QUESTION: what sort of film can you make for £2,000?

Answer: a very good one if you’re Marco Zaffino.

The Almondbury-based director, producer and actor already grabbed a super-prestigious International Independent Film Festival (IIFF) award for his 2002 debut The Veranda.

Now he’s finished Kino – a surreal thriller which debuts at the Peacock Lounge, Viaduct Street, on September 30 (7.30pm doors).

Zaffino’s fourth feature-length movie chronicles two bored pen-pushers Betty (Kimberley Sykes) and Simon (Greg James Hull) who go online to meet unusual people.

Soon they meet Kino (John Dwyer), a filmmaker with unorthodox and extreme methods, and his acolytes.

The two become part of Kino’s latest project but soon realise they may not make it to the premiere alive.

Kino examines the relationship between the real world and social cyberspace (e.g. Facebook, MySpace), obsessions and the thrill of finding something unusual.

The film was shot over the summer in Huddersfield, Holmfirth, Outlane, North Yorkshire and London.

Kino is made using what Zaffino calls ‘guerilla filmmaking’; there are no hi-tech cameras, torches are used in place of spotlights, the crew – as well as the cast – are clearly visible.

Money from the film came from Zaffino’s pocket – he co-runs Doodles Out of School Club, Almondbury as a ‘day job’.

The film, naturally, will be released on Zaffino’s own Minstrel Wall Eye label.

To cut costs, he says favours were granted and possibly a few arms twisted.

It’s a way of making a ‘no budget’ film that’s credible. It celebrates its ultra-low budget instead of, fruitlessly, trying to disguise it.

After picking up an IIFF award in Los Angeles for his debut, how does Zaffino feel about the potential for his latest work?

Zaffino says: “This is the first film I feel really confident in trying to sell.

“Unless you have a famous name actor it’s very difficult to get attention.

“At film festivals you’re up against international competition. I’m very interested in seeing what I can do pushing and passing it out myself.

“I’m enamoured with moments in the last three films but this is a no budget film that’s achieved something quite special.

“The moors are my studio. I’m very proud of being from here.

“It’s the businessmen and businesswoman who have supported us with time and energy. It’s the kind of backing that would otherwise cost thousands. I’m very grateful to these people.

Kino will be released on Minstrel Wall Eye DVD. For details see the website www.minstrelwalleye.co.uk