"It is the biggest film achievement we have ever accomplished. Winning the competition inspired us to make more films," recalled 2008 Film Northants winner Dean Twaites this week.

"We were so excited about the contest and the screening, and when we won we were so pleased with ourselves," he added.

Dean and his friends Jamie Bricknell and Barry Smith produced horror flick Confined which scooped the first prize at the awards ceremony last July.

The team are now hoping to retain their title and will be back this year with their new film.

Dean said: "If anyone has a passion for film it is a great starting place. If you have got a basic camera and a PC anyone can make a film. People think it is really high tech and hard to do, but it's not. If the kids (that won third prize in 2008) can do it, anyone can."

Actor and radio presenter Nick Stoppani, who appeared in Confined, welcomed the new schools category in the Film Northants 2009 contest this year.

He said: "It is fantastic that the school children can take part in it. It is important for the film industry to get youngsters involved and the competition gives them something to look forward to."