Leading figures in the Digital media industry will rub shoulders with hundreds of talented young hopefuls at the biggest festival of its kind in the UK.

The Brighton Digital Festival, which is held in November, is a celebration of how business, the arts, and community groups are harnessing new technologies.

Guests and sponsors were given a taste of the month-long event at an exclusive launch party at Hotel Pelirocco in Regency Square, Brighton, on Thursday.

Organisers said they were working on a "creative collaboration" with the Brighton Festival, which would begin in November and culminate in May next year.

The idea is to raise the profile of the Digital Festival by linking it to the biggest arts festival in England. Brighton and Hove is one of the UK's leading exponents of digital media, with a small army of web designers, animators, film makers and games developers.

Almost 1,500 companies, or one-in-five, fall into the "creative" category, with approximately half of those directly involved in digital media.

Many working in digital media are recognised as leaders in their field but because most work for very small companies or operate as sole traders their achievements tend to go unnoticed.

The festival, which is jointly run by new media support group Wired Sussex, Fabrica and the Sussex Community Internet Project, aims to address that.

Tara Solesbury, Wired Sussex project manager and festival organiser, said: "There are a lot of individuals in Sussex doing the most incredible things on the international stage who don't get recognised for their achievements.

"The festival is partly about raising their profile but more broadly it is about how businesses, arts and community groups are harnessing digital media to their advantage. It's all encompassing and that makes it unique.

"The festival is about putting Brighton and Hove on the map but this year we are keen to be more outward looking so we will be showcasing some African animation, which should be very exciting."

Highlights of the festival will include Dscape, a three-day animation event which includes a portfolio clinic where delegates can have their work judged by industry leaders.

Elsewhere, musicians can get involved in the Digital Music Challenge, an ambitious attempt to write, record and produce an entire album of music in 24 hours.

Internet surfers can nominate their favourite websites in the Brighton and Hove Web Awards, whose categories include best business site, best hotel site and best personal website.

Tony Miller, director of Cultural Services at Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "The Brighton Digital Festival is an excellent occasion for individuals and organisations to broaden the audience for their work.

"It is also a great opportunity to illustrate how the city has progressed in terms of the fusion of art, community and innovation."