Two Hollywood film experts will lead the Bermuda International Film Festival five-person jury this year.

One-time HBO playwright, Tama Janowitz, will chair the jury that includes TIME magazine film critic Richard Schickel and three award winners from the last BIFF - Justin Kerrigan (director of Human Traffic), Roko Belic (writer/director of Genghis Blues) and Jarl Olsen (director of Omar the Short and Devil Doll).

A spokesperson said: "They will determine the winners of the Jury Prize for Best Film, the Best Documentary and the Bermuda Shorts Award.'' Chairwoman Janowitz is the author of six books, including Slaves of New York, and the HBO animated film, "Three Little Pigs''.

She is also twice winner of the National Endowment for the Arts award in fiction and won the CAPS/NY State Council of the Arts.

In addition to Mrs. Janowitz, Richard Schickel will bring a wealth of experience to the jury.

He was the producer/writer/director of "Shooting Wars'', a two-hour Dreamworks/ABC history of the Second World War cameramen.

Other works include 20 published books including biographies of Marlon Brando, Clint Eastwood and film director D.W. Griffith.

The biography of Mr. Griffith won the 1985 British Film Institute Book Prize and in 1993 was named by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science as one of the 100 Best Books on Hollywood.

BIFF awards will be presented at the festival's Wrap Party on April 26 at the BUEI.

Tickets are on sale until April 19 at the Visitors Service Bureau box office, and at the Liberty and Little theatres after that.