MORE than 1,000 people took part in a town’s first ever film festival which is being credited with providing a boost to local business.

Organisers of the Eastleigh film festival have hailed it a success that boosted both the local creative industries and night time economy.

AMF Bowling, which hosted a big screen event, saw bar takings more than trebled on the night ad said the event had brought people to Eastleigh that otherwise would not have been there.

The week-long event included an industry day for aspiring filmmakers which featured professional development workshops given by experts.

Filmmakers also had the chance to shine in a short film competition where winners will get access to technology for their work alongside career guidance and mentoring.

They were Eastleigh’s Marina Morales Moya, for her film Stick, Steven Dorrington for his short A Fish Called Keith and French filmmaker Alice Gautier, for Self-Boxing.

The two UK based filmmakers will now get access to technology to create new work, career guidance, mentoring and business support.