Three Bermuda films are among the 29 short films representing 16 countries which have been selected to screen in competition at this year’s Bermuda International Film Festival, which begins on Friday.

The 29 competition shorts are eligible for the ‘M3 Wireless Bermuda Shorts Award’, the winner of which will be selected by the Festival’s short film jury. The winner of the award will receive a $3,000 cash award donated by M3 Wireless.

As BIFF is a qualifying festival for the Short Film Academy Award, the winning film will be short-listed for the 2008 Academy Awards.

“We are delighted to partner with M3 Wireless to make a cash award to a deserving short filmmaker,” Festival director Aideen Ratteray Pryse (pictured) said. “We are all aware how difficult it is for short filmmakers to raise the money for their next film, and this award provides a welcome boost to the director of our winning short film. Now that we are in the second year of offering the ‘M3 Wireless Bermuda Shorts Award’, we have also seen how it has had a positive effect on our ability to attract top films to the festival.”

“As a leading wireless provider on the Island, we are thrilled to team up with one of the Island’s leading arts organisations to help filmmakers achieve their dreams,” Lloyd Fray, CEO of M3 Wireless, said. “We are all looking forward to another great festival, and we are keenly anticipating the wonderful line-up of short films assembled by festival organisers.”

M3 Wireless is also the exclusive provider of cell phones and service to BIFF staff and volunteers during the annual festival.

Aside from the 29 shorts in competition, the Festival will screen six short animated films for children ages three and up in a short film series named ‘A Walk in the Woods’, while a film made by local youngsters in a BIFF Film Academy workshop, ‘Theatre Madness’, will also screen at the Festival.

Details of the above named films are as follows:

Beacons by Vicky Zabriskie: Bermuda/2006/5 minutes/Colour. A warning to all who already hesitate to enter Bermuda’s waters, having seen ‘Jaws’ and heard tales of the Bermuda Triangle. Watch this film at your own risk. You may never swim or sail again! Screenwriter Christian Zabriskie, Director of Photography Christian Zabriskie, Principal Cast Norman Roberts, Marco Santucci.

Little Lise by Benjamin Holmsteen: Denmark/2005/20 minutes/Colour. Poor little Lise. Mommy and Daddy were fighting, and now Mommy is dead and Daddy is being mean. Lise would feel lonely and unhappy if not for her friend, Louise. Louise takes care of everything for Lise. Screenwriter Benjamin Holmsteen, Director of Photography Lars Bonde, Principal Cast Joy Nadia Jensen, Jakob Cedergren, Sonja Richter.

The East Wind>by Kohl Glass: United States/2006/11 minutes/Colour. Storm clouds fill the skies as a classic aerial dogfight is waged between a German pilot known as ‘The East Wind’ and his worthy American opponent. The rules of engagement are clear. The winner cannot be denied. Screenwriter Kohl Glass Director of Photography Travis Cline Principal Cast Patrick Rosier, Alex Schmalz.

Tell It to the Fishes by William Sinclair: Ireland/2006/10 minutes/Colour. When Finn finds himself face down on a beach, beneath the cliffs of Ireland’s rocky coastline, he knows he is in a pickle. What he doesn’t know is how to get his feet out of the concrete block that’s anchoring him to the sand before the tide comes in. Screenwriter William Sinclair Director of Photography Damien Elliott Principal Cast Dylan Moran, Gerard McSorleyB>

Family Reunion<$> by |0xcd|sold Uggad|0xf3|ttir: Iceland/2006/19 minutes/Colour. In her adopted city, New York, Katrina feels free to express herself as a gay woman. Returning to her real home (small, conservative Reykjavik, Iceland) for a family reunion, Katrina is inhibited and unsure of whether to reveal her ‘secret’. She is about to learn that families are full of secrets and surprises! Screenwriter |0xcd|sold Uggad|0xf3|ttir, Director of Photography "skar |0xfe||0xf3|r Axelsson, Principal Cast A|0xf0|albj|0xf6|rg |0xfe||0xf3|ra |0xc1|rnad|0xf3|ttir, Hanna Mar|0xed|a Karlsd|0xf3|ttir, Theod|0xf3|r J|0xfa|l|0xed|usson.

M<$>by Yan England: Canada/2006/17 minutes/Colour. Alexi is a teenager whose entire existence revolves around movies, especially Charlie Chaplin films. He spends countless hours staring at blank pieces of paper, striving to fill them with sketches that convey what’s in his mind. For Alexi, making movies is the only way to transform dreams into reality. Screenwriter Yan England, Director of Photography Claudine Sauve, Principal Cast |0xc9|mile Mailhiot, Bianca Gervais, Linda Roy.

Guide <$>by Bill Plympton: United States/2006/6 minutes/Colour. When one of ‘man’s best friends’ sees a “Wanted Guide Dog” sign in a window, he begs for the opportunity to do the job. He howls with delight when someone wants him. He pants with desire to be the best. He sits, suffering, and so very, very sorry, when all signs point to the fact that he’s barking up the wrong career tree. Screenwriter Bill Plympton, Animator Bill Plympton.

I Want to Be a ot<$> by Diego Quemada-Diez: Kenya-Spain/2006/11 minutes/Colour. Born in Kibera, a section of Nairobi, Kenya that is Africa’s largest slum, 12-year-old Omondi sees planes fly overhead and dreams of becoming a pilot. Omondi dreams of going somewhere far from the ghetto to escape corruption, poverty, disease and death, and to find a land where his dreams can come true. Screenwriter Diego Quemada-Diez Director of Photography Diego Quemada-Diez, Principal Cast Collins Otieno.

Just Visiting by Jeff Stephenson: Canada/2006/8 minutes/Colour. Having driven across the border into the United States, a Canadian family come face to face with a prison work detail and one menacing, bigoted State Trooper. They have run into trouble that could ruin their lives. Screenwriter Jeff Stephenson, Raoul Bhaneja, Director of Photography Jason Tan Principal, Cast Shawn Doyle, Raoul Bhja.

Hairlady<$> by David Birdsell: United States/2006/8 minutes/Colour. Some people are obsessed with hair. Grow it. Cut it. Grow it. Cut it. The Hair Lady adds a new twist, bagging hair and taking it home. What does she do with all of that hair? Screenwriter David Birdsell, Director of Photography Byron Shah, Principal Cast Miriam Escovitz, Oleg Skrashevskiy.

Mumbai Central by Alexander Snelling : England-India/2006/11 minutes/Colour. Approximately 13 million people live in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) on India’s west coast, making it the most populated city in India and, arguably, the world. This documentary provides a glimpse into the lives of Mumbai’s poorest people, many of whom either arrive in the city or escape it via the railway station, Mumbai Central. Screenwriter Alexander Snelling, Kirsty Allison; Director of Photography Alexander Sneng.

The Sickie<$> by Rupert Jones: England/2006/13 minutes/Colour. Most every office has someone like Doug. He’s the detail-oriented guy that co-workers rely on for everything. Even when he takes a sick day, he is plagued by phone calls from the office and reminders of his job. Doug’s co-workers shouldn’t take for granted that he will always be there, but he will. Screenwriter Rupert Jones and Neil Hunter, Director of Photography Anthony Radcliffe, Principal Cast Toby Jones, Dominic McHale, David Hayler, Martin Hyder.

The Story of Bleboy<$> by Sean Ascroft: Australia/2006/6 minutes/Colour. Meet ‘bubble boy’, who is so frightened of the world’s sharp edges that he encases everything, including himself, in bubble wrap. He lives in self-inflicted isolation until circumstances force him to confront the world and himself, teaching him a valuable lesson: If someone bursts your bubble, mix up some more soap! Screenwriter Karl Mather, Director of Photography John Simpson, Principal Cast Andrew Supanz, Nina Pearce.

eam On<$> by Nick Ball: England/2006/5 minutes/Colour. When you’re an aspiring actor and writer, life is hard. The world can seem like a cold, disheartening place, and your own dreams can be pretty disappointing, too, even when David Beckham is in them. Screenwriter Nick Ball, Director of Photography Nick Ball, Principal Cast Nick Ball.

Happirthday<$> 2 You by David Alcade: Spain/2006/14 minutes/Colour. Clara, who has suffered the death of her own child, is a family social welfare worker. She is passionate about what she does, but her unrelenting pursuit of abused children leads her into a dark, horrifying realm. Screenwriter David Alcalde, Hernan Migoya, Director of Photography Rafa Garcia, Principal Cast Laura Dominguez,u Poch.

The Babysitter<$> by Christine Lang: Germany/2005/12 minutes/Colour. This is a cautionary tale. If you’ve ever wondered what the worst is that could happen when a babysitter is in your home, you’re about to find out. Meet Kristina, the babysitter. Screenwriter Christine Lang, Director of Photography Dirk L|0xfc|tter, Principal Cast Julia Schmalbrock, Susanne Sachsse, Diedrich Diederichsen, Teresa Kolbe, Luzie Deter.

The T-Shirt by Hossien Martin Fazeli: Czech Republic/2006/11 minutes/Black & White. Everyone knows that talking about religion or politics can cause tempers to flare. Here’s another bit of advice: In today’s volatile society, wearing T-shirts with slogans proclaiming religious or political views can lead to trouble, too. Screenwriter Hossien Martin Fazeli, Director of Photography Tomá|0x9a| Sabo, Principal Cast Martian Mitá|0x9a|, Andrejvác.

T.O.M.<$> by Tom Brown and Daniel Gray: Wales/2006/3 minutes/Colour. See Tom. Tom is a boy. See Tom wake up, start his day, dress for school, leave the house, remove his sweater, remove his shirt, pants, socks, shoes, underwear. See Tom. Screenwriter Tom Brown and Daniel Gray, Animator Tom Brown and Daniel Gray, Voice Kristy Cromwell.

Calta Calling<$> by André H|0xf6|rmann: Germany-India/2006/16 minutes/Colour. India is one of the world’s fastest growing countries, and among its fastest growing cities is Calcutta (Kolkata) where telephone call centres are flourishing. ‘Calcutta Calling’ looks inside the city’s bright, modern call centre offices and into the lives of the bright, ambitious young men and women who work there. Screenwriter André H|0xf6|rmann, Director of Photography Thomas Bergmann, Featuring Vikeeh Uppal.

Loveproof by Maia Horniak: Australia/2006/15 minutes/Colour. In the late 21st Century, chemical warfare has destroyed most of the world and the population is declining. When Michael, a soldier, takes a bride, Klara, they are able to live in the only good place left on Earth. To remain there, however, they must conceive a child. When they cannot, they are forced to take desperate measures and make life-altering decisions. Screenwriter Maia Horniak, Director of Photography, Carl Robertson, Principal Cast Megan Dorman, Alex Dimitriades, Lewis FitzgeralElaine Lee.

Snow<$> by Dustin Feneley: Australia/2005/15 minutes/Colour. Clean, soft snow blankets the pristine forest where the birds and rabbits nest, and Ben and his father make their home. But pure, white snow can hide dark secrets. Screenwriter Dustin Feneley, Director of Photography Barnaby Norris, Principal Cast Robert Menzies, Rian Barlow.

A PlastToy Dinosaur<$> by Benjamin Stevens: United Kingdom/2006/10 minutes/Colour. Toy dinosaurs, ice cream, flying high on swings, riding on trains — all certain to amuse and delight a child, except a child like Morgan, whose father turns a sunny day in the park into a day of disappointments. Screenwriter Benjamin Stevens, Director of Photography Jamie Goodbrand, Principal Cast Clem Tibber, Dan Mersh, Penny Granycombe, Benjamin Bee.

Thomas in Bloom by Jeff Prugh: United States/2006/14 minutes/Colour. Can you hear life? Young Thomas’s teacher says that memory association enables us, when we’ve heard a sound once, to recognise it again. Thomas agrees, but understands that the most important sounds are those that the ear can’t hear. He listens to life. Screenwriter Jeff Prugh, Director of Photography Emily Topper, Principal Cast CJ Sanders, Ora Blackman, Alexa Alexander, on Thompson.

God’s Gift<$> by Neil Leifer: United States/2006/11 minutes/Colour. People call Gino ‘God’s Gift to Baseball’, and he agrees. He plays for the Bears and the fans love him. Unfortunately, Gino can’t stand the fans, unless they’re good looking women. When a beautiful blonde requests his autograph, he says ‘yes’. When a child asks, his standard answer is ‘no can do’. Gino has said ‘no can do’ one time too often.

Screenwriter Neil Leifer, Director of Photography Peter Franchella, Principal Cast Max Kellerman.

From Days by Quinton Lavery: South Africa/2005/12 minutes/Colour. South Africa’s 10th Annual Freedom Day, celebrating the first post-apartheid election, leaves two young Cape Town couples with their lives destroyed by racism and violence. It’s a day like too many others in the Rainbow Nation. Every day people die. Screenwriter Quinton Lavery, Director of Photography Darren Wertheim, Principal Cast Paul Gardyne, Keenan Arrison, Carla Woorne.

Tanghi<$> Argentini by Guido Thys: Belgium/2006/13 minutes/Colour. Christmastime in the office finds André shopping online for gifts for his colleagues. He is also searching for a tango night, where he can meet Suzanne, a passionate tango dancer he has met on the Internet. Once he finds a tango night, all André needs to do is persuade his colleague, Frans, to teach him to dance and to be there when he meets Suzanne. André is taking all the right steps to ensure that everyone enjoys Christmas. Screenwriter Geert Verbanck, Director of Photography Frank Van Den Eeden, Featuring Wannes Cappelle, Ineke Nien, Hilde Norgg.

My Backyard by Choy Aming: Bermuda/2007/31 minutes/Colour One man. One year. One camera. Biologist Choy Aming explores the diversity of Bermuda’s marine life. Due to a lack of open space on land, the sea is where Bermuda’s diversity lies. The cast includes unusual reef creatures, an old Navy tower, Humpback Whales and a veterinarian who has built his own shark cage. Get up close and personal with the inch-long Flamingo Tongue and the 50-foot Humpback as Choy explores our underwater world.

Screenwriter Choy Aming, Director of Photography Choy Aming, Featuring Neil Burni

First Flight<$> by Cameron Hood and Kyle Jefferson: United States/2006/8 minutes.An uptight businessman teaches a fledgling bird, and himself, how to fly. Screenwriters Cameron Hood, Kyle Jefferson; Editor Marcus Taylor, Music James ley

Jrs Are<$> Trumps<$> by Mandela Fubler: Bermuda/2007/17 minutes/Colour. This a jigsaw puzzle that takes you on a cinematic adventure, with a splash of island life, anchored on the Bermudian-loved game of Euchre.

A group of Bermudian students, along with other card aficionados, share their unique (and in some cases painful) experiences with playing cards. Screenwriter Mandela Fubler, Director of Photography Stephan Johnstone, Principal Cast Mandela Fubler, Javon Zuill, Paul Franks, Mischa Fubler, Nathan Swan.

A Walk in the Woods: United States/2006/51 minutes/Colour. For more than 50 years Weston Woods has been adapting the finest works in children’s literature to brilliant animated short films. Their faithful and fun renditions are frequent recipients of awards from educators and librarians. Each of these films is sumptuously animated and motivating for the ygster in all of us.

Musical Max,<$> a multi-award winner, features a small hippo with big musical talent.

In Trashy Town, Mr. Gilly and his rats take us on a musical journey of cleaning up the city. This American Library Association notable video has a catchy refrain and shows how ry job is important.

Miss Nelson is Back,<$> shows the students of Room 207 that their teacher might be better than they think. Patrick lives in a drab world until he finds a violin. This non-verbal award winner is a feel good film that will make you want to dance.

George won’t bark in Bark, George, but this little pup wants to please his mother. Jules Feiffer’s delightful book comes barking to life with narration by John Lithgow.

Andy Richter is the voiof a garbage truck in I Stink,<$> which not only shows the rambling adventure of trash collection but also teaches us the alphabet. Parents and children of all ages will delight to this Walk in the Ws.

Theatre Madness <$>by BIFF Kids Film Workshop Participants Bermuda/2007/5 minutes. Colour Drama in the theatre. Will the show go on? Assistant Director Christine Lewis, Director of Photography Deken Saunders, Assistant DP Damien Campbell, Gaffer Arisha Butterfield, Sound Harold Beckles Principal Cast Mahogany Bean, Richard Trott, Juliana Franco.

[bul] Tickets to BIFF 2007 (March 16-24) are on sale now at www.biff.bm and at the BIFF Front Room festival box office, No. 6 Passenger Terminal, Front Street, Hamilton. The box office is open daily from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Riding BIFF’s short wave