IN COMMUNITIES across Devon, people are flocking to their village halls to catch the latest film releases.

Forget the multiplex cinemas, the promise of a good film yards from your front door, not to mention the coffee and chocolate cake, is drawing in the punters.

'Moving Pictures' was an initiative started by Beaford Arts in North Devon three years ago on a trial basis, but was so popular many villages halls are now showing films on a monthly basis.

The village hall cinema explosion is now moving into West Devon and Sticklepath is the first venue to be treated to 'Calendar Girls' on the big screen tonight (Thursday.)

The film, which has attracted more than 100 viewers to some village halls, has enabled Moving Pictures to make its first profit.

The scheme receives funding from county and district councils and arts organisations and takes an 80% cut from the box office with the remaining 20% going back into the community.

Project co-ordinator Bill Grainger said there was a big demand: 'At the moment we are out showing films three times a week and we have a special exemption certificate so village halls do not have to have a cinema licence.

'We turn up in a van which contains the folding 10ft by 7.5ft screen, video projector and sound system and we can project anything that is available commercially on DVD or video, chosen by the villagers themselves.'

Often the cinema goers really get into the swing and dress up for the occasion — in Petrockstowe villagers wore hats and strings of pearls for Calendar Girls and some parishes have requested the old romantic films like Casablanca or the return of the silent movies like Laurel and Hardy.

'We rent the films from a co-operative called Filmbank which means we get copies three to four weeks before they go on general release,' added Mr Grainger.

'This project has really taken off because cinemas are often located long distances from rural areas and many residents, especially the elderly ones, do not have the means or the inclination to travel this far for entertainment.

'The village cinema is a walk down the street and you can have a chat with your friends and neighbours whilst enjoying a cup of coffee and cakes in the interval - some halls even provide ice cream!'

With the Carlton Cinema in Okehampton currently closed and up for auction later this month, Moving Pictures is keen to offer an outlet for film lovers in the area. But Mr Grainger said the mobile cinema would never tread on anyone's toes: 'We never move into an area which has a commercial venue or a film society doing a similar thing to us,' he added.

Secretary of Sticklepath Village Hall Peter Williams said as well as a great evening of entertainment, the event would generate funds for the hall which was in the middle of a refurbishment.

'Judging by the reaction so far we are going to have a good attendance,' he said. 'Everyone thinks it is a super idea and if it is successful here we shall be requesting a return visit later in the year.'

Any village hall committees who would like a visit from Moving Pictures can call Beaford Arts on 01805 603201.