BUDDING Steven Spielbergs in South Lakeland are being encouraged to aim high – for an opportunity to see their work screened at one of the best venues in the North.

Film-makers can submit short films – no longer than eight minutes – on any theme for the Northern Exposure competition.

The best entry will win a prestigious new award and be screened at Kendal’s Brewery Arts Centre Cinema.

There are three award categories:

* Best Film, which will be judged by a panel of entertainment industry experts;

* The People’s Choice, selected by audience vote on the night of the awards;

* The Social Media Award, based on Facebook likes, comments and shares.

One of the judges will be Simon Sylvester, a film-making lecturer at Kendal College.

The closing date for entries is February 28 and the awards ceremony will be held in April, at a date and time to be announced.

Entrants must live or work in Cumbria or north Lancashire or their films must be set or shot in these areas.

To enter, submit work on the Facebook page by searching Facebook for Northern Exposure Short Film