Sittingbourne’s New Century cinema may soon be showing more than just the latest Disney releases and action blockbusters.

After the official reopening of the cinema on Tuesday, there could also be the opportunity to watch films that were shot just down the road by a notable independent filmmaker.

Al Carretta, from Gillingham, has shot seven feature films in the Avenue Theatre on The Avenue of Remembrance, using its rooms and versatile spaces to build incredible sets that render the theatre virtually unrecognisable on-screen.

The 35-year-old Edinburgh Fringe Festival veteran started putting his set design skills and directing flair to use at the theatre four years ago, using it a couple of days a week for a few days of the year for each film.

His background designing and building stage sets immediately set Mr Carretta apart from other budding filmmakers because he knew how to transform an area on an incredibly limited budget.

“An old media producer was so impressed at one thing that I’d done for £600 that he said he couldn’t make for less than £60k – we could do on £10 what other people would do on £1,000,” he said of his ability to cut costs in an expensive business.

He uses his budgetary constraints to his advantage by employing some of the tricks stage directors use to maximise space when there is not much to play with.

For example, he has previously shot multiple scenes for a film by creating numerous small sets in just one room.

He said: “The value is there in all the films and if I hadn’t been in stage for 10 years I wouldn’t have built up the skill set I have.

“It taught me that you don’t need 10 people in your crew when you could have two people doing the same thing.”

Mr Carretta hopes to pull in a larger crowd for his latest feature, Automatically Sunshine, when it is shown at the New Century and also get more local people involved in the growing artistic community in the town.

To see the trailer for the film, visit vimeo.com/nightpiecefilms and to check when his screening will be go to www.nightpiecefilms.co.uk

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WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

Friday, January 30

Paddington (U) 5pm

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (12A) 7.30pm

Saturday, January 31

Penguins of Madagascar (PG) 11am

Paddington (U) 2pm

Taken 3 (15) 5pm

The Imitation Game (12A) 7.30pm

Sunday, February 1

Paddington (U) 11am and 2pm

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (12A) 5pm

For more and booking go to www.cinemasittingbourne.co.uk