Site to help amateur film-makers

The Finnish film-makers distributed their Star Trek parody online

A group of film-makers behind a hit Star Trek spoof have said they plan to establish an online community for other directors and writers around the world.

The Finns' parody, Star Wreck: In the Pirkinning, was viewed by 3.5 million people in less than two months.

They spent very little and used their PCs to create elaborate special effects before putting the results online.

Now they hope their website can become a database of ideas and knowledge for the "smaller players" of cinema.

"The potential of the internet is enormous," said director Timo Vuorensola.

"If you're a Bulgarian film student, it might be an architect in Japan who could help you."

The spoof was viewed by 3.5 million people in less than two months

Increasing popularity

He added that it was hard for people from smaller countries to break into cinema "when Hollywood dominates 90 per cent of the whole movie industry".

However, the internet meant "if you do a good movie, it will fly", Mr Vuorensola said.

Homemade films have become increasingly popular following the introduction of cheap computer software which can replicate expensive recording studios and film sets.

Distribution can also be obtained cheaply by using peer-to-peer technologies such as BitTorrent.

Although major film studios are trying to combat online piracy, they are also looking at ways to use the internet to cut distribution costs and open up new markets.