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DUMFRIES SHORTS SCREENING AT EDINBURGH FILM FESTIVAL (press release 20/07/04)

Three short films made in Dumfries and Galloway will be screened at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, the world's most prestigious showcases for new talent that runs from Wednesday 18 to Sunday 29 August.

The first, Dansette, is a strange tale of social isolation, peer pressure and being in the Brownies. It was filmed at Colvend Public Hall in January, a location which proved perfect for the designers of the film, who were looking for a village hall interior that had not been modernised. Written and directed by Rosie Toner, this was her first attempt at making a short film.

Six Hours of Daylight, written and directed by Joseph Briffa, was given funding from Scottish Screen as part of its Cineworks programme to encourage new talent. This short film was set entirely in a forest, and was to be filmed over three nights, causing a few problems for producer Katie Nicoll. However Galloway Forest Park, with help from the Forestry Commission, proved the ideal location for what could have been a very difficult shoot. The short film was made over the May bank holiday weekend.

Student filmmaker Benjamin Kracun made Return, which was filmed in Ae Forest and at Windy Standard windfarm in April. Benjamin, who is from Ae, is studying at Napier University but decided to make his graduate film in the region as he felt it had the perfect locations for his script. Return is being screened at the Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre from Thursday 29 to Saturday 31 July along with a main feature, Shattered Glass. It is planned to screen the other two short films at the RBCFT later this year.

Film Officer, Belle Doyle, said:

"This region has a growing reputation as a location for short films. Scotland's output of short films is far higher than the rest of the UK, and a good short film is like a professional calling card to the film industry.

"Young directors and writers are keen to make short films but are often hampered by the logistics of trying to shoot in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Helping people at the start of their career means that they might very well return to the region with their first feature film script, once they know how film-friendly the region can be."

ENDS.

For further information please contact:
Belle Doyle on Tel: 01387 263 666 - Fax: 01387 263 666
Email: belled@dumgal.gov.uk

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