Prizes on offer for supporters of Leamington cinema fest

The Leamington Underground Cinema returns this autumn.

The five-day event, taking place at various venues around the town, will include feature screenings by filmmakers from south Warwickshire, across the country and abroad and a short film competition.

Jim Morton from the Leamington Underground Cinema group said: “We’d love this to become a well-known annual event, providing something different and special for local film lovers and putting Leamington Spa squarely on the film festival map.

“In only our second year we have already had in excess of 1,300 entries for our short film prize from over 80 countries.”

The group is aiming to raise £3,000 through its sponsorship rewards scheme, but Jim said: “If we exceed our target, we will look to expand the festival or put on a special free screening in the coming months.”

Pledges start at £125 for a bronze sponsor package, including one festival pass and a listing on the sponsors page of the festival programme. A silver package for £250 includes two passes, the name or logo of the sponsor appearing on screen before every film during the festival, a full page advert in the programme and a mention as a key supporter on the festival poster and video trailer. ‘Gold’ packages are available for £500, which include all the benefits of the silver package, as well as a place on the short film prize judging panel and a specially-commissioned film-themed artwork advertising the sponsor.

There is also a special music award available for £275, in exchange for which Leamington musician Lewis J Smith will write a song about the sponsor and perform it at the festival.

To find out more, email Jim at [email protected] or call 07946 238960.

• The first Leamington Underground Cinema Festival took place last September at venues including the LAMP, Altoria, Zephyr Lounge, Leamington arts Trail Studios and the Spa Centre.

The Hungry Corpse, directed by Gergely Wootsch, was voted best film.

This year’s event takes place from October 7 to 11. To find out more, visit leamingtonundergroundcinema.wordpress.com