The curtain is set to rise on an Oxfordshire film festival that is hoping to inspire hundreds of youngsters to take up careers in movie-making.

The Summerscreen Film Festival, which allows kids to try their hands at directing, sound, lighting and animation, is hoping to encourage the next generation to fulfil their dreams of being the next Spielberg or Nick Park.

The festival - run by Oxford Film and Video Makers - will see 15 creative workshops for eight- to 19-year-olds take place across the county from July 26 and a screening of short films from refugees, homeless people and young carers living in Oxfordshire.

Free outdoor showings of The Spiderwick Chronicles, The Golden Compass and The Simpsons Movie will also take place on a 12ft by 9ft screen at parks in Oxford and Wantage.

And festival organisers are hoping for better weather for the fifth annual Summerscreen as last July's showing of Flushed Away in Hinksey Park was washed out by torrential rain.

Festival lead co-ordinator Geron Swann said: "Summerscreen is bigger than it's ever been before.

"We're trying to ignite a spark of interest and enthusiasm for film and, you never know, it might be the start of a wonderful career for the next Kubrick or Spielberg.

"People think there's only directing or acting involved in films, but there's a whole industry in movies.

"People will get an idea of the other kinds of jobs - like animation, photography and special effects - that are available."

Organisers expect more than 400 people will turn up to watch the outdoor movies, which will also see a young film crew interviewing kids about what they like about their local parks.

Mr Swann, centre director of OVFM based in Catherine Street, East Oxford, said: "The screenings are just a great outdoors family evening.

"A trip to the cinema for the whole family can set you back £20 these days and not everyone can afford that.

"If you come to a park you can watch a pretty recent film under the stars which is a lovely way to watch a movie - completely different from squeezing into a cinema seat."

The festival will culminate with a Best of the Fest screening at the Phoenix Picturehouse in Walton Street, Oxford, where children's cinematic creations will be on show.

Festival co-ordinator Mairead Albiston said: "The Best of the Fest is always packed out.

"It's a great way of ending the festival and people love to see their work on the big screen. It gives them the feeling that anything is possible."

Summerscreen screenings (funded by Screen South, Oxford City Council and the National Lottery) will be: Saturday, July 26 - The Spiderwick Chronicles in Hinksey Park, Oxford. 9.15pm.

Wednesday, July 30 - Get the message!, a series of films by refugees, homeless people and young carers showing at the OVFM, Catherine Street, East Oxford. 7pm-9pm.

Saturday, August 2 - The Simpsons Movie, Bury Knowle Park, Oxford. 9.15pm.

Saturday, August 2 - The Golden Compass, Memorial Park, Wantage. 9.15pm.

Sunday, August 3 - Best of the Fest at the Phoenix Picturehouse, Walton Street, Oxford. 7.15pm-8.45pm.

For workshop details go to www.ovfm.org/summerscreen