SECURITY measures will be in place for a secretly-filmed documentary on Tibetan culture, scheduled to screen during the Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF).

The film, , shows Tibetans reacting to a message of hope from the Dalai Lama. The message was smuggled into the country by film-makers Francois Prevost and Hugo Latulippe. Worried that Chinese authorities occupying Tibet might access a copy of the film, they insist that every audience is screened prior to entry.

It is believed that as many as 1.2 million people have been killed or imprisoned since the Chinese occupation of Tibet and their concern is that the Tibetans filmed ? members of the general public ? will face severe repercussions if their involvement in the project becomes known. As such, "everyone attending the film will be 'wanded' by security guards carrying metal detectors to ensure that they are not carrying any recording devices, including camera cell phones, into the theatre," a BIFF spokesperson said. "A security guard wearing night vision goggles will also be in the theatre during the screenings."

The precautions are no different to what has taken place during other screenings of the documentary, explained BIFF deputy director Duncan Hall.

"I saw the film at the Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax last September, and the same security measures were in place. It only takes a couple of seconds to be 'wanded', but we are asking people to arrive early to ensure there won't be any delays.

"The film is tremendous, well worth the extra security. I saw the film in a full theatre, with 400 people, and they gave (it) a standing ovation at the end."

will screen Saturday, March 19 at 4 p.m. at Southside Cinema and on Monday, March 21 at 9 p.m. at the Little Theatre. The film's Tibetan-born narrator, Kalsang Dolma, will be present at the first screening.

"She was to be in Bermuda for both screenings but was informed yesterday that the film has been nominated for a Genie Award, Canada's version of the Academy Awards, in the Best Documentary category," a BIFF spokesperson added.

q The eighth Bermuda International Film Festival runs from March 18-24. Tickets are on sale online at www.biff.bm, and at the BIFF Front Room box office, Number One Passenger Terminal, Front Street, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Individual film tickets are $10.