Sacred Skin, dir. Barnum Nixon-Smith 3

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Showcase of Masters Film Programmes

Screen Academy Scotland are pleased to share an online film showcase, presenting work from Masters students of the MA Film, MA Screenwriting, MFA Advanced Film Practice, and European Masters programmes. Spanning over ten years of films, this collection highlights the creative approaches and perspectives of emerging filmmakers. Watch engaging narratives and explore the techniques shaping the future of cinema in Scotland and beyond. Join us in celebrating these talented students and their unique storytelling.

Hula

Hula is a gently humorous drama about unhappy divorcee Clara. Reluctant to engage within her Highland community, she sets up her empty-nest home as a B&B. Her first guest is an artist who introduces her to change by rearranging the bedroom feng shui style. Next, a pair of elderly tourists painfully remind her of the joys of love. Finally a hillwalker, as lonely as she is but not nearly so stuck, initiates an evening of unexpected hilarity which spurs her onwards to a new, ultimately more promising phase in her life.

Programme: MFA Advanced Film Practice

Director: Robin Haig

Producer: Lindsay McGee

2016

I'm In Away From Here

Lying by a stream that tunnels towards the sea, away from the world’s din, Archie is interrupted again. Reluctantly he emerges from his head and is set back on his usual pattern. Then, stuck in the middle of a pointless game at the youth centre he makes a choice to deviate from the uninvited tumult. Without leaving his head, Archie puts his headphones on and dares himself to follow a fellow outsider. He finds himself in a strange place where he is forced to adjust quickly, so he absorbs himself in something that both excites and numbs his head and ends with an unexpected confrontation.

Programme: MFAAFP

Director: Catriona MacInnes

2008

Léthé

Léthé is an invitation to go astray, an invitation to forget oneself, embarking with our vagrant protagonist as he searches to forget his past.

Programme: MFAAFP

Director: Alex Nevill

2013

Pablo's Winter

Pablo needs to stop smoking. Why? Because his wife, family and doctor say he should. But Pablo is a stubborn man. He’s worked in the mercury mines of Almadén, Spain, risking his life daily, he’s had five severe heart attacks and smoked 20 Winston’s a day since he was 12. Now in his seventies, Pablo spends most of his day in front of the TV, surrounded by a cloud of smoke, with his back turned firmly towards a village that has lived through better times.

Programme: MFAAFP

Director: Chico Pereira

2012

Candeline

The lives of three men, Daniele, Antonio and Giovanni are interwoven and all intersect with emotional results on the birthday of little Elisa.

Programme: MA Film

Director: Asiyat Gamzatova

Producer: Reece Cargan

2018

Event Horizon

Summer 1997, in a small village in Scotland where nothing ever happens and the days all resemble themselves, a strange cosmic event comes to disrupt Julianne’s boring everyday life.

Programme: MA Film

Director: Josefa Celestin

Producer: Margarita Veberaite

2015

Patata Tortilla

A short film teaser for the feature film Pikadero. Ane and Gorka travel to a sex hotel in the mountains in order to consummate their relationship. However, things are never as easy as they seem and they end up questioning the meaning of their fledgling relationship.

Programme: MA Film

Director: Ben Sharrock

Producer: Irune Gurtubai

2014

The Good Spirit

Noor, a 20 year-old girl living in the conservative city of Gaza, finds a wounded dog and without hesitation takes it in. How will her decision affect the family dynamic?

Programme: MA Film

Director: Razan Madhoon

Producer: Sean Hind

2016

The Gurney

Tells the story of the relationship between death row warden, Albert Gilmore, and Aleisha Edwards, a young black woman on death row, convicted for the fatal shooting of the officer who killed her husband.

Programme: MA Film

Director: Glen Whelan

Producer: Darel Kirk Lambert

2017

Butterflies

Written, directed and produced by international students on the Kino Eyes programme while based in Edinburgh. Cinematography by our student Antonio Pozocević as part of his MFA Advanced Film Practice degree.

Programme: Kinoeyes – European Masters & MFAAFP

2023

Fender Bender

Written, directed, produced with editing and sound by five international Kino Eyes students based in Edinburgh. Cinematography from a former Napier MA Film student. Made quickly with local actors, this was a fresh, student-led project made at the very end of their final semester.

Programme: Kinoeyes – European Masters

2023

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/// Film Catalogue

Catalogue

Screen Academy Scotland, housed within Edinburgh Napier University, has built a rich film catalogue since 2005. This impressive collection showcases the diverse talents and evolving narratives explored by student filmmakers. For those interested in the trajectory of Scottish cinema, the catalogue offers a valuable glimpse into the creative minds shaping the industry’s future.

Spanning nearly two decades, the catalogue boasts a wide range of genres. From thought-provoking documentaries that delve into social issues to heart-warming comedies and suspenseful thrillers, there’s something for every cinephile. Filmmakers have explored themes relevant to contemporary Scotland, tackling topics like identity, immigration, and the environment.

The catalogue isn’t just a platform for budding directors. It also serves as a launchpad for aspiring actors. Each film becomes a testament to the collaborative spirit fostered at Screen Academy Scotland, showcasing the synergy between storytelling and performance. By delving into the catalogue, viewers can witness the emergence of actors who might soon be gracing mainstream screens.

The Screen Academy Scotland film catalogue isn’t simply an archive. It’s a testament to the ongoing evolution of Scottish filmmaking. By exploring the works created between 2015 and the present, viewers can track the artistic development of student filmmakers. Year by year, the catalogue reflects a growing confidence in storytelling, technical mastery, and a willingness to experiment with form and genre.

This collection holds historical significance as well. Films from past years offer a snapshot of Scottish society and culture during a specific period. They capture the anxieties, aspirations, and preoccupations of a generation, providing valuable insights for future film historians.

While the vast majority of the catalogue might not be readily available to the general public due to copyright restrictions, Screen Academy Scotland does host regular showcase events. These events offer a fantastic opportunity to experience a curated selection of films and witness the exciting future of Scottish cinema firsthand.

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