AWARD winners and rising stars from across the globe will be helping to put Bolton at the centre of the big screen action.

The town has a starring role in two days of movie magic coming to the Light Cinema this September.

Bolton Film Festival will celebrate innovative and groundbreaking short films from independent film-makers and students alike.

It is inviting submissions in feature, documentary, animation, comedy, experimental or music, with an aim to showcase emerging talent from Bolton and beyond.

The two-day event at the cinema in the Market Place has been organised by freelance photographer and film-maker Adrian Barber.

Mr Barber, from Bradshaw, said: “This is going to huge for Bolton, it’s its first film festival and we are already reaching the four corners of the globe.

“It will showcase talent from Bolton, the North West, nationally and internationally.

“It is a massive festival and its right at in the centre of town.”

Taking place from September 20 to 21, entries have already opened to amateur film makers, including students from secondary school through to university graduates.

Submissions have already been received from local filmmakers as well as entries in London, Ireland, Scotland – and Iraq, Brazil, Uruguay, China and America.

Mr Barber added: “The short film has some outstanding talent and is a different genre to feature films. You have to be able to tell a story in five, 10, 20 minutes.

“We are welcoming all levels of films, with entries from award winners who have done anything from television and feature films to newcomers.

“Audiences watching these films will recognise faces from the likes of Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Shameless, Downtown Abbey, etc.”

Films must be no more than 20 minutes long with categories in UK Short Feature, North West Short, International Short, Documentary / Factual, Comedy / Entertainment, Music and Animation. here are also Graduate/Post Graduate and Sixth Form / College categories for students, and a free to enter Community or Charity Short and category for schools, if they are within 10 miles of the cinema.

Deadline for entries is July 1 and Mr Barber and a team of volunteers will whittle down the films to a long list before a panel of judges chose the short list and eventual winners.

A growing panel of well-known industry names includes BAFTA winning writer Anita Pandolfo, BAFTA-nominated Horwich writer Chris Lunt, Octagon Theatre director David Thacker, and Bolton-born actor Iain Mckee.

The not-for-profit event has been sponsored by Bolton Council, the university of Bolton, Bolton at home, the Holiday Inn, Bolton College and Bolton Arts Forum.

In September audiences are invited to watch the screenings of the short listed films and take part in a day showcasing the latest film technologies, workshops, talks and speak to industry experts.

To find out more about the festival visit www.boltonfilmfestival.com.