THE Northern Echo has launched a new website dedicated to promoting foreign, independent and alternative film across the region.

The website, called Alternative Film, features previews, reviews, interviews and profiles of directors.

It has competitions, useful links and a feedback section. Many pieces by Steve Pratt, film writer at The Northern Echo, are also archived.

New media editor Sheelagh Caygill said: "There are lots of cinemas such as the Darlington Arts Centre, The Tyneside, and Middlesbrough UGC which are showing non-mainstream films, and we want to give these films a higher profile.

"We also want people to view this website as their site, and so we welcome discussion and reviews from filmgoers."

Log on to the new site at www.alternativefilm.co.uk