A PILOT scheme to bring films back to Okehampton following the closure of the Carlton Cinema last year has been so successful it is hoping to go mobile, with the aim of taking movies out to rural areas. Moving Pictures was set up by Okehampton Market and Coastal Towns Initiative Locality Group. Over the past few months it has held several successful film evenings in Okehampton Charter Hall, using a modern projection system loaned by the Dorset Film Company. But the company is unable to continue supporting Moving Pictures after this December, so the group is aiming to buy its own equipment. The Rev Philip Wagstaff, of Moving Pictures, said: ?We?ve had a very good response from people in Okehampton, great support from the town council and people locally; the shops have been very good putting up posters for us. ?Now we want to develop it further, going out to villages within the MCTI area to start, maybe then looking to work with people like Beaford Arts.? The group estimates a quality system, including a DVD player, projector, video player, sound system and portable cinema screen will probably cost around £10,000. It has been given £1,000 towards the total from the EX20 Lottery, but would welcome any suggestions for funding streams. ?We are looking to various trusts and organisations locally and regionally to see what might be available,? said Mr Wagstaff. He added that the group would welcome any new volunteers who might wish to get involved with the project. ?We have a very good group of volunteers who are there for front of house, selling refreshments etc, but obviously we will always be on the look out for more people who are interested.? Mr Wagstaff said the group ultimately would like to build up its own team of projectionists. There will be an opportunity to find out more about the Moving Pictures group at its first annual meeting, which is due to be held on Monday January 10 at 7pm in the Ockment Centre. l On Wednesday December 8, the group is showing The Bourne Supremacy at the Charter Hall. All tickets cost £3.75 and are available on the door or in advance from Millennium Music in The Arcade, Okehampton. Remember to bring a cushion for comfort! Details of future films can be found on the website at http://www.okemovingpictures.org">www.okemovingpictures.org
