Edinburgh Napier University celebrated student films from around the world at the inaugural Napier Student Film Festival, held from 13 – 15th November 2024.
The event brought together student filmmakers, industry professionals, and film enthusiasts in a dynamic celebration of creativity and storytelling through the art of filmmaking.
Award Winners:
Best Film: “Yeehaw” by John Kelbie (Edinburgh Napier University)
Best Documentary: “New Town” by Campbell Anderson (Northern Film School)
Best Animation: “Someone Else’s Story” by Michal Lustig (Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design Jerusalem)
Best International Film: “Son of Happiness” by Dominik Mirecki (Warsaw Film School)
Best Napier Film: “Yeehaw” by John Kelbie (Edinburgh Napier University)
Evans Eghan, President of Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association (ENSA), said: “The Napier Student Film Festival is more than just a platform for showcasing student films; it’s a hub for creativity, collaboration, and growth.
“By bringing together filmmakers, academics, and industry professionals, we aim to foster a community where emerging talents can thrive and build connections that will shape their future careers.”
The festival, organised by ENSA, featured an array of engaging activities, including:
A masterclass on “Film as Therapy” facilitated by Dr Amy Beddows, exploring the transformative power of storytelling in fostering mental health and well-being.
An industry panel discussion on “How to Get a Job in Film”, offering valuable insights into career pathways within the creative sector and connecting students with industry leaders.
Film screenings. A total of 25 films were shortlisted out of over 200 entries from talented student filmmakers from different universities across the UK and globally. The line-up of film screenings also included 4 films from students at Napier’s international partner universities.
Networking opportunities, fostering connections between emerging filmmakers, departments within the university, and industry professionals.
The festival culminated in an exciting awards ceremony, celebrating outstanding achievements in student filmmaking.
The events not only highlighted the immense talent of student filmmakers but also encouraged collaboration across departments and with external partners. Attendees and participants offered resounding praise, commending the festival’s impact on fostering talent, creating networking opportunities, and elevating the role of film in education and community building.
Looking ahead, the festival aims to become a cornerstone event within the university and the wider Edinburgh community. Plans for future editions include expanding the festival’s reach, enhancing collaborations with local creative industries, and positioning Edinburgh Napier as a leading institution for nurturing creative talent.
On Friday night, the winners of this year’s prestigious Gaelic short film competition, FilmG, were announced to an audience of almost 500 filmmakers, industry professionals, and FilmG devotees.
The event took place in the Lomond Auditorium of the SEC in Glasgow and was hosted by BBC ALBA stars Lana Pheutan and Hannah McKirdy who saw winners crowned across 16 categories.
Taking top spot in the under 18 competition was Parker Dawes who won the Best Film for Iomlaineachd (Perfection).
This is the second year in a row that Dawes has picked up the Best Film Award, a testament to his Gaelic storytelling ability and continued investment in his craft, earmarking him as one of Scotland’s best young film talents.
Parker Dawes, Best Film winner (-18), said: “It was an amazing night and it was great that people had the opportunity to view and appreciate my film.
“I enjoy entertaining people with my stories and competitions like FilmG enable me to do this and to pursue filmmaking which is something I really love. This is my second year winning, but it still came as a big surprise – it’s still sinking in!”
Securing first place in the over 18 category for Best Film was Kayleigh Bell’s documentary, Sealladh mo Sheanair, which explores her “Grandfather’s Perspective” through a series of interviews. This is Kayleigh’s first win in this category at the FilmG Awards.
Kayleigh Bell, Best Film winner (18+), said: “I’m quite shocked I won – I thought all the nominees were fantastic. I still can’t quite believe it.
“It’s my first time winning FilmG ever and I’m so glad it was with a personal story – my Granda would have been very proud and I think he’d be very happy to see himself on TV. This win has been really encouraging – I’ve definitely got lots of ideas and plans for next year’s competition.”
Other winners include Thurso High School who won the new Inspiration Award in the under 18 competition for their film, Ar Sealladh aig Àrd-sgoil Inbhir Theòrsa, a documentary that explores the views of Thurso’s teachers and pupils on Gaelic medium education.
The Inspiration Award in the over 18 competition went to Edinburgh-based filmmaker, Luca Kerr, for his horror Campachadh (Camping).
Glasgow-based production company, Lost Rollerskate Pictures, picked up the award for Best Story (-18) for their film, A bheil thu an sin? (Are you there?). This is the first year the production company entered FilmG, headed up by high school student, Tomas Dimbleby Weber.
Individual prizes went to Inverness filmmaker Rachel Urquhart who won the Technical Excellence Award (18+) for her work on her documentary, Còisir – Mgr M!, about the impact of Mr MacMillan and his choir at Inverness Gaelic Primary School. The Rionnag Award (-18), for the best off-screen contribution, went to polyglot Jasmine Krzyzanowska-Pawlak from Millburn Academy in Inverness – who is learning Gaelic as her third language – for her camera work on Sealladh na Bànrigh.
Last year’s Best Performance winner, Finlay Morrison, has once again won the award in the under 18 competition, however, this year he shares the accolade with his brother Calum for their performances in the comedy, Bràthair Mòr Nan Gàidheal!!.
In the over 18 competition, the Best Performance Award was won by Evie Waddell, a Gaelic and Scots singer hailing from Stirlingshire, for her film, Fios no Fois. Her film explores the confusions of deaf experience through Gaelic song, accompanying choreography, and BSL.
There were also two winners for the FilmG Choice Award – the only awards selected by public vote via the FilmG website. In the under 18 competition the winner was Sgoil Lionacleit, on the Isle of Benbecula, for their moving film, Aillse, Sealladh Marsaili, which explores Marsaili’s journey with cancer from a young age.
In the over 18 competition, Skye’s Niamh MacKinnon took home the Choice Award for her film, Glac an Latha, which encourages everyone to embrace the present.
A highlights programme will be shown on BBC ALBA at 8pm this evening (Sunday 25 February). Watch live on BBC ALBA or on demand on BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001wsfr.
The livestream of the whole event is also available now on the BBC ALBA YouTube channel.
FilmG Project Manager, Megan Dale, said: “What a brilliant night! We’re still reflecting on the wealth of talent and enthusiasm displayed during the FilmG Awards.
“2024 has been a year of firsts for FilmG; we had our first entrants from Canada; it was our first year at the SEC; we had new presenters; and our biggest-ever audience of 500 attending the awards. Our bigger venue meant that more nominees and FilmG enthusiasts could attend the awards and this added a real buzz to the event.
“A huge congratulations to all the nominees and winners – it was fantastic seeing them all dressed up for the awards night and it truly felt like the Gaelic Baftas.”
MG ALBA’s Head of Publishing, Maggie Taylor, said: “A huge congratulations to all our nominees and winners – what a brilliant night celebrating the best of Gaelic storytelling.
“What becomes evident – looking at the talented list of FilmG winners – is that Gaelic storytellers hail from all over Scotland. We have winners from Thurso, Inverness, Skye, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and the Western Isles.
“A big thank-you to Lana and Hannah who did a fantastic job at keeping the room captivated whilst presenting awards to the next generation of Gaelic filmmakers. Hopefully nights like the FilmG Awards encourage Gaelic speakers to continue making films and that their stories and voices are incredibly important in shaping Scotland’s storytelling.”
A full list of films from FilmG can be found at www.filmg.co.uk.
Three Edinburgh College TV graduates will walk the red carpet at the BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards later this month after receiving nominations for their film and writing work.
Michal Wdowiak, Wayne Mazadza and Scott Willis – all graduates from the HND Television course at the college – have made the list of nominees for the awards, which celebrate the best rising talent in Scottish film, TV and game production.
Michal has been shortlisted in the Editor and Writer categories for a short drama, Yogi, which he shot in Edinburgh last summer during his time at Edinburgh College. Yogi (above) tells the story of a man who wanders the streets, breaking into flats in search of food and comfort.
Scott is nominated in the Factual category for his personal documentary Dear Peter, (above) inspired by his journey to track down the owner of a collection of handwritten postcards. Dear Peter is also the winner of the Scottish Audience Award at this year’s Glasgow Short Film Festival.
Wayne is nominated in the Editor category for Microcosm, a documentary he made since graduating from the college. The story is told first-hand by a man called Colin, who reflects on his past life and his home in Hamilton Wynd.
Michal and Wayne both graduated from Edinburgh College last year, and Scott completed the same course in 2010.
Michal is now employed as a cinematographer for a production company, The Gate Films, in Manchester. Wayne is in year two of his studies at Edinburgh College of Art, while Scott finished at ECA two years ago and continues to produce his own films that have been televised and screened at international film festivals.
He said: “I am incredibly pleased to be nominated for the BAFTA award for my final college drama – I definitely didn’t expect to be nominated as a writer. This was the first script I have ever written and English is not my first language. I hope it is a good sign for the future.
“I had just moved to a different city for work after college and I was busy settling in. I owe my lecturer Fergus Robb a big thank you for mentioning this opportunity to me.”
Scott said: “Dear Peter is a documentary that’s very personal to me so the nomination has encouraged me to remain honest to my vision as a filmmaker. I am grateful to have studied at Edinburgh College. Fergus was influential in developing my understanding of storytelling and gave me practical knowledge on how to communicate through moving image.”
Fergus Robb, Creative Industries lecturer at the college added: “These guys were all excellent and highly motivated students, and aware of the opportunity the course afforded them to develop their skills and explore their potential as filmmakers. I’m delighted to see them do so well.”
The BAFTA Scotland New Talent Awards 2016 take place on Thursday 14 April at Drygate Brewery in Glasgow.
Screen Education Edinburgh are running the next round of CashBack for Creativity film projects, with the first target areas being North Edinburgh and West Edinburgh …
Aged 14-19? Interested in learning how to make your own short film?
This 8 week course will introduce you to the basics of storytelling, camera, sound, acting, directing and editing. You will then have the opportunity to shoot your own short film using professional cameras and with the support of our filmmaker tutors. No previous experience is required and it’s free to take part!
This course is accredited with an Explore Level Arts Award (eqv. to SCQF Level 3)
Any questions? Contact Laura McBride – laura@screen-ed.org – 0131 343 1151
Taster Sessions
Come and find out more about the course, meet others who are interested and have a go at writing, shooting and editing a 1 minute film in a 4 hour taster session.
Edinburgh North and Leith
Friday 6 March – 2pm-6pm @ Out of the Blue 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh EH6 8RG – Click HERE for directions
Saturday 7 March – 1pm – 5pm @ Screen Education Edinburgh
30 Ferry Road Avenue, EH4 4BA – Click HERE for directions
Edinburgh West
Friday 6 March – 2pm – 6pm @ Venue in Gorgie TBC
Saturday 7 March – 1.30pm – 4.30pm @ Wester Hailes Library 1 Westside Plaza Edinburgh, Midlothian EH14 2ST – Click HERE for directions
Further dates will be announced for Edinburgh East and Central, Edinburgh South, East Lothian, West Lothian, Midlothian and Forth Valley. Sign up below and we’ll get in touch when we’re in your area!
Edinburgh College Inner City Arts students will make film of Irvine Welsh short story The State of the Party
A BAFTA-winning director has launched his second film course at Edinburgh College for young and unemployed people, with the help of the iconic Scottish writer Irvine Welsh.
Muirhouse man Garry Fraser (pictured above), who won the Scottish Newcomer BAFTA in filmmaking in 2013 and has had his film Everybody’s Child broadcast on the BBC, set up the Inner City Arts course for young people from poverty-stricken areas in Edinburgh. The filmmaking course aims to prevent young people from becoming involved in self-destructive lifestyles of gangs and drug abuse.
This year, Inner City Arts students will not only work alongside an internationally respected film director but will also get the chance to bring the work of one of Scotland’s best writers to life, by adapting Irvine Welsh’s short story The State of the Party. As part of the course, the students will devise a screenplay and learn how to use filming and editing equipment to bring the story to the big screen. Students will receive expert guidance from Garry – the college’s filmmaker in residence – and they will also get the chance to consult with and speak to Irvine Welsh using video link-up in the classroom.
Using social media, Garry sparked up a conversation with Welsh about his latest course at Edinburgh College over Twitter. Garry – who is from the same area as Welsh in Muirhouse and similarly uses his background and upbringing as a source of inspiration in his work – asked if his students could use The State of the Party as the script for his latest film. The writer not only gave his permission for the students to recreate the story in film but also offered to speak to the students to offer his expertise and advice!
Irvine Welsh said: “I’m delighted to be involved in this project and honoured to have the Edinburgh College Inner City Arts students work with Garry Fraser on The State of the Party. Garry is an astonishingly talented and driven filmmaker, and intimately understands the darkness and humour of the piece. He’ll be both inspirational to, and inspired by, the young people he’ll be working with on the project.
“The State of the Party is a drug-fuelled parable about two young men’s descent into a hyper-real urban hell, and based on the dark premise that ‘no good deed goes unpunished’ and things are never so bad that we can’t make them worse, through our own muddled decision making. I’m very excited to see their interpretation of this story.”
Garry Fraser said: “I’m very excited to launch the next Inner City Arts course and give the group of young people the chance to work on one of Irvine Welsh’s short stories. The students can relate to Irvine’s work because he uses Scots language, showing that screenwriting is within reach to these young people who speak with the same voice – and that art isn’t just open to an elite few. I believe that art can break down barriers and free a troubled and creative mind, which is why these courses can really be life changing for young people who are from a similar background to my own – to give them hope and the option of a better future.”
“For me, getting into filmmaking was either life or death. If I hadn’t discovered it, I wouldn’t be where I am today. It was brilliant to see the students develop skills and confidence in their abilities during last year’s course. This year, the course will focus more on developing practical skills in filmmaking and the skills to empower the students.”
Conner Dickson, who is 15 years old and took part in last year’s Inner City Arts course, said: “I was always interested in acting before the course but I wasn’t sure how to get into it. I gained a lot of confidence on the course and came out of my shell as it went on. I felt I could say anything in front of Garry as he’s in the same boat as all of us and has similar life experiences. I wasn’t afraid to act in front of the camera and take part in the improvisation sessions, and actually discovered I was pretty good at it. I’m now looking at getting into acting and have applied for courses at college too.”
Ray McCowan, vice principal education leadership at Edinburgh College, said: “We need committed individuals like Garry to provide support to young and unemployed people. The young people he works with see him as a role model and a sign of what can be achieved through getting a solid education.
“This is just one of the brilliant examples of the work the college is doing to engage with young and unemployed people on its doorstep. Colleges play a crucial role in enabling people from all backgrounds to improve their lives, and we are confident that the course will again be a big success.”
Places are still available on the Inner City Arts course. To apply, or if you have any queries, please contact Garry Fraser by email at:Garry.Fraser@edinburghcollege.ac.uk.
Edinburgh University’s Edinburgh College of Art Degree Show opens this morning and runs until 9 June.
Extra-large kitchen utensils, woodland explorations and exorcisms are just some of the things to experience at this year’s early summer ECA Degree Show. The College of Art in Lauriston Place has been transformed into the capital’s biggest gallery space as it celebrates the work of more than 500 graduating artists, film makers, designers and architects.
This year’s graduates have assembled a wonderfully diverse and imaginative exhibition which covers the whole arts and design spectrum. Creative, challenging, entertaining and thought-provoking, there’s something here for everyone in an exhibition that’s not to be missed.
Young filmmakers at Screen Education Edinburgh in Pilton were joined by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill today. Mr MacAskill joined some of the young people in the edit suites as they edited the short films they have been making, before watching four completed films.
Fifty young filmmakers – aged between twelve and 19 – are participating in Xpress Yourself, a project run by Screen Education Edinburgh and supported by Creative Scotland’s CashBack for Creativity programme. Working with the professional support of the Screen Education Edinburgh team based in Ferry Road Avenue, the youngsters have been learning the technical aspects of filmmaking and shooting short films as part of the Xpress Yourself project.
Four groups – the Hearts Filmmaking Group, Hibs Filmmaking Group, Wellington School and The Broomhouse Centre – have been meeting weekly since last autumn to devise, plan and shoot short films. The filming has now been completed and seven films are now in editing stage.
CashBack for Creativity re-invests the monies seized from criminals back into cultural activities for young people across Scotland. The programme is supported by the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities Initiative.
Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill said: “Recycling cash from the proceeds of crime into arts and cultural activities gives our young people the chance to get creative and broaden their horizons. The Xpress Yourself project is an excellent opportunity for our young people to work on film and digital media projects with industry professionals and perhaps become Scotland’s next screen talent.
“The Creative Scotland project has been funded by the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities programme which is helping more young people than ever before. Since 2007 a massive £50 million of cash seized from criminals has directly benefited over 600,000 young people and generated over 11,000 volunteers from different backgrounds who are now putting something back into their communities across Scotland.”
Script and directing tutor Graham Fitzpatrick, producer and mentor Sarah Drummond and technical tutor Steven Abercromby-Cook worked with the young filmmakers to help them bring their ideas to the screen.
Graham, who is Screen Education Edinburgh’s Creative Manager, said: “As one of the foremost providers of film-making education for young people in Scotland, we have been delighted to educate and nurture the latest participants in our CashBack for Creativity Programme. Over the months the young people have been learning about all aspects of short film-making, from screenwriting to final edit, devising and shooting seven short films. Not only has their knowledge and skills been enhanced but their confidence and aspirations for the future have grown throughout.”
Participant Louis Clark, who is a college student, said: “The whole thing has been amazing. The course has been the best filmmaking experience I have had. The teaching is of such a high standard that I now feel confident that I can pursue this as a career and have the skills and knowledge to back it up.”
David McDonald, Youth Arts Manager at Creative Scotland said: “This project has given the young people taking part the opportunity to put their enthusiasm, fantastic imagination and willingness to learn into making these short films. They’re also picking up a wide range of practical filmmaking skills along the way, which will benefit them in the future. I can’t wait to see the finished films!”
You don’t have too long to wait, David – the films will be showcased in a premiere at the Filmhouse cinema at the end of April!
