THE programme for an environmental film festival in Scotland has been announced.
After a successful first year the LandxSea Film Festival will return to the state-of-the-art community-run Montrose Playhouse next month.
Co-produced by acclaimed filmmaker and podcaster Anthon Baxter and international film festival producer Rachel Caplan, the festival is set to take place between September 13 – 15 and will feature an array of films never before screened in Scotland.
The 2024 catalogue will open with the Scottish premiere of Billy & Molly: An Otter Love story, which was shot by filmmaker Charlie Hamilton James in Shetland.
The documentary follows the story of how a wild otter and a man form an unlikely bond, which ultimately transforms both of their lives.
It will also feature the UK premiere of Chasing Time, a new documentary about glaciers from the makers of the Emmy award winning Chasing Ice.
However, old favourites are also on the agenda with visitors able enjoy one-person screenings of Scottish classics Local Hero and You’ve Been Trumped from inside a red phone box.
“When we began the LandxSea Film Festival in Montrose last year, we knew we were starting something special,” said Baxter.
“The extraordinary audience response exceeded all our expectations, as visiting filmmakers shared their incredible films here in Montrose.
“This year, we are building on that foundation with an even more ambitious programme packed with amazing films from around the world.
“We hope these films will spark many conversations about the future of our planet.”
Other films set to feature include The Bough Breaks, a film which charts Alan Watson Featherstone’s efforts to restore Scotland’s ancient Caledonian forest, and Planet Wind, which follows renewable energy pioneer Andy Evans on a global journey to understand the power of offshore wind in crafting a sustainable future for humanity.
The festival will close with a screening the multi-award winning The Eagle with the Sunlit Eye, which documents the reintroduction of the white-tailed sea eagle to the UK and the ensuing controversy its presence caused in Scotland’s rural communities.
“It is an honour to continue our tradition of bringing films at the forefront of today's global environmental issues to Montrose, a community dedicated to climate compassion,” said Caplan.
“This year, we are thrilled to introduce the North Light Award, celebrating the best in Scottish environmental filmmaking.
“This award not only honours innovative storytelling but also shines a spotlight on the vital environmental issues that affect us all.
“We're proud to support filmmakers who are making a difference and look forward to sharing their powerful stories with the Montrose community.”
The full programme and details about tickets can be found at landxsea.org
Tickets for the festival will be available for purchase on August 12.
