The geographic location of Bermuda -- mid-way between Europe and the Americas -- has once again been favourably highlighted with the decision to stage an international film festival that will showcase movies from both sides of the Atlantic.

Thrilled by the positive response to what is hoped will be the first of an annual event, managing director Aideen Ratteray Pryse says that "films are pouring in from around the world. In fact, we've now got cubic eyes from gazing at so many movies!'' With more than 50 submitted for consideration, they have to whittle the final choice down to a total of 14 films that will be shown during the festival. It is expected that this will be achieved by mid-March.

Mrs. Ratteray Pryse believes that the committee's decision to showcase independently made films has been vindicated by the high proportion of independent films winning top awards at this year's Golden Globes, Screen Actors' Guild and receiving many nominations for the Oscars.

With two venues -- the Liberty and Little Theatres in Hamilton, the first Bermuda International Film Festival will take place from May 1 to 8, with two screenings each evening.

"Both theatres have been very supportive of the whole concept,'' she says, "and have been very helpful in ensuring that the Festival will be a success.'' She points out that, normally, a theatre brings a film in for one week "so people who come to the Festival will be able to see a great number and variety of films in a very short space of time.'' Mrs. Ratteray Pryse says her committee is also very fortunate to have Telco as their primary sponsor.

"I believe this is the first time they have ever sponsored a major event of this nature, so we were very encouraged by that.'' In addition, Entertainment Weekly has just announced that it, too, will become involved by becoming the Festival's international media sponsor. "That is really exciting news, as it should ensure maximum coverage of the event overseas. In that connection, we are also very grateful for the help given us by the Department of Tourism,'' she says.

Promising that some of the jury panel (which will comprise international and local jurors) will be "big names'', Mrs. Ratteray Pryse says there will be a Jury Prize and that Entertainment Weekly has announced it will sponsor a special Audience Award.

The Opening Gala, sponsored by Telco, will take place at Fort Hamilton and the Closing Night party, sponsored by Entertainment Weekly, will be held at Ariel Sands Club and Cottages which is also accommodating Festival officials and visitors.

Stressing the films will be of general interest, and while some of them may feature "big name'' stars, the idea was "to hook up with producers and directors who are not tied to the big, commercial studios. For instance, two of the films we have been looking at for possible inclusion in the Festival have Olympia Dukakis and Keanu Reeves.'' All of the films will be full-length, with some shorts being shown as an addition to the main feature of the evening.

Bound to secrecy "at the moment'', Mrs. Ratteray Pryse promises at least three world premieres to be shown in Bermuda. "We will be inviting some of the film-makers to come here and we plan to hold `question and answer' sessions when the movies are screened.'' The time is ripe for Bermuda to hold a film festival, she feels. "I see it growing in the future, not to the point where there are 400 films in eight days, but in the variety of films offered. There is certainly a market out there -- both for Hollywood and independent productions, I believe. Just think: in 1984, there was nothing going on film-wise here. Now we have four theatres (the Neptune at Dockyard and the New Somers Playhouse in St. George's as well as the Hamilton venues) and video stores that are doing a booming business. We are hoping that if this first Festival is a success, we can market it abroad to attract tourists -- hopefully, next year we can go down that road! "We are aiming to pre-sell as many tickets as possible,'' says Mrs. Ratteray Pryse. "We also need volunteers.''