With just six weeks to the closing date for entries, Marston’s Brewery’s Beer Town Film Festival has already attracted more than 500 entries from around the UK, but would welcome entries from brewers, pub-goers or employees looking for their big break.

The highest number of entries are in the fiction short film category, with 75% of the entries, followed by documentary short (12%), animated short (7%), and promo, music and advertising film (6%). Entries have come from as far as Inverness, Falmouth, Swansea and Hull, and 6%are by home-grown film makers. Just 20% of the entries are from women film makers.

Launched in September last year, the first film festival in Burton Upon Trent celebrates Marston’s 180-year association with the town and is backed by Burton-born talent, Rich Yeomans, the Harry Potter visual effects producer and film maker, and award-winning screen writer Deborah Haywood.

Jo Wyke, from Marston’s Brewery, said: “We are thrilled with the number of entries that we have attracted to date and it would be great to get some pub-themed short stories or documentaries. How about a promo film or music video shot in a pub?

“These days, with smartphone technology, anyone can make short films. We’re not looking for Hollywood-budget epics or high-tech visual effects. We want to see creativity in ideas, attention-grabbing storytelling, or fascinating documentaries. There must be some budding stars out in pubs and bars who are looking for their big break.”

The Beer Town Film Festival is for film makers 16 years of age and over who can enter one or more of four categories (and the home-grown category if they are eligible) from now until March 31 via the Beer Town website

Judging will take place during April and May 2018 and will culminate in a major outdoor cinema, beer and food festival event to be held at Marston’s Brewery, in Burton Upon Trent, on Saturday, May 26.

Audiences will be able to see clips of the finalists’ films and hear the winners being announced before enjoying a feature film in the surroundings of the famous Victorian brewery.