STEVE Clayton has never lost his enthusiasm for the magic of the movies.
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The Dubbo City Council engineer loved the escapism offered by the big screen during childhood and in later years used a Super 8mm motion picture camera to bring his own stories to life.
"There's something incredibly special about movies and documentaries," Mr Clayton said.
"They broaden perspectives, offer glimpses into a wider world and transport people to amazing places."
Mr Clayton was still making movies when he came to Dubbo.
"A lot of preparation was involved and because I was doing it at an amateur level I had to improvise and be quite inventive," he said.
"Making movies was a great pastime but these days I prefer to enjoy film as an audience member."
Mr Clayton is president of Dubbo Film Society and looks forward to seeing non-mainstream cinema on a regular basis.
"The society was started in 1989 by a group of people interested in watching foreign language and art house type films," he said.
"Originally operating out of Orana Cinema, the film society later moved to Reading Cinemas.
"This year we decided to offer screenings at the 500-seat auditorium at Dubbo Regional Theatre.
"With the larger venue we have capacity to take more subscription members."
The society offers a double feature program at Sunday evening screenings held in May, August and November.
In July five films are screened during an all-day festival.
"The evening sessions have a catered interval so people can discuss the films," Mr Clayton said.
"Subscription members attend from Dubbo and the region. The type of films we show have generally been on theatre release in Sydney. They are well reviewed but are not something generally screened at Reading Cinemas.
"Some of the films we have shown so far this year include Ida, awarded best foreign language film at this year's Oscars; Pride which had a good run in Sydney; and Begin Again, an American musical comedy-drama.
"The movies lined up for our July 5 film festival are Still Alice, starring Julianne Moore; Charlie's Country, an Australian film with David Gulpilil; Finding Vivian Maier, a documentary about a renowned American street photographer; French film 2 Days and 1 Night; and Mr Turner, a colour-filled movie about English painter J.M.W. Turner."
Mr Clayton said film society members pay an $80 annual subscription fee.
During the July 5 film festival non-members will be able to purchase a $30 day pass.
There will be no charge for the Latin American Film Festival scheduled for August 29 and 30.
Further information about the Dubbo Film Society can be obtained by visiting dubbofilmsociety.com or contacting PO Box 1095, Dubbo, 2830.