Two world premieres are among the 16 narrative feature films and documentaries selected for screening in competition at the 2003 Bermuda International Film Festival from April 11-17.

The American feature film `Dunsmore', by director Peter Spirer and the Canadian documentary feature, `School of Hope', by director James Howard, will have their first-ever screenings at BIFF 2003.

`Dunsmore' chronicles the people of a small Florida town, located well off the interstate, who exact revenge after years of being cowed by the town bully. Barry Corbin and Talia Shire - of `Rocky' fame - feature in a film about the murder investigation that follows, and the conspiracy of silence that speaks volumes.

Dunsmore is one of eight films in the competition features category, which also includes: `deadend.com' (Canada): S. Wyeth Clarkson's feature film debut, a road movie about three teenagers who enter a suicide pact, and then cross Canada from Halifax to Vancouver, vowing to end their lives when they arrive. An official selection at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival, the film's complex characters are well crafted, the dialogue is sharp and realistic. This is not a film for the faint of heart, according to the organisers.

James Howard's `School of Hope' (Canada) debuts in BIFF's documentary category.

"It tells the story of desperately poor young women of rural China who must leave home just to gain a basic education," BIFF said. "Lacking the money to pay for school, they have been given hope by two women who have begun a school to teach them marketable job skills. Howard has made a film that is both hopeful - and heartbreaking."

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See Saturday's Weekender section for a full preview of BIFF