Chris Haydon – artistic director at Kingston’s Rose Theatre – has urged young Surbiton film-makers to be part of a new silver-screen festival this summer.

Pictured on the left of this triumvirate of worthies, Chris said that the line between theatre and cinema had blurred in lockdown, opening up extra avenues to success for anyone with enthusiasm and ideas.

KIFF, The Kingston International Film Festival, runs from June 24-26 at different venues in the town, with one prize specially aimed at local folk – the £500 Eadweard Muybridge Award, only open to those living in a KT postcode. Details at www.kiffest.uk/submissions

Chris said that young creative talents had huge opportunities to build careers by feeding the seemingly insatiable TV demand for drama, as well as via mainstream and indie cinema, and he encouraged everyone to have a go.

At the launch he was accompanied by Four Weddings and Harry Potter director Mike Newell (right) and festival guru David Cunningham (centre).

Mike, pictured, also encouraged youngsters to have a go at making films, adding: “If you go to national film school, the first thing they ask is ‘Where are your films?’

“Steven Spielberg made films from the age of 12, and I hope this film festival can develop a pathway for people to get started [in the industry].

“That’s the great difficulty… getting started!”