SHIFC | News Archive | Highland Scotland Locations | Scottish Highlands & Islands Film Commission

Each year MEDIA Antenna Scotland holds a series of presentations around the country to inform companies and individuals, working in the commercial film, television, and new media industries in Scotland, of the European and international opportunities available from the MEDIA Programme of the European Union. These include funding for project development, distribution, promotion, exhibition, and access to professional training and networking events, markets and festivals. This year's MEDIA Roadshow will take place on the following dates:

If you would like to recieve further details and to register your name for one of the dates, please contact MEDIA on 0141 302 1777 or e-mail [email protected]

Broadcast LIVE 2006

Exciting new business opportunities are opening up across the content chain in HD, IPTV, desktop-editing and mobile TV. Brought to you by Broadcast magazine, Broadcast LIVE is the new exhibition and conference to address these issues and the future of the industry. Why attend?

Taking place 20-22 June 2006 at London's Earl's Court 2, Broadcast LIVE will feature an exhibition, conference and free session programme attracting the very top industry decision-makers.

Broadcast LIVE will highlight and embrace the business opportunities across the whole content chain in creation, management and delivery. For more information and to register visit the website at www.broadcastlive.co.uk

BECTU Freelances' Fair

TV and film workers are being invited to attend BECTU's Freelance Fair in June. Union members and non-members will be equally welcome, and ITV, Skillset, and BAFTA, are among the organisations backing the freelance fair, due to be held in London on Friday 9th June.

Billed as "a chance to meet industry professionals and question them on everything you wanted to know but were afraid to ask", the event features four expert seminars on subjects ranging from starting out as a freelancer, to the impact of last year's TV Wrap campaign among Soho runners.

The day is due to finish with a social get-together where freelancers will be able to network with each other, and some of the industry's heavyweights. Entry to the fair is free to everyone, and freelancers who are not currently BECTU members will be able to join the union on the day with a 25% discount on their first year's membership.

Full details of the Freeances' Fair are: 1pm on June 9 at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly, London, W1J 9LN. The event organisers can be contacted via: [email protected]. Although registration is not necessary - attendees can just turn up on the day - space at the seminars is limited, and anyone interested in joining in is advised to register. Click here for the event flyer (pdf)

12th May 2006

*Update* "So You Want To Write TV Drama?" *Update*

28th April 2006

Inverness Public Art - Call for Artists

To spearhead the Inverness City Centre Streetscaping Improvements, lead artist Matt Barker is organising a multi-faceted public art event to take place in late summer 2006. Six exciting projects will be commissioned to occur simultaneously, with an emphasis on engaging community groups and changing perceptions of the city centre.

If you are a filmmaker, writer or artist interested in developing a project and/or participating in this unique event, please send your CV, contact information and 3-4 images (less than 400kb each!) or weblinks to Inverness Public Art Co-ordinator at [email protected] or Evi Westmore, Inverness City Partnership, 20 Bank Street, Inverness IV1 1QU.

18th April 2006

Podcasting Workshops: Inverness & Portree

The word 'Podcast' is being used in the media on a seemingly daily basis, but how many of us know what it actually is, or that it is easy to make one yourself! Channel 4 IDEASFACTORY, An Tuireann Arts Centre, and Highland Print Studio are joining forces to debunk the mystery of the podcast and show how easy it is to make your own. For an introduction to how to make your own podcast and develop new podcasting skills, over 16s are being invited to sign up for one of the places on the Pocasting Workshops on:

12th April 2006

Wonderful Highlands & Islands

The Seven Wonders of Scotland as voted for by readers of The Scotsman have now been announced. Topping the poll is the Forth Bridge but locations in the Highlands & Islands Film Commission area are very well represented in the top thirty list.

Other non-geographical entries which are well represented within the Highlands & islands are: Single Malt Whisky (2); the Kilt (6); the light and sky of Scotland (7); golf (15=); and the Scottish wildlife (20). For the full list and supporting articles visit: heritage.scotsman.com/wonders.cfm

10th April 2006

Channel 4 Researcher Training Programme

The Channel 4 Researcher Training programme, now in its 4th year, is looking for 10 bright and enthusiastic entry-level researchers.

The Channel 4, Researcher Training Programme is a collaboration between the channel and its suppliers.

This initiative is aimed at minority ethnic communities as they are currently under represented in television and is a unique opportunity for new talent to enter the industry at ground level, learn the ropes and the skills necessary to be a researcher.

The scheme provides 12 months on the job training for college and university leavers at an independent production company as well as additional training sessions at CH4. For further information and to apply click here

28th March 2006

Stornoway screening for 14 Days in Great Britain

A new documentary, 14 Days in Great Britain, will receive its Scottish premiere at Stornoways An Lanntair Arts Centre on Monday May 15th at 7pm. The documentary, which filmed at locations across Great Britain including Stornoway and Inverness, is the second in a large scale plan to examine those things which can unite people across the world: their ambitions, their aspirations and their needs.

For further information about the screening call 01851 703307 or click here and to learn more about the 14 Days Project visit www.14daysproject.com

DFG Films and Five News Launch New Directors Initiative, Five Bites

DFG Films and Five News have joined forces to produce "Five Bites", an exciting and innovative new short documentary scheme, which encourages emerging and independent filmmakers to make their mark on Britain's news.

Five Bites represents a real break into the world of news and current affairs for independent filmmakers, producing 5 x 3 minute, topical domestic news pieces for transmission on Five News in summer 2006. We are looking for strong, contemporary and domestic story lines, from both London and the regions. The emphasis is on the cultural richness and diversity of Britain, and films must be suitable for shooting on a tight budget and schedule, and must be no longer than three minutes.

DFG is inviting applications for proposals for one 3-minute film to be delivered in digital-format, portraying the richness and diversity of voices and sources present in the UK. A short intensive training programme will be attached to the scheme and it is compulsory that all selected filmmakers take part in the programme.

5 films will be commissioned. For application guidelines and an application form please visit http://www.dfglondon.com/fivebites.php or contact Lucy Baxter on 0207 428 0882.

22nd March 2006

"So You Want To Write TV Drama?"

A practical guide for new writers on how to get their first break. British TV is currently producing some of the best drama seen in years and broadcasters are searching for more unique voices from throughout the UK to tell their stories. Could that be you? Now is your chance to find out as the acclaimed "So You Want To Write TV Drama?" class heads North in June.

Previous participants have commented: "Totally practical, relevant and specific." "Essential, I learned more in one day than I did in 4 years at University." "I came away so inspired and that feeling has not left me."

Presented by award winning writer and director Adrian Mead this class is suited to both beginners and writers with experience in other disciplines.

You may attend because you are curious to find out if you could write for your favourite show. You may wish to adapt your own novel, short story or poem for the screen. Or it may simply be the fact that you realise that TV drama is one of the most lucrative areas of employment open to writers. Whatever your reasons for attending, by the end of this 1 day class you will have learnt what most new writers spend 2-3 years struggling to find out.

CLASS DATES:

Saturday 3rd June, Kirkwall, Orkney.

Saturday 10th June, Inverness.

Cost: £40.00 incl. VAT and refreshments

For more information please contact [email protected]

A FREE 15 page booklet of the kind of tips that Adrian passes on during the class is now available from [email protected]

3rd March 2006

Celtic Film & Television Festival Programme Online

The programme for this year's Celtic Film & Television Festival in Falmouth, Cornwall has now bee published online. One of the highlights of this year's festival will be the presence of Ken Loach. Mr Loach will discuss his influences, his successful writing partnerships and his career to date. To view the complete programme click here Festival Programme

2nd March 2006

Creative Tourism Conference

'What's Your Story?' The Creative Tourism Conference offers a groundbreaking opportunity for collaboration between the tourism and creative industries. Sponsored by Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the event aims to cultivate the next generation of tourism attractions by building stronger commercial links between Scotland's biggest industry and one of its most dynamic.

On Friday 10th of March from 9.30am till 4:15pm at the Tulloch Castle Hotel (Dingwall). A buffet lunch and drinks at the bar will be provided. Attendance is free for creative and tourism professionals. To register your place online visit http://www.solas-biz.co.uk or book by emailing [email protected]. More information is also available at http://www.aim-hi.org/creativetourism2.html

Animate! TV 2006 Call for Submissions

Animators and artists with experience of experimental practise in film, video & digital media, are being invited to apply for funding through Animate! TV 2006. Funding is available for personal projects for television, with running times of up to six minutes and production budgets between £5,000 and £20,000. The individual works will receive their premieres on Channel 4 in autumn 2007 with an Animate! TV compilation programme, and then enjoy a long and highly visible international profile. The closing date for applications is the 31st of March 2006. For further information visit http://www.animateonline.org/funding/

10th February 2006

Online Registration now open

Online registration for this years Celtic Film & Television Festival is now open via the festival website. Details on travel and accommodation and information about the host city, Falmouth in Cornwall, can also be found on the site.

3rd February 2006

New Entrants Training Scheme

29th August 2005

Ideas Factory event

A reminder (see Three Minute Wonder in the News Archive) for budding film-makers that Ideas Factory Scotland's TAKE 1 & 2 event takes place on Thursday 8th September, at the Floral Hall in Inverness from 10am - 12noon, and it's free! More details can be found at the Ideas Factory Scotland website

15th August 2005

BAFTA Scotland 2005

The BAFTA Scotland Awards will be taking place once again in November of this year and entris are now bieing accepted for film, television, interactive media and new talent.

Work which meets the criteria and has been made between September 2004 and September 2005 will be considered. For a full list of categories, criteria and to download entry forms please visit the website: BAFTA Scotland

Over recent years, a number of Bafta Scotland winners have gone on to considerable achievements in film and television throughout the UK and world wide. Scottish productiion companies, actors, writers, film and programme directors, producers, designers and technical crews have earned themselves a powerful reputation for integrity and ability, both nationally and internationally. BAFTA Scotland, through its numerous industry events, works hard to maintain Scotland's screens industry profile by rewarding and promoting our many talens at every opportunity.

For more information regarding all aspects of the awards please contact them by telephone on 0141 302 1770 or by e-mail on [email protected]

NB. All entries will be subject to the approval of the BAFTA Scotland Committee. The decisions of the juries are final.

18th July 2005

New Gaelic Comedy

Comadaidh Oir (Comedy Gold) is coming to Skye and the Outer Hebrides. This new six-part television series for the BBC, transmitting in November, follows six new and aspiring comedy writers in their quest to become the Comedy Queen or King.

The show will follow the tour bus as it journeys around Scotland, as each week the six compete to have a live audience vote their sketches the best, with the nights of the recordings accompanied by a ceilidh band.

The Channel Four British Documentary Film Foundation

This new body for the promotion of British documentary filmmaking launches this month. Aiming to build on recent successes of both film and television documentaries Channel 4 has committed £2.6 million over the next three years to the development and production of new non-fiction works.

As well as directly funding films, the foundation will offer training and arrange mentoring where appropriate to filmmakers; this will be coupled with practical help and advice on how best to ensure that films can be seen by the right people once they are completed.

And finally...

A warning to filmmakers planning to set stories in the Highlands, you work is being scrutinised! The following short piece appeared in the Inverness Courier (15/07/2005):

To avoid these simple errors get in touch and we will endeavour to keep you right!

4th July 2005

MEDIA supported Training Courses

Dealines are rapidly approaching for forthcoming MEDIA supported training event in the UK. Those of you who would like to attend an event this year are strongly advised to get your skates on! In order of deadline imminence the UK courses are:

Further information can be found at the MEDIA website, for advice on bursaries contact MEDIA Antenna Scotland at [email protected]

26th May 2005

News from Cannes

The team is back from Cannes with tales of premieres and pool-parties, a full report to follow! But first a quick mention for one of the films making its debut at the festival; Christian Carion's Joyeux Noel. Inspired by the 1914 Christmas truce during the First World War the story is revealed through the eyes of four European nationals all caught up in the events: a Scottish minister (Gary Lewis), a French lieutenant (Guillaume Canet), a German tenor (Benno Furmann), and a Danish soprano (Diane Kruger).

A number of locations for the production were found far from Flanders Fields in our very own Highlands. Most notably Cille Choirill Roman Catholic Church (above) in Badennoch & Strathspey and a number of Lochaber locations, where the production also made use of the locally available skills. The film has recently been acquired for American, British, Italian and South African distribution by Sony Picture Classics, so look out for a UK release.

Three Minute Wonder

Channel 4's Three Minute Wonder slot at 7.55pm offers young and emerging filmmakers the chance to be commissioned for a prime time slot. Three Minute Wonder shows a different series each week - a series usually being made up of 4 programmes - and comes with a fixed commissioning budget. C4 want to encourage new styles of filmmaking but above all films should be engaging and inventive in form. The Three Minute Wonder Commissioner is coming to Inverness in September to explain what kind of work she is looking for, to show some of the films that have recently been screened, and answer questions on how to get your work seen on C4 or develop ideas for the Three Minute Wonder slot. The seminar will take place in Inverness, venue to be confirmed, on Thursday 8th of September.

10th May 2005

Orange Play Writing Prize

The Playwright's Studio is looking for entries for its new competition: The Orange Play Writing Prize. The competition will be judged in two categories, 14-18 year olds and 18+ with the winners in each category having their play performed at Oran Mor, Glasgow. Workshops on writing short plays will be held across Scotland with five of these in our area: Ullapool (4th June), Inverness (5th June), Mull (11th June), Kirkwall (2nd July)and Thurso (3rd July).

9th May 2005

The first trailer for the latest in the Harry Potter franchise has hit the internet in the build-up to its Christmas release. Once again the teenage wizard and friends are backed by the dramatic Highland landscapes now so familiar in creating the atmosphere for this blockbusting series. Click for a brief taste: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Studio Alba on the Outer Hebrides, the only studio facility in our area, is currently in the process of up-grading its technical capabilities. Since its establishment in 1995 and its opening in 1996, Studio Alba has been successfully meeting the requirements of the 1996 Broadcasting Act's commitment to Gaelic digital programming as well as cultivating a healthy home grown production base. The studio has also been home to a wide range of incoming productions including dramas, light entertainment and childrens' programmes; and amongst recent clients are Tern Television, Saltire Films, Deer Park Films, Secret Music and Falcon Films.

With the latest technical addition to the studio's facilities of two subtitling stations which will enable the encoding of DVB subtitles to new programmes, making productions accessible to an even greater audience. This new equipment will stand alongside the existing lighting rig, digital editing suites and the newly installed chromakey floor. All of which adds up to a first rate production facility for the north of Scotland. Click here to find out more: Studio Alba website

And last but never least the Cannes Film Festival is upon us once more and again the Scottish Highlands & Islands Film Commission office will be a significant presence within the festival's Scottish contigent. As in previous years we will be joined in Cannes by local businesses whose services are geared towards supporting and promoting media production in the Highlands & Islands area. These are: Alba Connections, Argyll Catering, Camcast, Strategic Integration and Tomatin Distillery. Additional sponsorship for our presence in Cannes has been provided by Chisholm's Highland Dress, Fionnar, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Jacobite - Experience Loch Ness and Scotbake

29th March 2005

Welcome to the latest round of SHIFC news first off we are disappointed to report that Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban missed out on winning in its Oscar nomination categories. On to happier news though and the 2005 Celtic Film and Television Festival kicks off on 6 April and is hosted this year by Cardiff. Events are set to include: An audience with actor Rhys Ifans; an interview with writer Russell T. Davis; discussion of media across the Celtic areas; presentations and master classes from industry professionals and much more. For details of events and how to book visit www.celticfilm.co.uk

Scottish Screen is currently seeking applications to its Rural Cinema Development Fund. The aim of the project is to develop audiences, create links with education and other groups across the community. The sum of £15,000 is available per year for two years; the rural partner would be expected to contribute 25% in cash and 15% in king through staff resources. Details and application forms are available on the Scottish Screen website: APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED

Ofcom have announced two new appointments to the Gaelic Media Service (GMS). Donald Campbell and Donald Mackay, both from the Western Isles and fluent Gaelic speakers, joined the board on 1 February 2005. These appointments bring the GMS up to its full compliment of twelve. The GMS works with broadcasters to ensure the availability of high quality Gaelic programmes using both broadcast and new media services. www.ccg.org.uk

21st February 2005

First up for this round of news a follow-up on last month's piece on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban; sadly the film failed to win any of the categories it was nominated for at the BAFTAs, but its makers received ample consolation when the film took the Orange Film of the Year Award as voted for by the public. So on to the Oscars now and fingers crossed for its two Academy Award Nominations for Original Score and Visual Effects.

Step by Step 2005 - The European script development programme is entering its tenth year and the organisers are looking for proposals for this year's event. Step by Step is a training and development project funded by the European Union's MEDIA section. For details on the programme and to download an application form visit their website www.stepbystep-programme.org

The tables are soon to be turned on those dedicated Loch Ness observers, the monster hunters. An IWC Media crew; Andrew Tullis (director), Jamie Balmant (producer) and Anne-Marie Lean-Vercoe (camera), were in Highlands for ten days at the start of February filming for Channel 4's documentary strand; The Other Side. This strand has been developed to give opportunities to first time filmmakers. IWC are particularly interested in Frank Searle; a regular on the loch from 1969 until his apparent disappearance in 1983. The hour long documentary has a projected broadcast slot in April/May.

19th January 2005

Welcome everyone to the revised Scottish Highlands & Islands Film Commission website. Revision work will be on going for a short while yet but our basic facilities are back online. Additions made during the update include: an Image Gallery, Film Funding advice, better and more wide ranging Weather and Area Fact sheets, and of course this News page. Please do bear with us while we complete our upgrade, as we are doing this for you. If you have any questions about the website or our services in general please get in touch.

Now it is that time of year again when film awards and nominations seem to be popping up all over the place. Amongst the most eagerly awaited anticipated of these are of course our very own British Academy Film & Television Arts Awards, the nominations for which have now been announced. There are four nominations for a film produced in the SHIFC area thanks to HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN.

Finally an addition to the Inverness office team, Lawrence Sutcliffe has been with the Commission for six months now on a work placement during which he has been busy reviewing and updating the Locations Database, and he is now also working on the website. Lawrence's background is in film archiving and he has a BA and MA in Film Studies.

News Archive

30th May 2006

MEDIA Roadshow 2006