GONE are the days when amateur film-making was the domain of those with camcorders and elaborate home editing suites – now almost everyone has the power to shoot, edit and produce films on their mobile phones.

Following the success of the 2016 Steep Film Challenge in its inaugural year, amateur film-makers are again being invited to get busy on their smart phones and enter a new three-minute film for the 2017 edition of the competition.

Films must be submitted by Monday, September 4, and will be reviewed by an experienced panel of judges including Rupert Day, award-winning director and editor, Andrew Lotbiniere, of Pukka Films, who produced the award-winning 2014 film Kajaki, and Rachel Portman, one of Britain’s stellar composers of film soundtracks. 

An awards evening – with cash prizes of £200, £100 and £50 up for grabs – and screening will follow on Saturday, September 9 at Steep Village Hall, Church Road, Steep, Petersfield, GU32 2DN starting at 5.30pm.

Films can belong to any genre, but must be a maximum of three minutes long and include a visual reference to Steep.

They must also be delivered in MP4, WMV, or DVD format. A special prize will be awarded for the best original soundtrack, and by submitting entries film-makers waive copyright and agree for them to be shown online.

Phyllida Barnes, one of the organisers of this year’s festival, said: “We held the first Steep Film Challenge two years ago and had 13 amazing entries, including five original soundtracks.

“This year we are lucky enough to have Rachel Portman on our judging panel,  who really is one of the world’s best known film track composers, so it’s a great panel to get your film in front of.

“Anyone can make a film on their smart phone now so it’s a great thing for a group of kids to do during their holidays and if anyone older has always wanted to make a film and have an audience for it, this is their opportunity.”

Film-makers must register their interest in submitting a film by Friday, August 25, by calling Phyllida Barnes on 01730 269267 / 07876 615040 or emailing her at [email protected].

Entrants can also message the Steep Film Challenge Facebook page or alternatively visit: www.steepvillage.com for further details.