Highland film-making project throwing focus on re-awakening creativity in older people culminates in well-received screening at Eden Court in Inverness
FASCINATING short films produced from scratch by Highlanders offered the chance to reawaken their creativity were hailed at their screening in Inverness last week.
Re-Awakening Creativity – Older People making Films was supported by Screen Scotland and facilitated by members of Eden Court’s Engagement Team.
The pioneering new filmmaking programme was specifically aimed at the more mature members of the region who might not have had the chance to be creative for a while or had never had the chance to make a film of their own.
One film tackled one man's successful fightback against depression while another looked at the impact of family member going missing. There was a spooky experimental short shot in Tornagrain which made good use of special effects and another charting the remarkable return to fitness of Highland Cross participant Mark Georgeson after a horrific accident.
Another documentary told of a retired eye surgeon Dr Ian Whyte's 's return to his early love of art.
Drew Tremlett, engagement producer in film at Eden Court, explained the aims of the project. "Eden Court has a very broad studio programme in creative areas such as dance, drama and theatre which provides regular access to creativity for a wide range of participants. However currently our filmmaking provision tends to cater for young people and this is something we are keen to address. Through support gratefully received from Screen Scotland we were able to offer this nine-week filmmaking programme which enabled each participant to write and direct a personal film project of their own."
The films produced ranged from spooky experimental dramas to personal documentaries all devised from scratch by the participants.
Jo Cowan, one of the filmmakers said: "It was fabulous seeing everyone's films. They were all so interesting and varied. I know that my guests really enjoyed them.
“We very much hope that this programme will become a permanent part of our studio programme and provide ongoing access to filmmaking opportunities for more members of our region."
