Highland filmmaker showcase to make notable ‘first’ at Eden Court event in Inverness
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Filmmakers across the Highlands will get to showcase their works on the big screen this week - when Eden Court in Inverness plays host to the first ever event through its Filmlands talent network.
The network was set up to connect filmmakers in Inverness and across the Highlands and islands.
And the fruits of that will be on show to film fans when Eden Court and the 48 Hour Film Project present the Inverness Shorts Showcase this coming Saturday (April 13).
Filmlands was set up to provide opportunities for emerging filmmakers in the region to build connections with like-minded people across the area in the hope of fostering filmmaking and boosting support for creative production.
Its advocates saw the initiative was informed by similar filmmaking networks in the central belt such as Café Flicker and Film Loop.
Drew Tremlett, engagement producer in film at Eden Court, explained that Filmlands is intended to be a place for emerging filmmakers to meet, connect, share and develop ideas, stories and scripts, while also developing their own filmmiaking - all in a safe space focussing on peer support and the exchange of dialogue.
Drew said: “What we would like to achieve through Filmlandsto is provide an opportunity for emerging and working filmmakers to meet, foster creative conversations as well as hopefully work collaboratively to produce new Highland film projects.
“There is such a wealth of creative filmmaking talent in the Highlands and Islands region and currently many often feel that they need to move away to achieve their filmmaking ambitions. If FILMLANDS can help to address this creative exodus even just a little, then this can only be a good thing.
“The Inverness Shorts Showcase is the first of many short film screening events we are planning that will provide audiences with an opportunity to see new Highland short films made by Highland filmmakers. And we are delighted that the 48 Hour Film Project are supporting the network and are bringing their international filmmaking competition the Highlands for the first time ever this July.”
At the showcase, the 48 Hour Film Project will present Balmaha by deaf filmmaker Ruaridh Lever-Hogg, from the Highlands, who made the hilarious dark comedy with a deaf cast and crew.
The 48 Hour Film Project is Scotland's biggest filmmaking event, with competitions in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and this year for the first time ever, in Inverness this July.
They will challenge filmmakers from Inverness, the Highlands and Islands to make a film over the July 19-21 weekend. All films will then be screened at Eden Court and judged by industry professionals. The winning filmmaker will win funds to attend Filmapalooza in Seattle, Washington, USA in March next year.
The winning filmmakers from last year's Edinburgh and Glasgow competitions have just returned from Filmapalooza in Lisbon, where they were runner-up for best film. Their film, "Life's a Beach", will be screened at Cannes this May as part of the 48 Hour Film Project. It is very possible that the Inverness winner could be screened at Cannes in 2025!
The 48 Hour Film Project is produced by husband and wife Sam Goldblatt and Louise Knowles.
Louise Knowles said: "We've just returned from Filmapalooza in Lisbon, Portugal, where we brought 15 filmmakers from Scotland to showcase their work on the global stage.
“One of the teams is showing their film at Cannes next month! We can't wait to meet filmmakers in Inverness, the Highlands and Islands and showcase their work first at Eden Court, and then at Filmaplooza!"
With tickets only £5 a sellout is already expected for this highly anticipated event.
To book tickets to April 13’s Filmlands’ Inverness Shorts Showcase go to https://eden-court.co.uk/event/inverness-shorts-showcase.
