A COMMITMENT to nurturing new writing talent is beginning to pay off for a Scottish film production company.
In recent weeks, Glasgow-based Blindside Productions has seen three of its short films – each made using a combination of new writing and directing talent along with experienced technical crews and production – make their mark at film festivals around the world.
They are Saltmark, Rewind and Irene.
Saltmark is a debut drama from writer/director, Robin Haig, and is in competition for ‘Best newcomer’ at the Rushes Soho Short Film Festival in London this month.
Already, the film has already been well-received at Encounters Short Film Festival in Bristol, Filmfest Dresden and the Hamburg International Short Film Festival.
Plus this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival, which took place last month.
Rewind is another debut film, this time from theatre director, Cathie Boyd. It’s to have its world premiere, in Los Angeles next week, at Outfest 2009.
Written by Sonja Henrici, of the Scottish Documentary Institute, it involves cinematography by BAFTA winner, Neville Kidd, and a score by Golden Globe-winning composer, Craig Armstrong.
Irene – about director, Lindsay Goodall’s 92 year-old grandmother’s struggle with Alzheimer’s – has just won the ‘Best documentary’ prize at the 15th Palm Springs International Shortfest, thus qualifying it for automatic Academy Award consideration.
Last year, it was nominated for a Scottish BAFTA.
Says Blindside producer, Kat Hebden: “Blindside has been going only for three years, so we consider ourselves new talent, and we welcome scripts and projects from new writers and directors.”
Adds founder, David Hancock: “The success we’ve had with these three short films is due to the excellent calibre of new filmmakers we’ve chosen to work with, and our ability to pair them with established, award-winning creative and technical industry professionals.
“We are continuing our commitment to the development of new and emerging talent in Scotland with some really exciting new projects in the pipeline.”
