Scottish Films Galore!
- This week will see the world premieres of two of our brandnew Bridging the Gap: SHIFT films: Jimmy, by Martin Smith - a moving film about the tireless work of disabled rights campaigner Jimmy McIntosh, MBE, and The Perfect Fit, by Tali Yankelevich: It's about a part of the ballet world even Black Swan did not reveal to us: Who actually makes those uncomfortable point shoes? Well there's only one factory in the whole of UK, and one special shoemaker, as you will find out! Bridging the Gap's key supporter has again been Creative Scotland, who recently launched their new film and arts funds, in case you haven't had a look yet.
Jig by Sue Bourne (Wellpark Scotland) is continuing its breathless UK/Ireland release. It gets a screening during Sheffield Doc/Fest as well, and is now in cinemas in USA. It's fantastic to have two Scottish feature docs out and about at the same time. You can follow Jig's movements on its UK or US website. We're also proud that it was associate produced by the multi-talented & Glasgow-based Ruth Reid, who has just finished directing a Bridging the Gap for us, Nightshift.
Then, right after Sheffield we have, on our doorstep, of course the legendary Edinburgh International Film Festival from 15 to 26 June. After carrying around EIFF festival bags year on year, we look forward to its new edition – and a new bag! EIFF has entirely revamped its programme with new director James Mulligan, and will test a host of new venues, like The Teviot as the Industry Centre (known to many as a major Fringe venue during August) where, incidentally, we will also host The Edinburgh Pitch on 14th June (please sign up for last minute Observer seats here) and George Square Theatre, where we will have our Bridging the Gap 'Shift' screening followed by drinks on 23 June, 2.15pm. In fact, no more walking along the desolate stretch that was Fountainbridge in order to get to Cineworld, as no films will be screening there at all this year.
Other news is that our most industrious MA/MFA documentary graduates at Edinburgh College of Art/Screen Academy Scotland, who we regularly see coming out of their editing suites late at night, have banded together to form a collective, Wee Red Films. They're proudly putting on an industry screening during EIFF as well - Scottish Stories: Documentary Films from ECA. Don't miss this outstanding bunch of short docs if you're in Edinburgh - some of them have already hit the international festival circuit, and won awards at Full Frame and San Francisco.
I'm sorry, the list continues, but I'll be brief:
We are thrilled to know that Palm Springs ShortFest loves a 'Surprise', and no less than four of our Bridging the Gap films will be showing in the heat of California later this month: Get luder, PS: Your Mystery Sender, Twinset and Surpriseville.
Silverdocs is also showing Lost Every Day, Surpriseville, Twinset, and Humanoids. We look forward to some New York Rooftop screenings, and last but not least, some screenings of Bridging the Gap and Dhaka Stories films at the London Open City Festival next week.
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