A new type of film is being launched which its creators believe will revolutionise the cinema-going experience.

Instead of sitting down to watch the action, the audience will be invited to chill out, relax and meditate, with a bit of help from some specially-created images, words and music.

The 15-minute experience is the brainchild of Hove-based Meditainment, which is premiering the film in Brighton next month.

Producer and scriptwriter Richard Latham hopes it will go nationwide.

He said: "It is completely secular and people will be in total control of their experience. The atmosphere of 200 people meditating at the same time is very special.

"Some think of meditation as something best done alone but in a group, the experience includes a whole social dimension."

The session begins with the audience collecting glow sticks in a colour of their choice and settling down in the darkened cinema.

A series of choices about the journey they will take are then flashed on screen and people cast votes by raising their stick.

Options include being transported to a deserted beach, a city park, into space or to the depths of the ocean.

The audience then selects whether they want to get there by flying or travelling in time, accompanied by orchestral or ambient music and a male or female voice.

Once at their location, they can decide whether to concentrate on managing stress or motivating themselves.

After all the selections have been made, the audience is invited to relax, meditate and get the most from the whole calming experience.

Mr Latham said feedback from test audiences had been very positive.

He said: "Some just feel they have had a relaxing experience and have enjoyed it very much while a few have really gone into deep meditation.

"It is a very good communal event.

People were laughing and comparing votes with each other during the voting part at the beginning, especially over which voice to choose. Most of the men tend to go for the women's voice although the women's votes were a bit more mixed.

"The choice of flying was also very popular.

"Once everything was chosen and people were urged into a state of deep meditation, the audience really got involved."

Scott King, head of marketing and promotions, said: "It is something completely different. We are sure it will go down well in Brighton and Hove and will catch on across the UK."

The premiere is at Brighton Odeon on Wednesday, September 10, with two screenings from 8pm and another showing is planned for Saturday, September 13, at 10.30pm.

For more details or to book a ticket, call 01273 325136 or go to www.meditainment.com