Close-up on UHI films at this year's Inverness Film Festival with two student showcases

There's a big screen debut for drama and film graduates from the University of the Highlands and Islands who will make their debut at the 19th Inverness Film Festival in November.

Short films by students on the BA (Hons) contemporary film making in the Highlands and Islands course at North Highland College UHI will premiere at the La Scala cinema at Eden Court Theatre on Saturday, November 6 as part of a student showcase.

This will be followed on Sunday, November 7 by Swansong, a showcase of short films by BA (Hons) drama and performance graduates from Inverness College UHI.

The showcase features original solo work devised, performed and produced by this year's graduates Alina Ben Larbi, James Reilly, Paulina Pruciak, Bradley Reid and Luke Carmichael, as part of their final year module.

The works range in subject and theme from mystery and sci-fi to stories of love, loneliness, and lockdown.

Paul MacDonald Taylor, director of Inverness Film Festival, said: "Inverness Film Festival is delighted to be linking up with the drama and film students across the University of the Highlands and Islands partnership.

At the festival we have always screened the best new short films from around Scotland, so to be able to look at the new generation of filmmakers from Inverness and the Highlands is really exciting.

"We are looking forward to this partnership for years to come."

Drama graduate James Reilly said: "It is a great honour to represent Inverness College UHI and to have my film ‘Gone' included in the festival, alongside work by my incredibly talented classmates.

"It's exciting to see work produced as part of your degree used in an amazing film festival like this.

"I hope that this shows potential students not only how enjoyable the process of creating a film is, but also how rewarding it can be if you're really put your passion into it."

Dr Lesley Mickel, programme leader for drama, added: "I am absolutely delighted that our graduates will get to see their work on the big screen.

"They have worked incredibly hard this year through challenging circumstances, and this is a fantastic opportunity for them to showcase their talents to a wider audience."

Inverness Film Festival runs November 5 to 11 at Eden Court Theatre. Visit www.eden-court.co.uk for more information.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.