Lights, camera, action. Northamptonshire's biggest film competition is back with more prizes and a variety of categories.

Film Northants 2009 invites filmmakers to enter a five minute video filmed on location in the county, to be in with the chance of winning a flat screen television, cinema passes, merchandise goodies and workshops with industry experts.

All of the eligible films will be displayed at northamptonchron.co.uk before a panel of judges draw up a shortlist.

The finalists in each category will have their filmed screen at Vue Cinema in Sol Central, Northampton at a red carpet awards ceremony on September 22.

Last year the debut contest received more than 35 entries and thousands of people logged onto the Chronicle & Echo website to view the films.

Eight-year-olds to 80-year-olds entered films in a range of genres including science-fiction, documentary, comedy, drama and horror.

Following the successful format, in 2009 the contest is once more open to individuals or groups of any age who can enter one film each. This film can be entered into one of three categories - fiction, non-fiction and schools.

The film must be shot on location in Northamptonshire but can have any theme which does not have to be connected to the county.

School pupils can independently enter a film into the fiction and non-fiction categories if they wish, or take part in a school project as part of the schools award.

The public will vote for the winner of each category and this year the Chron is introducing a Judges' Choice award for the best overall film.

Film Northants co-ordinator and features editor Lily Canter said: "Last year we didn't know what to expect but it was a runaway successful. We had such a great variety of films and it was an excellent way to showcase all the talent in the county. This year we hope to get twice as many entries, and have a great selection of prizes thanks to the range of partners who are supporting the competition."

The competition is being supported by Heart, Aspect Ratio Productions, The Film Lab, Reelscape Films, The University of Northampton and 20th Century Fox.

*Look out for future articles in the paper and online on how to write a short film screenplay, how to raise funds for a short film, how to shoot a short film and how to edit a short film.