A YOUNG couple who set up a production company after winning at last year's Swale Film Festival will return to inspire this year's entrants.

Holly Jarrett and Kelvin Packham, both 22 and of Solomons Lane, Faversham, were crowned overall winners of the 2009 youth competition, where people aged between 11 and 23 were challenged to direct, produce and film their own short movie.

As well as helping to judge this year's competition and presenting the award for emerging filmmaker, they will be running workshops throughout the festival, teaching children the secrets of successful film-making.

Kelvin said: "Winning the award has been really good for us so it's nice to get on board and do something for the community."

The pair won with a gangster film that formed part of Kelvin's dissertation for his degree in film technology at Staffordshire University.

Eidos was one of three works where Kelvin attempted to change the style of the same piece of film through editing, altering factors such as colour and music.

Holly and Kelvin, now co-directors of video production company Aether Productions, won a trip to world famous Pinewood Studios in Buckinghamshire, which they said was inspirational and earned them numerous contacts.

Holly, who has a degree in radio, film and television from Canterbury Christ Church University, added: "We went to the Dragons' Den set and saw Peter Jones's notebook on the table – they actually write in them."

The pair met as pupils at Westlands School in Sittingbourne and they credit then media studies teacher Matt Lewis with inspiring their interest in film.

They hope to be involved in future Swale Film Festivals and intend to use the marketing skills they learnt at university to promote the event to a wider audience.

Holly and Kelvin were at the official launch of the Swale Film Festival at Sittingbourne's Avenue Theatre last Wednesday.

Committee members and guests watched trailers and got an insight into some of the festival events.

Among other things, The Avenue Theatre will play host to A Dream Flight, portraying Sheppey's aviation history, and various short films put together by Sittingbourne's Skillnet Group, supporting people with learning difficulties.

Blue Town Heritage Centre in Sheerness will show Robin Hood, starring Russell Crowe, and Dunkirk with John Mills.

A French-themed night will be held at Creek Creative in Abbey Street, Faversham, where guests can enjoy cheese and wine while watching The Red Balloon and other continental creations.

A full programme of events will be on the website, in box above, soon.