Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF) is holding the ultimate Mad Hat Party to celebrate this spring's most anticipated 3D motion picture 'Alice in Wonderland'.

The film from Walt Disney Pictures and director Tim Burton is a twist on the classic novel by Lewis Carroll 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' published in 1865.

In 'Alice in Wonderland' Johnny Depp stars as the Mad Hatter and Mia Wasikowska plays 19-year-old Alice, who returns to the whimsical world she first encountered as a young girl.

In the story, she reunites with her childhood friends: the White Rabbit, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Dormouse, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and of course, the Mad Hatter.

She embarks on a fantastical journey to find her true destiny and end the Red Queen's reign of terror. The all-star cast also includes Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham Carter and Crispin Glover.

In Bermuda, The Mad Hat Party kicks off at 6.30 p.m. at Liberty Theatre on March 5.

There will be opportunities to win prizes after you enter the topsy-turvy party through the rabbit hole, past the chess pieces, pink flamingoes, teapots and playing cards.

Ticket holders will then be invited to enter the Mad Hat Competition where they can design and craft the kind of hats that would make a hatter go mad.

Hat models are invited to take the stage at 7.30 p.m. to compete for the Maddest Hat and the Most Artistic Hat.

Prizes will be awarded by guest judge Senator Thaao Dill.

The competitors will vie for CD vouchers provided by Music World and certificates for lunch and dinner at Mad Hatters Restaurant on Richmond Road. At the party, a number of movie souvenirs will be on hand including cups with figurines of the film's characters.

Coupons will also be available for film fans for a discount on BIFF matinee films during BIFF 2010 to be held March 19 to 25.

"The Committee have been brainstorming for almost a month." said BIFF fund-raising events director Cheryl Shane. "With the help of Bermuda Plant Nursery we are transforming the entry to Liberty Theatre into a trip to Wonderland.

"As you walk down the circular stairs you will experience Alice's tumble through the rabbit hole past teacups and teapots into the Red Queen's rose garden. Of course, the Queen wants red, not white roses so someone will be sure to lose their head!"

Deputy fund-raising director Kay-Annie Reid-Young said, "There will be a Mad Hatter's parade on stage at 7.30 p.m. Senator Dill will judge the contestants' hats to decide the most artistic and the maddest."

Added Ms Shane: "We will organise a game of croquet during the party using pink flamingoes and a hedgehog. They're not the flamingoes from the BAMZ, of course, but until ours fly in we don't know if they will be any good at hitting the hedgehog through the hoops.

"Or we'll practice a lobster quadrille to the Franz Ferdinand song from 'Almost Alice' in the theatre before the 3D movie.

"Music World is importing 'Almost Alice' just in time for our event."

The event is not part of BIFF, which begins two weeks later. Instead, it is a fundraiser for the operating funds of BIFF and the BIFF Academy, the educational arm of BIFF.

"We are thrilled to have the support of the community while we seek to advance film education, promote filmmaking and support film exhibition in Bermuda," said festival director Aideen Ratteray Pryse.

The committee is comprised of Cheryl Shane; Kay-Annie Reid-Young; Mary Aulin, Margot Cooper, Barbara and Sarah Jaques, Caroline Sullivan, Rachelle O'Neil and many others working behind the scenes.

Mad Hat party tickets will be available for purchase at the BIFF office at 15 Front Street, opposite Albuoys Point, Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Priced at $50, they offer early admission and complementary wine from 6.30 to 7.15 p.m. Then the party heads into the theatre for the Mad Hat competition.

At 7.15 p.m. the doors open to premiere ticket holders. These tickets are available for purchase at Liberty Theatre for $25.