I was in Perth last weekend capturing the goings-on at the Scottish Youth Film Festival and came away smiling broadly and feeling revitalised. As a photographer at any event my job is to compose images that tell the story, and to do that well I think you really need to tune in to the vibe, listen to the conversations and feel a connection with the audience and the speakers as well as the team running things….but I didn’t expect to get quite so enthralled.
come to a workshop - get impaled
This wasn’t some self-congratulatory celebfest, but a practical hands-on series of workshops, panel conversations, outright silly fun and a showcase awards ceremony for the best films created by our young people. More than 250 travelled from all over Scotland – from Shetland to Dumfries – and were joined by actors, directors, producers, experts and professionals from Film, TV, Theatre and Games. The workshops were across a wide range from sound design, acting for screen, animation, scriptwriting, gruesome make-up, careers advice – but with added invaluable insights from working professionals who would answer ANY questions the kids could think of.
1st Assistant Camera Jonny Kerr, Camera Trainee Emily Ritchie & Director Andrew Cumming answer questions from the audience
Dave Barras and Scott Mackay founded the Scottish Youth Film Foundation charity and in 2023 partnered with the Sean Connery Foundation to take their work to new heights, into new classrooms and to fill more young minds with the power of the possible. The vibe at their festival was “Just try it” and the speakers and experts were saying “I’ve done it” and “this is how you can too.”
In a country where a government can just pull away the funding for creative organisations at the drop of a hat we should be very thankful for folk like David, Scott and the charity’s manager Heather Bowry for their relentless encouragement of Scotland’s youth, and for their own creative and persuasive skills in providing such a fantastic free resource for all of our young people.
Founders & Exec Directors Scott Mackay & David Barras with renowned actor and SYFF patron Andy Rothney
Being creative is a superpower that we have as kids but is too often drilled out of us by school and conforming to the norms of life. What was so very refreshing was to see creativity being celebrated, hear it being positively encouraged and feel the confidence in these young voices grow as the day progressed. The messages at this festival were loud and clear. Keep playing, experiment, do daft stuff, film it, write it, record and edit it. Take things you can only imagine and turn them into stuff we can see, hear and feel. Even ordinary folk can make magic.
Scottish Youth Film Foundation can be found at www.syff.scot
The nominees and award winners - from Shetland to Dumfries
A quick jaunt through some images from the festival