Earlier this year, filmmakers from across the world submitted their short films to a brand new competition.

Those shortlisted will be screened on Saturday, at the inaugural Watford Short Film Festival.

The event, at the Watford Museum, is funded through the council’s Small Grants Fund and allows budding filmmakers the opportunity to enter their short film for an award.

The festival is the brainchild of former West Herts College student James Dyer, who is a graduate of the Northern Film School at Leeds Beckett University. One of his own short films, Home Town, was shown on Watford Borough Council’s Big Screen on the Beach – an outdoor cinema in the town centre – last summer. The production celebrated Watford and its landmarks, history and importance as a UK destination. Categories in the short film festival will include the Watford Award – covering all submissions shot within the Watford area.

James said: "Watford is becoming more and more of a cultural town. You can see that the council is definitely pushing to increase the cultural scene within the town. I thought a film festival could really help with that and attract a fair bit of tourism. The Warner Bros Studio Tour is already attached to our local brand. I thought Watford could be a fantastic place for people both nationally and locally to showcase their work."

Award categories include Best Drama, Best Documentary, Best Animation and the Watford Award. An expert judging panel will present the best film from each category with an award at the end of the festival. There will also be a separate Audience Award, where the winners for each category will be chosen by people attending the short film festival.

Cllr Karen Collett, cabinet member for community, says: “We’re really excited to support Watford’s first Short Film Festival. Please do come along and watch the shortlist of submissions. There’s also an Audience Award, so you can vote for your favourite. We hope this short film festival will help launch successful careers for many aspiring actors, writers and film-makers.”

Submissions will be shown on Saturday from 12.30pm, throughout the afternoon and at Watford Pump House Theatre from 1.30pm, with the awards being presented at 8.30pm.

Find out the full schedule: facebook.com/WatfordShortFilmFestival