THE Bermuda International Film Festival scored a noticeable victory recently with a nod from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

As of next year, short films accepted into BIFF will automatically become eligible for Oscar consideration provided they meet the Academy's qualifying criteria.

In the past, films had to have had a theatrical run in Los Angeles County before they could receive Oscar consideration.

"This is wonderful news for our festival," said BIFF director Aideen Ratteray Pryse, "It is a huge benefit for our winning short film-maker and I am certain it will result in an even greater number of entries being submitted to the festival. It is also a real endorsement of our short film programme, which has always been very strong."

Fewer than 50 festivals around the world serve as qualifiers for the Short Film Oscar. Bermuda now ranks with such renowned festivals as Berlin, Bilbao, Cannes, Locarno, Melbourne, Montreal, Sydney, Toronto, Venice and Sundance.

Mrs. Ratteray Pryse said the organisation had been urged to contact the Academy by American Neil Leifer, whose films have screened in BIFF's shorts category three times.

"Neil encouraged me to contact the Academy after BIFF 2004, feeling that our short film programme was particularly strong. I did so, and the Academy asked for information about our short film programme going back a number of years. We are all delighted to hear the good news from the Academy so quickly."

The Bermuda International Film Festival was founded in 1997. Next year's event runs March 18 through 24.