Hebridean festival set to tour islands

Focus on stories of environment and indigenous community

by Jennie Kermode

The Road Dance
The Road Dance

This year's Hebrides International Film Festival (HIFF) is to have a special focus on focus on global stories of environment and indigenous community, it has been revealed. It will include a screening of new Maori drama Muru alongside Syrian refugee saga Exodus and Native American documentary Inhabitants: Indigenous Perspectives On Restoring Our World.

The festival will also include a showcase of Andy Mackinnon's ambitious new project Cinema Sgìre, which seeks to digitise over 100 videotapes produced by communities across the Outer Hebrides- from Ness to Vatersay- in the 1970s, a chance for community venues to experience the latest in VR technology. It features feature intimate insights into the traditional ways of community life, including blacksmithery, tweed making and sheep shearing. There will also be an opportunity to see archive film from Berneray.

Muru
Muru

Recent works with Hebridean films include drama The Road Dance and documentary Stuff The World Is Made Of, while attendees can also enjoy recent hits Aftersun, Belfast, The Quiet Girl and The Banshees Of Inisherin. Younger viewers can look forward to animations Oink and Luca and live action/CGI adventure Lyle, Lyle Crocodile.

"We are thrilled that the Hebrides International Film Festival is returning to bring great film stories from across the world to our island audiences in the Hebrides," said festival programmer Muriel Ann Macleod. "This year’s festival shines a light on contemporary stories of change, both in how we are all negotiating dealing with environmental issues as systems change and cultures struggle to continue.

"Our programme reflects a diversity in island and First Nation experiences around the world and right here at home, including Maori, Canadian and Gaelic stories. We are offering Hebridean cinema goers a festival packed with ideas, insight and ultimately positive solutions for climate action and social change. Our Film Festival aims to reach our island audiences in their community venues to support film events in rural locations and encourage the wonderful volunteer promoters in these venues to screen more films."

The festival will run from 15 to 20 May in 10 venues across the Outer Hebrides from Ness in Lewis, to Castlebay in Barra, with stops in Harris and Uist. Further details can be found here.

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