Lights, camera, action! Budding Steven Spielbergs are being encouraged to get involved in the Swale Film Festival, which has been given the go-ahead.

Although usually put on in September, the festival has been put back to February 2012, due to funding.

But planning is well underway and youngsters are being invited to get their thinking caps on.

The festival will take place from Thursday, February 23, to Sunday, February 26.

There will be a competition for filmmakers aged 14 to 25, who can make their own movies, between three and five minutes long, to be entered into the film awards.

Screenings of blockbusters and local movies will also take place around the borough.

Next year will be the fourth time the Swale Film Festival has taken place.

Organiser Ken Rowles said he hopes to launch a website next month where people will be able to get entry forms.

Entries into the film awards can be any genre and there will also be a category dedicated to the London 2012 Olympics.

The movies will be judged by a panel of film industry experts and as well as a trophy, the winners will be treated to a visit to Pinewood Studios.

The Avenue Theatre will provide the Sittingbourne base for the event.

Swale Film Festival is being funded by Swale council, borough and county councillors’ grants, Sheppey Matters and Screen South and organisers have already secured £6,000 of the £7,000 they need.

Mr Rowles said: “The festival is about bringing the magic of cinema to the people of Swale.

“The film awards have been successful in the past and have been a big part of the festival.

“There’s a lot of activity going on and it’s terrific to see the interest from the youngsters and what they’re putting into it.”