'Afghan Star', screening at the Bermuda Docs Film Festival on Saturday, November 28, has been nominated for the top annual prize awarded by the International Documentary Association.

The IDA has nominated the film for Distinguished Documentary Achievement in the feature category.

The awards will be announced on December 4 at a ceremony at the Director's Guild in Los Angeles.

The film is already a multiple prizewinner, claiming both Audience Choice and Directing Awards in the World Cinema Documentary category at this year's Sundance Film Festival. It is also the United Kingdom's nominee in the Foreign Language Film category for the 2010 Academy Awards.

'Afghan Star' tells the story of two brave women, and two men, who compete for the top prize in Afghanistan's version of American Idol.

"The film is extraordinary," says Duncan Hall, director of Bermuda Docs. "Poignant and powerful, the film shows the incredible bravery of the participants, particularly the two women who risk everything for their art.

They are seeking the freedom to express themselves in a country where women are expected to occupy traditional roles.

They are inspiring and absolutely fearless in the face of pressure to conform."

A trailer of the film can be seen on the Facebook page of Bermuda Docs.

Bermuda Docs, sponsored by Mini, will be held Saturday, November 28 in the Tradewinds Auditorium at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

Screenings begin at 11 a.m. and continue throughout the day with the final screening beginning at 9 p.m.

Tickets, $15, are on sale now online at www.bdatix.bm, in person at the iStore, 46 Reid Street, Hamilton, and at Fabulous Fashions (formerly Picture Perfect), Heron Bay Plaza, Southampton, or by telephone (232-2255).