selected to be showcased include a reggae film celebrating the life of Bob Marley, a smashing rock opera by Lou Reed, a documentary on the UK hip-hop scene and another offering a behind-the-scenes look at the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. "Music films have always been popular at BIFF, from 'Festival Express' to the Neil Young documentary and others," said the festival's programming director David O'Beirne. "This year we decided to expand our musical offerings. It is an eclectic selection – there is something there for everyone."

The film four films to be featured are:

Lou Reed's Berlin (d. Julian Schnabel, UK-US, 85 min): Berlin is both rock opera and concert film. This unique genre blends film, art and music to chronicle the downward spiral of drug-addicted couple Caroline and Jim. Lou Reed's Brechtian inspired album 'Berlin', released in 1973, is considered an unknown masterpiece and is one of director Schnabel's favourites. Reed, the former Velvet Underground leader was persuaded to take 'Berlin' live with five performances in December 2006 at Brooklyn's St. Ann's Warehouse. Schnabel filmed these historic performances, and also designed the sets.

South Coast (d. Will Jewell, UK, 89 min): Hip-hop finds a truly original UK voice in the least likely of places – the seaside towns of the South Coast. This three-years-in-the-making character documentary charts the evolution and explosion of a quintessentially British music scene.

Africa Unite (d. Stephanie Black, US, 89 min): Concert tribute, Marley family travelogue and humanitarian documentary, Africa Unite ignites the screen with the spirit of reggae icon Bob Marley in its every frame. In commemoration of Bob's 60th birthday, the film is centred on the Marley's first-ever family trip to Ethiopia in 2005. There, in the capital city of Addis Ababa, three generations of Marleys take part in a 12-hour concert attended by more than 300,000 people from around the world, with the ultimate purpose of inspiring the young generations of Africa to unite for the future of their continent. The film features exuberant on-stage spots as well as a soundtrack brimming with Bob Marley studio classics. Appearances by Ziggy Marley and the Marley Brothers, Rita Marley, Stephen Marley, Julian Marley, Marcia Griffith, Erica Newell, Danny Glover, Angelique Kidjo, Teddy Afro, Bob Andy, Bob Marley's mother Mrs. Booker and Princess Mary, granddaughter of Emperor Haile Selassie, and more.

Five Days in September: The Rebirth of an Orchestra (d. Barbara Willis Sweete, Canada, 78 min): An unexpectedly energetic look behind the scenes at the re-vamped Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) is the experience of this splendid classical music documentary. We follow the charismatic Peter Oundjian, music director (and formerly first violinist with the Tokyo String Quartet) through the first five days of the TSO's season opening in 2004. All the practices, tensions and intimate dealings that are involved with putting on a first-rate show are there to see, hear and feel. Guest soloists are Emanuel Ax, Renee Fleming and Yo-Yo Ma but the star is Oundjian. He has the burden of re-vitalising an orchestra in danger of becoming staid and meaningless, and attracting new and enthusiastic audiences.

¦ BIFF 2008 tickets go on sale on Wednesday, March 19 at 10 a.m. at www.biff.bm, and at the BIFF box office, Washington Lane, Hamilton. BIFF runs from March 28-April 5.