THE Southern Downs will feature on the silver screen this Saturday night as locally-produced film Gunsmauch is shown at Freestone Hall's Movie Night.

Creator Chris Mauch said the short film featured some unexpected twists and suspenseful moments.

"There are a couple of brothers who are working on a farm," he said.

"They were running cattle and had to track some down.

"But then they catch up with all these bad guys."

Mr Mauch is currently working on another film, which he says will be bigger and better.

"The new film we are doing is a full-length; Gunsmauch is about 40 minutes," he said.

"It is a lot more professionalised, with proper scenes, sets and costumes."

Mr Mauch said working on the new movie was a big learning curve.

"Personally I've found it very challenging," he said.

"I've been taken out of my comfort zone in some kind of way.

"It's been an interesting journey and I have learnt a lot."

Making a film is an extremely long process, Mr Mauch said.

"It takes so much time," he said.

"In a 16-hour shoot, we can maybe use only three or four minutes of really good footage."

Mr Mauch, who has a background in martial arts, said he choreographed all the fight scenes himself.

"I've spent countless hours designing fight scenes," he said.

"We need to figure out all the right angles to be practical and for the cameras to work."

Mr Mauch said his dad was an inspiration for him to become a filmmaker.

"It's something we are just doing, we started it and now we're seeing it through," he said.

"I remember watching Dad as a kid on the old Super 8 film up on the wall."

The new movie should be released mid-2014, and Mr Mauch said there could be a secret preview for those coming along to the Freestone Hall Movie Night this Saturday.

"They can get an inside glimpse to the new film," he said.

"We will show a little piece of raw footage."

Have you always wanted to do some acting?

Now is your chance as Mr Mauch is calling out for local actors. "We are still looking for about three or four people," he said.

"Age is open, from about 18 to 60 and no experience is needed."

Call 0437 241 315 if you're interested.

WATCH IT

 Movie night

Includes screening of Gunsmauch

 Where

Freestone Hall

  When

This Saturday, 7pm sharp

 Cost

Adults $10, students $5 or families $20.