THE Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF) is calling for entries for its 11th festival of world cinema, which runs from March 28 until April 5 next year. Entry deadline is October 1.

The festival, which is recognised by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival for the Short Film Academy Award, screens some 30 shorts, plus eight documentary features and eight narrative features in competition.

The narrative feature and documentary feature categories are limited to first- and second-time feature directors. The short films competition is open to all directors.

Cash prizes are given to the winner of the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green Award for Best Narrative Feature ($5,000), and the M3 Wireless Bermuda Shorts Award ($3,000). There is also an award for Best Documentary Feature.

The winner of the Bacardi Limited Audience Choice Award receives a $3,000 cash prize. Directors whose films win the awards are invited to Bermuda the following year to sit on the festival jury.

Festival categories also include World Cinema, BIFF Kids (children's films), Midnight Madness, Special Presentations and sidebars focusing on a particular filmmaking country and a particular filmmaker.

Entry forms, which include festival regulations, can be found on the festival web site at www.biff.bm.