Hollywood superstar Samuel L. Jackson could be the main attraction at Bermuda's first International Film Festival, it was revealed yesterday.

For the first of the annual events has been planned to coincide with Mr.

Jackson's star-studded charity golf tournament -- and Film Festival organisers hope he will get into the swing of things at the festival as well.

The news came as the bid to bring the best of the silver screen to Bermuda was launched at the Elbow Beach Hotel -- one of the main sponsors of the event.

Andrew Vaucrosson, marketing manager for the Film Festival, said: "The fact that Mr. Jackson will be staying here at the hotel, there is a high percentage that it will happen.'' He added that it was difficult to get firm commitments from stars, but that he hoped Mr. Jackson would agree to add some glitter to the festival.

And Mr. Vaucrosson said: "We hope the Golf Classic is going to create a feeling of celebrities and movies.

"Samuel Jackson is a supporter of independent films and we hope to show some of his films.'' Organisers added the first festival -- which will run from May 1 to 8 -- would be held to link with the Golf Classic, but will go back to the end of April in future years, to slot in between similar events in the US.

The festival is expected to bring a programme of high-quality independent films, which would not normally get a showing on the Island.

And a Golden Onion could become as coveted an award as a Golden Rose from Montreux, a Golden Bear from Berlin or an Oscar.

For two types of award, yet to be named, will also be given, one from audience results and one from a jury.

A charitable trust, to be called the Bermuda International Film Festival Trust, will be set up in the New Year, together with a limited company to organise the festival.

The theme of the 14-film event is firsts -- with an emphasis on first-time directors, screenwriters and producers.

Selected directors will be invited to talk about their work, while it is hoped actors and actresses from feature films will also attend.

The Liberty Theatre is already signed up as one of the two venues, with negotiations for another continuing.

Primary sponsor with the Rafael Group's Elbow Beach is Telco, while the Bank of Bermuda and Gosling's are among the sponsors of individual evenings.

Managing director of the organising company, Aideen Ratteray Price, said the aim was to start small with the festival increasing in size slowly.

She said: "It's envisioned an enriching cultural event will be added to Bermuda's cultural calendar.

"It's intended that the film festival build up over a period of three to five years and find its niche in the film festival calendar as an intimate venue for film-makers to showcase their work and meet with industry representatives and international media.'' And she added that Bermuda's unique appeal as a destination is likely to be an "all important'' factor in attracting the best in film-making as well as new visitors -- but stressed that the festival would have huge local appeal too.

She said: "We have all heard the complaints that there is nothing to do in the evening here -- well, this is something to do.'' Programme director Kendaree Burgess-Fairn admitted that it was unlikely the festival would attract a premiere for its first year.

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