from around the globe.

BIFF's director of public relations Kendaree Burgess-Fairn said this was more than double the number of video submissions received at this time last year.

"Festival organisers attribute the increased numbers to their overseas marketing and public relations efforts. Such efforts include the recent visit by BIFF directors to the Independent Feature Film Market in New York City.'' The films are from the Republic of Macedonia, UK, USA and Brazil and include three world premieres.

BIFF director Aideen Ratteray-Pryse said: "The response has been very encouraging. Judging by what has already been received, BIFF will again be able to offer a variety of high quality independent films.'' The official deadline for film submissions is January 31, 1998, with the festival scheduled to begin May 1.

The Bermuda Telephone Company Ltd. and Entertainment Weekly return as primary sponsors and eight local companies have signed on as film sponsors.

They are ACE Ltd., Appleby, Spurling & Kempe, Burrows Lightbourn, Elbow Beach Hotel, Gibbons Financial Services, The Bank of Bermuda, The Bermuda Department of Tourism and Logic Communications.