The Bermuda International Film Festival moved this week to invite entries from Bermudian and Bermuda-based filmmakers for the fourth edition of the festival, which will be held between April 20 and 26 of next year.

"We encourage more Bermudian, as well as locally-based filmmakers, to submit their work,'' said festival director Aideen Ratteray Pryse.

"We know there is a lot of artistic talent in Bermuda, and we will always promote and encourage that talent where possible.'' The festival attracted entries in the Bermuda Shorts category from local filmmakers Christine Barker and Andrew Green. Ms Barker's short film Allure and Mr. Green's short White Caps were selected for screening this year.

In 1998, Bill Madden's short film WorldWatch was selected for screening and Bermudian Alison Swan's feature length film Mixing Nia was the Entertainment Weekly Audience Choice Award Winner in 1998.

It went on to become a fixture on the international film festival circuit and won awards in Houston, Acapulco and Huntington Beach. It was also screened at festivals in Toronto, Cleveland, Maryland, St. Louis, Hudson Valley and Oldenberg in Germany.

Ms Ratteray Pryse said: "Alison Swan's film was very well-received in Bermuda and was a favourite on the film festival circuit throughout North America.

"And the short films we have screened have shown that local filmmakers have the talent and training to produce films for screening at our festival.'' The deadline for entries at the upcoming event is January 1. Entry forms can be obtained from the festival's website www.bermudafilmfest.com. Films may be submitted in tape form in NTSC, PAL, SECAM formats.

Films selected for screening must be made available in either 16 millimetre or 35 millimetre format, unless alternative formats are agreed in advance with festival organisers.

Films completed more than two years before the date of the festival will not be accepted as will films that have been commercially released in video format.