You can have the time of your life, get up in the morning slaving for bread and imagine you win the Jack Rabbit Slims jive competition at an inaugural film festival.

Tired of being in the shadows of the Crystal Palace International Film Festival, South Norwood and Thornton Heath have teamed up to stage their own.

The South Norwood and Thornton Heath Free Film Festival starts on Saturday and runs until next Friday, October 31.

Films include a singalong Dirty Dancing, a Quentin Tarantino double bill and some Halloween fun with Frankenweenie for children and An American Werewolf in London.

On music night the audience will be able to find out the story of Desmond Dekker from Desmond Dekker and The Aces as well as learning about dub step and rap battling.

Dekker was famous for co-writing and performing the song Israelites, but not as well known for being a Thornton Heath resident before his death from a heart attack in 2006, aged 64.

The festival was dreamed up by Roney Henderson and a team of volunteers from the area who got together earlier this year to start the planning.

They hope to make it an annual fixture and get more venues and more filmmakers involved every year.

Stanley Halls, Scratchley Halls, the Pawson Arms, the Lord Napier and the Lawn Tennis Club have all agreed to host events and participate in this week of events.

Renate Samson, from the festival team, said: “We look forward to welcoming everyone to this week of free entertainment.

Whether you are interested in the urban music scene, like a spot of romance in the afternoon, love the work of Quentin Tarantino, want to support local filmmakers, dress up and have the time of your life with Dirty Dancing or celebrate Halloween with some spooky films and activities, we hope you will find something to tempt you out of the house.

“The community has really pulled together to make the festival happen and we are very grateful for the support given to us from everyone in the area in helping us to create pop-up cinemas in local locations.

“The events are all entirely free, no tickets are required, just come along, sit back and relax and make the most of a week of film right on your doorstep.”

Go to www.freefilmfestivals.org/whats-on/south-norwood-thornton-heath.html for more details.