A series of celluloid screenings has been launched after Brighton Festival organisers axed films from the programme.

The Brighton Fringe Film Festival will run alongside the main arts event in May and will showcase new Sussex talent.

It was set up by Brighton-based production companies, including Ignition Network, Junk TV, Cinematheque, Big Bamboo and Hothouse.

Ignition co-ordinator Gary Barber said: "There are two reasons why we started this festival.

"One of them is the Brighton Festival is no longer dealing with film at all.

"The coverage of film has been dwindling and this year there is no mention.

"The Brighton Festival is music, dance and theatre. This is fine but it means film will have to stand alone.

"The second reason is there are so many film organisations in Brighton and it seemed a good idea to get together."

The festival has received funding from Screen South, an organisation which supports up-and-coming film-makers.

It will include screenings of films shot around the city and an evening with Skint Records founder Damian Harris. He will be showing videos by Hove-based DJ Fatboy Slim.

City businesses have offered support for the festival, with screenings being held at the Duke of York's Cinema, the Old Ship Hotel and the Sanctuary Cafe.

Industry professionals have also been invited to an awards ceremony for Brighton Film School students.

Tim Brown, education officer at the Duke of York's, said: "We are happy to be involved.

"It will be a showcase for all the varied and interesting work being produced.

"It's a shame Brighton Festival, which promotes other art forms, is not promoting film."

Brighton Festival Press officer Caroll Pinkham said film screenings were no longer on the schedule due to limited funds.

She added: "We made a decision to focus on the live arts."

For more information, email brightonfringefilm@hotmail.com