GOVERNMENT has withdrawn its financial support of the Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF).The Department of Tourism has assisted the charity since 2000. However,. BIFF organisers were told sometime near the end of last year that the agreement had reached an end.

"Whilst the Department of Tourism will still provide support in terms of marketing, we will receive no cash grant," stated Festival director Aideen Ratteray Pryse (shown here with Michael<\p>Douglas at BIFF '06). "We looked at our financial situation and made alternative plans.

"We're carrying on as normal. In terms of moving forward with what we're doing we have a couple of fundraisers in place - one on March 3, and another later in the year." She refused to say how much of a contribution Government had made, describing it instead as "definitely a substantial amount of money for us in the sense that Tourism assistance over the years has helped us to grow and develop." Premier and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown yesterday refused to explain why funding had been slashed. However, the decision came under heavy criticism from Shadow Minister for Community, Culture and Race Relations Senator Gina Spence-Farmer.

"We disagree in the strongest possible terms with the Progressive Labour Party Government's decision to withdraw support from the Bermuda International Film Festival," she said. "BIFF is one of the most positive events on the Bermuda calendar, attracting international attention and expanding the range of cultural activities that we offer visitors as well as our own people. We're perplexed that the Government doesn't see this. There is no acceptable justification for Government's decision, especially when it can find tens of millions of dollars to support football and cricket." BIFF 2007 will go on despite the setback. Close to 100 international and local films will screen between March 16 and 24.

The announcement echoes the December revelation that Government had withdrawn its sponsorship of the XL Bermuda Open. Organisers of that event expressed their shock at the decision - the Department of Tourism had given its financial assistance ever since the tennis classic was first held in 1993.

"It is a pity," Tournament director Alec Anderson said at the time. "I would like to think we have proved our worth. We take a lot of pride in putting the tournament on and we think we have contributed quite a bit to the local community and to tourism and of, course, tennis. I really don 't understand it."

Sen. Farmer appeared similarly confused by that decision, describing the tournament as "another excellent event that generates entertainment and international attention while exposing many of our youngsters to training clinics conducted by professionals competing in the tournament."

She continued: "BIFF has an incredible youth programme and it should be supported. Who says there is not a Denzel Washington and Steven Spielberg among us waiting to be encouraged and developed? We should be expanding opportunities for our young people not limiting them. We must remember that the arts, not just sport, contribute to the development of our children. My concern is that this Government does not recognise the importance of the arts to individual development. It is overlooked, under-funded and disrespected.

"The United Bermuda Party has been pushing for the development of a National Youth Plan. With a plan we would be in position to look at the needs, resources and interest to support in a balanced way every possibility for the development of our young people."

BIFF began in 1997, when 22 films were screened in two theatres over seven days.

Today an annual event, it has seen enormous expansion - more than 70 films are screened in four theatres over nine days, and BIFF is recognised by the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences, as a qualifying festival for the Short Film Academy Award.

The charity also presents two annual events for children - a film festival and a film production camp - and holds monthly film series screenings.