A FILM about a man at a car boot sale finding a genie in a coffee percolator has given Evesham Movie Makers' Club its best competition success ever.

The group, which was founded in 1967, walked off with the Challenge Cup at the Spring Movie Festival in Derby for their comedy You Used to Get Three.

The title refers to the words of the genie explaining that due to cuts he could only offer two wishes to people who rubbed his coffee pot.

The film, written by club member Phil Davies and acted by members of the Bishampton Barnstormer and the Norwick Players, has also won several other awards in regional competitions.

Another recent film, Tangled Web, a murder mystery set in an estate agents, has also been successful. The tense thriller won a silver award at the Derby competition last year along with a gold diploma at the Cotswold International Film and Video Festival and will be shown at the Harrogate Festival later this month.

Club chairman Graham Corbett said: "We are getting better and better all the time. We have got more professional equipment and using computers for editing helps as well.

"We have been really pleased with our successes and we have many more competitions and festivals to look forward to."

There are currently about 15 people in the group, which meets on the first Friday of every month at the BBC Club at Wood Norton. The meetings are an opportunity for a social get together or to plan future projects. The movies themselves are filmed in the evenings or on weekends, whenever enough film-makers and actors are able to get together.

Mr Corbett said the club was very unusual because of the types of films it makes. "Most clubs only make documentaries but we are a rare commodity because we also make dramas and comedies as well."

Documentary making still has a place in the club's itinerary, as it can be a good way to create a whole film in just one day. Members recently spent a day on Severn Valley Railway and after a fine day out and slap-up meal had a movie in the bag. Next month members will be enjoying a day out in Stratford, again with a meal and a few drinks, and with a film to show for it afterwards.

The club's next film, Unfinished Business, will be a thriller about a woman who thinks she is being stalked, only to discover that the truth is even stranger.

Brian Bambury, who has been club secretary for 25 years, said that the business of making quality films did not get in the way of having fun. "We are serious about what we do and try to do the very best job that we can.

"But it is always important that we enjoy ourselves as we go along."

Although the club is thriving, new members are always welcomed to help with filming, acting, costume making, editing or any of the other skills needed on set. "We would particularly like to hear from any younger people who would like to get involved," said Mr Bambury.

For more information about the club, call Mr Corbett on 01386 45649 or log on to the movie making website at www.evesham-moviemakers.co.uk.