THE Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF) yesterday welcomed the president of noted production company Tri-Star Pictures to its international advisory board.

Valerie Van Galder was familiar with the Festival, having served as a BIFF juror in 2003. According to BIFF deputy director Duncan Hall, she was invited to assist yet again, general sentiment being that her industry experience would prove an asset to the board and its goals.

"Valerie is well-regarded in the industry, and I am certain that she will make a significant contribution to the development of the festival," said Mr. Hall, who also manages the international advisory board.

"Going forward, we will continue to seek out ideal candidates for our international advisory board. Our goal is to create a diverse panel of film industry experts from both sides of the Atlantic who are committed to enhancing the experience at our festival."

As described by a BIFF spokesperson: "The international advisory board is designed to assist BIFF to increase film industry and film press attendance at the festival, to help attract top-quality independent films, to assist BIFF to build a presence at key international film festivals/markets, and to assist BIFF to attract international sponsors."

Ms Van Galder joins Tom Bernard, co-president and co-founder of Sony Pictures Classics; Victor Loewy, chief executive officer of the Alliance Atlantis Motion Picture Distribution Group, Canada's largest film distribution company; producer Timothy Burrill, a former director of the British Film Commission; and David Poland, editor-in-chief and publisher of MovieCityNews.com and author of the widely read, daily entertainment industry column, 'The Hot Button' on the international advisory board.

The spokesperson, referring to Ms Van Galder's professional achievements, added: "Tri-Star is an autonomous marketing and acquisitions company within Sony Pictures Entertainment. Ms Van Galder was formerly executive vice president of marketing at Sony Screen Gems, where she was responsible for creating marketing campaigns for all Screen Gems releases. Prior to joining Sony, she spent five years at Fox Searchlight Pictures in both publicity and marketing."

The eighth Bermuda International Film Festival will run from March 18 through 24. Tickets will be available online beginning March 2 at www.biff.bm. The festival box office opens March 5 at the BIFF Front Room, No. 1 Passenger Terminal, Front Street, Hamilton.