A film shot on a shoestring budget has been screened in front of an international audience.

Brighton-based romantic comedy Venus And Mars, which cost just £1,000 when it was filmed two years ago, received critical acclaim when it was featured as part of the Berlin Film Festival.

The 90-minute movie was shortlisted for the Britspotting 2003 event with 19 other British features, documentaries and short films. It was shown at the 2002 Brighton Fringe Film festival and the Hastings Film festival.

Producer Ben Beaumont, director Kieron Butler and lead actor Chris Gentleman, all 30, enjoyed the type of showbiz party life they could only dream of while struggling to complete the picture.

Mr Beaumont said: "When people heard we were going to make a feature film having never done one, most never believed we were serious.

"Going to the festival meant it suddenly felt like we were proper film makers rather than just people playing around."

Venus And Mars compared favourably to well-known work such as the Robbie Williams documentary Nobody Someday and hard-hitting drama Out Of Control, shown on television recently starring former EastEnder Tamzin Outhwaite.

Mr Beaumont said: "Venus And Mars is certainly not a Hollywood movie but is a fun little feature. There is a real Brighton feel to it."

Mr Beaumont and Mr Butler are working on their next project.

It will be called All The Young Dudes and feature the music of local band Acoustic House Party Happiness.

They have some funding from Screen South, the regional arm of the Film Council but are looking for more investors.

Anyone interested in helping can contact Mr Beaumont on 07941 241249. More information on Venus And Mars is available at www.venusandmarsthemovie.com There is a chance to see their work at Final Cut, on the final Thursday of each month at 8pm in the Hanbury Ballrooms, Paston Place, Brighton.