Reel opportunity for Irish and Scots filmmakers

Inaugural festival aims to celebrate youth and culture.

by Amber Wilkinson

Young Irish and Scottish film-makers are getting a chance to showcase their work thanks to a new festival.

Reel 2006 is the first Ireland Scotland Film Festival, specifically designed to celebrate youth and two unique cultures. It offers an opportunity to view Scottish and Irish films side by side.

Jointly organised by Edinburgh Filmhouse and the Consulate of Ireland to Scotland, REEL 2006 aims to give new opportunities young people in Scotland and Ireland to turn their ambitions into reality.

Filmhouse's James McKenzie, said: "REEL 2006 delivers a festival programme to inspire and celebrate Irish and Scottish talent and bring young Irish and Scottish filmmakers together for the first time at Filmhouse.

"This is a unique, first opportunity to demonstrate Ireland and Scotland's rich, cultural contribution through film.

"Our aim is to involve the next generation of filmmakers on both sides of the water as they are the ones who will drive the future of Irish Scottish creative thinking and film production."

Cliona Manahan, Consul General of Ireland added: "We believe it is now timely to focus yet more attention on our lively, bilateral cultural relations and this first REEL 2006 will focus on our vibrant, indigenous film industries.

"It is vital that we identify, inspire and nurture the creative and practical energies in Ireland and Scotland, and so encourage young Scottish and Irish filmmakers from all social backgrounds."

The event will run from Saturday 28 October until Thursday 9 November at Edinburgh's Filmhouse.

Reel Highlights include previews of Night People, The Rocket Post, The Flying Scotsman.

Personal appearances include: Damien O'Donnell, Adrian Meade, Bernard McLaverty, Perry Ogden, May Miles Thomas and finally Douglas MacKinnon.

The programme showcases the best of recent Scottish and Irish productions, from teenage filmmakers to student productions, independently produced short films, low budget feature and high profile feel-good movies. Themes explored include storytelling, poetry and literature in film, traveller culture and immigration.

A Filmhouse spokeswoman added: "The Festival aims to encourage the current and new generation of filmmakers by screening their work in Scotland 2006 and in Ireland 2007. This is the first Reel festival and it is planned to develop, strengthen and evolve this approach in the time ahead.

"Reel 2006 is keen to create a ground-breaking blueprint that in time could be successfully implemented in conjunction with other creative partners round the world.

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