Whether it is a football match recorded on a phone, or holiday footage on a digital camera, most of us now have the ability to capture a snapshot of their life on film.

The rapid growth of video website YouTube has escalated our love affair with amateur film footage, offering internet browsers millions of clips, capturing all walks of life across the globe.

Newspapers have also embraced the technology, sending reporters and photographers on video courses and putting an increasing amount of footage on websites.

Recognising this expansion of web films, the Chronicle & Echo is launching a competition to uncover the best talent in Northamptonshire.

Film Northants invites anyone of any age to enter a film of no more than five minutes length, which will be displayed on this website.

A panel of judges will select a shortlist of films which will be put to a public vote, via our website. All of the shortlisted films will be screened at a special red carpet event at Vue Cinema in Sol Central, Northampton on July 21, in front of an invited audience.

The winner of the public vote will be announced on the night of the screening and they will receive a trophy and an annual pass to Vue Cinema.

The two runners-up will receive three-month cinema passes.

To enter your film, just follow the details given below.

The rules
Maximum length five minutes (but any length up to this)

A film can be submitted by an individual or a group (but only one entry per individual/group)

The film-makers must live in Northamptonshire

The film must be an original piece of work

The film can be of any genre: Fiction, documentary, music video, news, etc.

No explicit sex, violence or language is permitted.

Film suggestions
A film about your community, residents, workers, amenities and atmosphere

A news report on a local issue; litter, recycling or dangerous roads

Footage of an activity such as a football match, a play or a street sport

A fictional short story, filmed on location in Northamptonshire

How to enter
All entries must be submitted on DVD as a WMV, MPEG or MOV file and sent to: Film Northants, Lily Canter, Chronicle & Echo, Upper Mounts, Northampton, NN1 3HR
Deadline: June 1, 2008

Include the following information with your entry: film title; name of filmmaker/s; brief description of film; why you chose to make this film; contact name and number.

Judging panel
Tim Coley, University of Northampton film lecturer
Experience: Began work as a runner for film company Original Film and Video Productions (1986) and became a freelance producer and editor of music videos (1990s). Started Lucid Video, an independent production company (1999) to produce documentary, educational, training and community films. Subjects filmed include how mothers deal with wearisome youngsters (Positive Parenting) to modern slavery (Sticks and Stones).

Looking for: "The best films are generally self-contained, lean units that leave no loose ends. It is best to focus on a particular moment an audience can relate to. People always tend to underestimate the importance of props and locations."

Favourite film: "Citizen Kane, Seven and Pan's Labyrinth are all great films".

John Tredrea, cinema manager, Vue
Experience: Eight years in cinema management. Organised regional premieres, including North-ampton film Kinky Boots and Casino Royale. Organised special screenings such as Ross Noble stage show, Genesis, and Take That Live shows.

Looking for: "I hope entries are of varied genres and really sum up life in Northamptonshire. It will be great to see the viewpoint of different people; it's an opportunity to really promote Northamptonshire in a different light, as well as having a lot of fun."

Favourite film: "It would be between Quadrophenia and Withnail And I".

Lily Canter, features editor, Chronicle & Echo
Experience: Written many film reviews on mainstream and arthouse pictures. Interviewed stars including Steven Seagal, James McAvoy and Anthony Head. An early interest in film was influenced by a family friend, director Mike Leigh, and began making shorts and feature films at the age of 12. Also been trained in filming for news websites.

Looking for: "I would like to see something that incorporates all the elements of good film-making, such as framing, lighting, editing, music and sound. I would like film-makers to think about surroundings and choose locations carefully. Simplicity often creates the most emotional impact."

Favourite film: "Favourites range between Anchorman, American Psycho, Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, Blade and documentary Tarnation".

This competition is a joint venture between the Chronicle & Echo and Vue Cinema. To see Vue's latest cinema releases click here.