The second annual Bermuda International Film Festival promises to be even bigger and better than the first.

With more films on offer and a host of connected attractions, the event is set to break last year's audience total of 5,000.

Launching BIFF 1998 yesterday, Karla Lacey-Minors of main sponsors BTC, said they had signed up for the first festival and were pleased to be associated again -- along with Entertainment Weekly Magazine -- with an event that brought so much to residents and visitors.

"We are proud to take the primary sponsorship role again and we are certain that the festival will be bigger and better than last year,'' she said.

"We recognise that film is a primary means of communication worldwide, and as BTC is in the business of communication, this event is an exciting one for us to support.'' During the festival, which runs at the Liberty and Little Theatres in Hamilton from May 1 to 7, people will get the chance to see 13 feature films by independent production companies.

In addition, in a new idea, cinema-goers will also be able to see various film shorts prior to the feature films at the Liberty Theatre.

And at the Little Theatre there will be a short series, with eight films -- including Worldwatch Bermuda, the story of an alien abduction plot on the island.

There is more to the festival than watching films, during the week film lovers can mingle and learn with a host of industry professionals who are due to fly in.

Workshops on screenwriting, film financing and production are to be offered -- giving the public a chance to see what goes on behind the scenes and just how films make it to the screen.

Festival director Aideen Ratteray-Pryse said: "There is so much more to the film business than the films themselves.

"The business community will be particularly interested in the film financing and investment workshop.'' The social side is not forgotten with a host of parties and informal events for the public to meet those involved in the film industry.

There are invitation-only opening parties at La Coquille restaurant and the Harmony Club, and a `wrap' event for which tickets cost $30, at the Surf Club, at the end of the week.

In addition, there will be a BIFF bar at the Liberty Theatre and special dining offers at several restaurants.

Films for the event are selected by a jury panel, which views offerings from other film festivals and those obtained via advertisments in trade publications.

And those at the festival will be in line for three awards, the Jury Prize, Entertainment Weekly Audience Choice Award and the Bermuda Shorts Award.

Tickets cost $100 for the whole event, $50 for a partial pass and $8 per film.

They are available before May 1 at the Visitors Service Bureau and thereafter at the theatres.

MOTION PICTURES MPC