The Bermuda International Film Festival is a golden opportunity for Bermuda's upandcoming filmmakers, even the youngest ones.

This year, a film by Mount Saint Agnes students will screen in the BIFF Kids section at the 11th Bermuda International Film Festival, March 28 to April 5.

'Bermuda 2108', an eight-minute film that carries a strong environmental message, will screen in the Ages 9 and Up section of the festival in front of the Russian animated film, 'Dobrinya and the Dragon'.

The two films will screen on Sunday March 30 at 3.45 p.m. in the Tradewinds Auditorium at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

The students who worked on the project under instructor Craig Diamond are Megan Lopes, Ashleigh Pacheco, Steven Warren, Kashintae Fox, Claudia Borges, Andre Smith and Sheridan Smith.

And for Bermuda kids who aren't necessarily into making films, BIFF presents an opportunity to see great films.

The ever-popular Charlie and Lola series will be featured in BIFF Kids, too, with four episodes – 'Thunder Completely Does Not Scare Me', 'I Am Extremely Absolutely Boiling', 'I Can Dance Like a Dancer', and 'I Can't Stop Hiccuping' – screening for the Ages 3 and Up set.

Charlie and Lola will be preceded by four episodes of the clever and educational series, 'I'm an Animal'.

The funny, entertaining and award-winning South African film, 'City Slickers', about the hilarious antics of Capetown's 4,000 African Penguins, will screen in the Ages 6 and Up programme.

It will be preceded by the charming eight-minute animated film, 'Jiro Miu', from the Czech Republic as well as two animated shorts by Canadian animator Erik Goulet, who has taught children's animation classes for BIFF.

The films feature a curious and scary character named Saro Wormy in two animated adventures, 'Campfire Tail!' and 'Gravity Works!'

The full BIFF Kids feature line-up is:

Charlie and Lola (Ages 3 and Up, d. Kitty Taylor, United Kingdom, 48 min)

Join Charlie and his very funny little sister, Lola, in this hilarious set of four short films from the award-winning British television series that is seen in 20 countries worldwide. Seven-year-old Charlie narrates the stories, which focus on the antics of his feisty four-year-old sister, Lola. Characters in the series also include Marv Lowe, Charlie's best friend, plus Lola's best friend, Lotta, and Soren Lorensen, Lola's imaginary friend.

Based on a series of children's picture books by Lauren Child, the television series has won numerous awards worldwide. Join us for four hilarious episodes – Thunder Completely Does Not Scare Me, I Am Extremely Absolutely Boiling, I Can Dance Like a Dancer, and I Can't Stop Hiccuping – plus four episodes of the award-winning series, I'm an Animal.

City Slickers (Ages 6 and Up, d. Trevor de Kock, South Africa, 52 min)

A funny, action-packed and entertaining film for the whole family to enjoy, City Slickers tells the story of the 4,000 African Penguins who live on Boulders Beach, just outside Capetown, where they have learned to co-exist with their human neighbours.

This documentary focuses on two such penguins, Henry and Margot, as they explore suburbia: dodging traffic, sneaking into swimming pools, and making uninvited appearances in parlours. Their unusual living conditions don't deter Henry and Margot from parenthood, with all its difficulties.

Yet new challenges await: a huge oil spill threatens the entire penguin population. Will man answer his responsibility to other species.

City Slickers is the result of a three-year project by award-winning wildlife filmmaker Trevor de Kock. It is an uplifting story with a positive environmental message: humans can live side by side with nature. Viewers of all ages will be captivated by this film.

Dobrinya and the Dragon (Ages 9 and Up, d. Ilya Maksimov, Russia, 65 min) Russian with English subtitles

A riotous family film from Russia featuring foreign yet familiar characters using rich hand-drawn animation seamlessly blended with modern 3D elements, this is a fast-paced, universal story that will appeal to young children as well as adults. One of the great heroes of Russian folklore is the powerful warrior Dobrinya.

Yet the film focuses on a lowly messenger boy who wishes to prove his love for the princess Zabava by teaming with Dobrinya. Along the way there are evil merchants, witches, and even a Bollywood-esque dance sequence.

When Zabava is kidnapped by the fearsome three-headed dragon Gorinch, they set out to rescue her. But things aren't always what they seem. Greatness is not only about strength, but also about teamwork and forgiveness. This is a story deeply rooted in Russian culture, yet with timeless humour, adventure, and a message of friendship for all nationalities.

Tickets to BIFF 2008 will go on sale Wednesday, March 19 at 10 a.m. both online at www.biff.bm as well as at the festival's physical box office, Washington Lane, Hamilton.