advertisement in one of the United States' most prestigious magazines, the New Yorker.

Organisers are hoping the advert, which will run in the February 12 edition of the highbrow magazine, will lure more of the US arts fraternity to the growing festival.

The Department of Tourism is paying for the advert to help promote the festival, which is now in its fourth year.

Festival director Aideen Ratteray Pryse, said yesterday: "We are pleased the Department of Tourism has included the film festival in its marketing programme for the Island.

"Readers of the New Yorker have a certain demographic make-up that indicates an interest in film.

"We are hopeful that the New Yorker spread will generate interest in travelling to the Island in general, and to the film festival in particular.'' Russell de Moura of Bermuda-based Aardvark Communications designed the first page of the advert and the two pages of `advertorial' about the festival and Bermuda in general.

The festival runs from April 20-26 and is bigger than ever, with nearly 40 films which will screen at the Liberty and Little Theatres.

The festival received more than 300 entries this year -- 130 features and 180 shorts -- from independent film-makers around the world.

This year the festival will have a showcase on North American film, one on European productions, and `world cinema' section. There will also be a series of Irish films.

Film organisers are whittling down the entries and will announce the final line-up shortly.

New York style: Above is a copy of the three page Bermuda International Film Festival MAGAZINE NJ