After an outstanding spring film festival exhibited more than 100 films from around the world, the East Lansing Film Festival has begun taking entries for eligible films for its 2001 festival.

“We have already received some submissions,” said Jennifer White, the festival’s director. “But most come at the last minute, just before our first December deadline.”

The organization is accepting independent and international feature films, documentaries and short movies, as well as student and children’s films for the festival, which will take place March 22 through March 25 at Wells Hall.

With last year’s festival topping the success of previous ones, it is the goal of the staff to continue the growth.

“We want to top last year and take this to a whole new level,” co-director Shaun McNally said. “We hope to get a lot more publicity this year and have a bigger festival.”

The fourth annual festival, which was started by former director Susan Woods, has matured with every year of experience it gets.

“We have consistently received better films each year,” White said. “Our attendance has grown with each year, and a lot more filmmakers are coming out now that we have some experience.”

The festival, which is divided into three main areas or divisions, provides a wide range of films for all types of audiences.

“The festival consists of the main program, the Michigan’s Own Film Competition and the Children’s Film Festival,” McNally said.

The Michigan’s Own Film Competition takes place on the last day of the festival and recognizes the films and awards the filmmakers who the judges’ panel deems worthy of cash prizes.

According to the festival’s Web site, the Michigan’s Own Film Competition “awards Michigan-based filmmakers and those who choose to come to Michigan to make their films for their achievements in filmmaking.”