Festivals made in London shipped to Scotland

The Edinburgh Film festival Is the oldest film festival in the world, honouring over 70 years.

However - The Edinburgh Film Festival has become “a festival made in London and then shipped up to Edinburgh Scotland”, according to Siobhan Sinnuck, the BBC media correspondent. She claims that all jobs and 90% of the Submissions are based outside of Scotland – with only one submission from Scotland. 

 

How can this be a stepping stone for Scottish film makers? Or be key to offering young people opportunities. Also these festivals are backed and funded by the tax payer via Creative Scotland funds. Jobs are not available to Scots. 

 

The BBC is also shutting down Scotland’s longest running soap, River City, another stepping stone here in Scotland for aspiring actors and film makers.  

This year the Film Festival 2025 will show the six Sean Connery Bond films, a documentary on Irvine Welsh, plus a premier by new director Renée Zellweger. The EFF website claims the festival is “rooted in local Scots contest whilst embracing the international diversity of creative expression.”

EFF 2025 offers - 

“Sean Connery Prize for Feature Filmmaking Excellence” – and a world class showcase for independent films.

 To embrace a sense of discovery, experimentation and cross-arts collaborations. 

https://www.edfilmfest.org

Sean Connery : Scots Hero

 

Sadly died. He was the best known Scot of recent times across the word as the most charismatic Bond.

He defined the role.

 

He was a true believer in Scottish independence and helped to campaign for the Scottish devolution vote in 1997.

For the restoration of our Scottish parliament he was the voice of the Pro-independence broadcasts. His involvement was a big boost for the SNP’s indy campaign.

Following Salmond’s election as party leader in 1990, Connery was the biggest force driving momentum. There was a Connery day when he scheduled a photo call with Gordon Brown on a boat flying a saltire in the Firth of Forth and headlined a cross party rally in the Old Royal High school – when he said – 

 

“The issue of self government went beyond any political party.” With 100 hours remaining he cautioned, “We don’t have much time.”

 

George Kerevan wrote, “Connery’s own time came to an end last Saturday but not before he made a lasting difference for Scotland.”