Filmmakers encouraged to enter competitions in run up to Leamington Underground Cinema Festival

At the end of July 2015 the festivals organisers will award the first ever LUC 60 SECONDS MAX trophy and a prize of £250 to the creator of the best film submitted with a running time of one minute or less.

Submissions are open until Friday July 10, each submission costs £2 and people can enter as many times as they like.

Jim Morton , organiser of the festival, said: “We want films of any genre in any style and by any filmmaker.

“The ten best films submitted will be screened at an event in Leamington Spa on Saturday 25th July - the winner as chosen by our elite panel of film experts will walk off with a unique trophy and £250.

“The top ten will also be screened during the third Leamington Underground Cinema festival which runs from November 7 to 14.”

The festival will feature a number of acclaimed but lesser known films alongside those which will have been shortlisted for the LUC Short Film prize 2015.

There will also be live music, question and answer sessions and chances to interact and win prizes throughout the week.

Mr Morton said: “We can’t reveal too many details just yet, but we are hoping to have some great announcements to make in the coming months regarding feature screenings.

Already confirmed is a very special live soundtrack event featuring a host of musical talent.

“Also confirmed is a ‘Masochist Film Club’ screening of a hilariously terrible movie.”

“Our shadowy organising committee is currently in the planning stages for the festival - negotiating with film distributors, identifying venues and working out how we are going to pay for the whole thing.

“There are a number of sponsorship opportunities, from advertising on screen and in our programme through to naming the short film prize - please get in touch via email to [email protected] if you are interested.

“We’d also love to hear from any local venues that would be interested in hosting or screening any events.”

The festival will climax with the announcement of the LUC Short Film Prize, which has a prize of £1,000 for the best film submitted as judged by a panel of film critics, industry experts and sponsors.

Films can be submitted by using the FilmFreeway web site and searching for Leamington Underground Cinema.

Entrance costs £5.

Films must be less than 15 minutes long and have been completed after 1st January 2014.