From the "On The Scene" Archives:

by Mark Rabinowitz

The second annual Bermuda International Film Festival wrapped up last week, with noted award-winning Burkina Faso-born director Idrissa Ouedraogo picking up the Jury Prize for Best Film for "Kini and Adams." Directors Constance Marks and Bob Eisenhardt took home a Special Jury Selection for Outstanding Documentary for thier film "Green Chimneys," a story about three abandoned and abused boys and thier chance for a new life at the Green Chimneys residential care facility in Brewster, New York. The film also screened at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival and won the Innovation Award of five acres of land at the 1997 Taos Talking Pictures Festival.

The Entertainment Weekly Audience Choice Award went to Bermudian filmmaker Alison Swan for her debut film, "Mixing Nia." The film also recently took home the Grand Prize at the Houston Worldfest. In the shorts category, David Birdsell's "Phil Touches Flo" picked up the Bermuda Shorts Award.

Commenting on Ouedraogo's win in a prepared statement, festival director Aideen Ratteray-Pryse said, "We are thrilled that an international director of such stature has one our top prize," continuing, "It shows that our festival has gained a worldwide profile after just two years, and we look forward to another truly international festival next year."