COOLER than Cannes - that’s the word on the street about the new Maidstone Film Festival.

It launches this month at Stepping Stone Studios, the county town’s new cultural hub, amidst a buzz of expectation likely to drown out any lingering talk about Aston Martins and dry Martinis, shaken not stirred.

Billed as a celebration of culture, diversity, and creativity in film, the festival offers seven days packed with film screenings to the studios in Museum Avenue, between Week Street and Station Road, starting on Wednesday, November 14.

The arts centre will be transformed into a cinema and exhibition space - and each day of the festival will embrace different aspects of film culture from across the globe.

Film of the future will also play its part - with amateur filmmakers offered the chance to win an award judged by industry experts during the week.

Co organiser Jon Terranova, 22, said “When I graduated with a degree in Film and English this year I didn't think I'd be getting the chance to organise my own Film Festival so soon. The Youth in Action initiative should be more well known- its a great chance to get the freedom to try out your own events.”

Read more in this week's Kent Messenger.