MOVIE lovers are in for a treat as a film festival organised by Weymouth College makes its return in a west Dorset market town.

The Dorset Indie Film Festival 2023 will take place at Bridport's Electric Palace in South Street on Thursday, May 25 at 6.30pm.

More than 1,000 submissions from amateur film makers from more than 50 countries have been received for the event this spring.

As part of their studies, media production students at Weymouth College have been tasked with running a film festival.

The festival has been running for five years but 2023 is the first time the event has been back since the pandemic and organisers say they want to 'create something special'.

The aim of the festival is to showcase international film talent, increase awareness of film art in Dorset and explore the future of the film industry.

It also endeavours to highlight work that might not traditionally be shown upon the big screen.

"We’re very excited to be able to host this Festival at such a gorgeous, and popular venue," said one of the organisers and student, Daisy Russell.

"Before Covid-19 I was in Kenya helping a charity called The Boo Charity, gathering research for a documentary.

"I returned home due to the pandemic, there was a lockdown and resulting in restriction of all travel. I had no idea what to do.

"However, I knew there were stories worldwide that I wanted to expose. That is when I came to realize I wanted to be a film producer.

"I have been given the honour of producing the film festival helping bring a night of fantastic short films to Bridport, also giving filmmakers the opportunity to have their work screened."

The Weymouth College course is integrated with Plymouth University and Ms Russell says it has enabled her to progress to Manchester University in September to complete her degree.

The deadline to submit film is Thursday, April 13 and can be done by visiting filmfreeway.com/DorsetIndieFilmFestival 

Tickets for the Dorset Indie Film Festival 2023 are available at www.electricpalace.org.uk/events/event/dorset-indie-film-festival/