MOVIE magic is coming back to Okehampton with the announcement of a new midsummer film programme at the Charter Hall beginning this weekend. The first film will be the Oscar winning epic ?The Aviator? (cert 12A) starring Leonardo DiCaprio on Saturday (May 7) at 7.30pm. The programme will comprise seven recently released films to be screened in the Charter Hall each fortnight. Details of further films will be announced at a later date. The programme has been arranged by Okehampton Moving Pictures following its successful pilot project last year. The group has now purchased its own state of the art DVD projection system, complete with a 14ft screen and a professional standard surround sound system. Philip Wagstaff, chair of Okehampton Moving Pictures said: ?This project has demonstrated what the community of Okehampton can achieve when we work together. OMP has been delighted with the support given by people and businesses in the area who put up posters which enabled us to convince our funders that it is a project well worth investing in.? The projection equipment is a portable system, specifically selected so that it can be readily set up in other venues such as school or village halls. Anyone who is interested in bringing films to their own local community need only the venue, the appropriate licences, and audience and OMP can provide the rest. Village hall and community groups who want to find out more can contact Okehampton Moving Pictures through the North Tawton Development Trust on 01837 880119. Mr Wagstaff said everyone in the group had worked hard to achieve the aim of presenting regular films for all the community. He said the group was grateful for the assistance and guidance provided by the Dorset Film Company and the Devon Heartlands (MCTi) who contributed enormously to the success of the pilot programme. The group has also established an innovative membership scheme, which will give members reduced prices and a quarterly newsletter with full programme details of forthcoming attractions. Christine Marsh, chair of Devon Heartlands, said it was very rewarding to have had the opportunity to assist such a ?dynamic? community group. ?I look forward to a regular programme of films returning to Okehampton after an 18-month absence,? she said. Okehampton Moving Pictures has been made possible by the generous support of South West Screen, West Devon Borough Council, the EX20 Lottery and local businesses including Donald?s Menswear.
