A world renowned actress and President Clinton's choice to head a major US arts organisation was yesterday named as the lead judge for Bermuda's first international film festival.

Jane Alexander, who has appeared in films including All The President's Men and who chairs the National Endowment of the Arts, was one of a panel of three judges named yesterday.

The others are Canadian film training expert Thomas Shoebridge and Bermudian Tim Hodgson, editor of The Mid Ocean News .

"Ms Alexander is recognised the world over for her stage and screen work,'' said Bermuda International Film Festival general manager Aideen Ratteray Pryse.

"She has been nominated for Academy and Tony Awards for performances in films such as The Great White Hope and for Broadway plays such as The Sisters Rosenzweig.

"In 1993, she was appointed by President Bill Clinton to the position of chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts. Getting her is quite a coup,'' added Mrs. Ratteray Pryse.

"The NEA is a federally funded organisation which provides financial support to cultural groups in the United States.

"Taking up the challenge of President Clinton to `renew America', Ms Alexander has built her vision for the NEA around the manner in which the arts can contributed to better schools, a more vibrant local economy and stronger communities,'' she added.

Mr. Shoebridge is an expert in film training and in 1981 he established the world-renowned Summer Institute of Film and Television.

He has also worked with Academy award winning director Anthony Minghella, director of The English Patient, and has co-ordinated script training sessions for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

"Mr. Shoebridge has chaired or sat on film and video juries that range from international screenwriting, national television, best Canadian films to current rock videos,'' said Mrs. Ratteray Pryse.

"We are particularly pleased that Tim Hodgson has been able to join the jury panel, providing an expert Bermudian perspective to the judging exercise,'' said Mrs. Ratteray Pryse.

"The Bermuda International Film Festival will be well served by these three accomplished panelists.'' The festival, with entries from around the world, will run from May 1 to May 8 at the Liberty Theatre and The Little Theatre. Tickets will be available from April 15 at Hamilton's Visitor Service Bureau or by calling 293-FILM.

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